Song of the Surf (Pacific Shores Book 3) by Lynnette Bonner

tears and caffeine, would they?
    Justus leaned over and nudged her. “Come on. It won’t be so bad.”
    Her lips thinned over her teeth in what she hoped at least partially resembled a smile of agreement.
    She was going to kill Marie.
    Justus rubbed his fingers over his upper lip and then stroked down around his chin. So he was going to have to dance with her. Well, that wouldn’t be so bad. He just needed to keep his emotions in check. Remind himself that she only wanted to be friends. Keep things light. He could do that.
    But judging by the look on Dakota’s face, she’d rather kiss a toad than spend time dancing with him, which he had to admit rubbed him a little raw. Maybe he should just lay things out on the table? Tell her he was interested in getting to know her better for more than just friendship?
    Before he could decide whether to say something to her right now, Marie stood and began directing traffic. “Darlene, thanks so much for making such a delicious brunch for us.”
    Darlene smiled and blushed, brushing away their applause and words of gratitude. “It was more than my pleasure. You all head on out to do the decorations, and as soon as I’m done here I’ll be along to help with the final details and for the rehearsal.”
    “Great… so”—Marie glanced from Jalen to Riley— “Riley do you mind giving Jalen a ride to the church and stopping at the Wedding Shoppe on the way to pick up the candles and decorations? Then he can help you get all the candelabras and stuff into your back seat?”
    Riley’s fist clenched into a white-knuckled ball on the table.
    Next to Justus, Dakota squirmed in her seat, a small frown puckering the yellow, bruised skin of her brow. Her blue eyes softened and filled with concern as she studied Riley, who remained quiet despite the fact that everyone was looking at her.
    Jalen’s jaw jutted off to one side, and Justus knew that memories of what had happened to his sister were probably at the forefront of his mind whenever he was around Riley.
    He turned his attention back to Dakota. He knew she hadn’t been doing this job very long. But it was obvious she cared for the woman across the table with every fiber of her being. How long had it been since he’d felt that way about any of his boys? He used to. Back in the beginning. Back when he had hope that he could make a difference. Now… He just wasn’t sure anymore.
    He darted a guilty look toward Jalen. Jalen would tell him he was an idiot to think he wasn’t making a difference. But Jalen hadn’t watched as Helene’s body was zipped into a black bag. He hadn’t stood by and seen the expressions on her parents’ faces when the police had given them the bad news. He hadn’t watched as Trey jumped the fence in his backyard just as a cop, with gun raised, yelled for him to stop…
    Justus scrubbed a palm across his forehead and forced his thoughts back to the present.
    Was there hope for a woman like Riley? Certainly not without the mercy of God.
    Considering the cast on Riley’s arm, her bruised eye, and the fact that she lived at House of Hope, it was obvious she’d suffered some sort of domestic abuse. If he remembered right, when he’d first met her last summer he’d had the impression she was expecting too. Based on all that, it was totally understandable that she’d be reluctant to ride alone in a car with a practical stranger – especially a man.
    But… he frowned… She’d ridden with Jalen to House of Hope to get her things, and then to the church to help him look over the sound system. Justus darted a glance at Jalen. Had he said something to make her uncomfortable? He knew the man wouldn’t have done anything to hurt her, but she certainly seemed a bit reluctant to go with him today.
    Dakota leaned forward. “Maybe I should ride with Riley, and Jalen can ride with Justus?”
    “No. It’s okay.” Riley shoved her hands into her lap, but not before Justus noticed they were trembling. “It