A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

His eyes sparkled with laughter as he looked at her, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Fagan dropped them off at a cozy little bistro downtown.

Inside, the two of them grabbed a table and ordered lunch together.

As they waited for their burgers and fries, Calliope started telling Silas about the Jewell family drama.

She'd meant to handle it on her own, never really planned on involving Silas, but since he'd asked, she figured, why not let him in on it?

"They're trying to frame you and take everything you've got?" Silas frowned, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah." Calliope shrugged, picking at her salad. "But joke's on them. Grandpa didn't leave me much anyway. Most of what I have is either from my mom, my brothers, or stuff I earned myself."

She took a sip of her iced coffee, her tone calm and steady. “Trust me, I've got this under control."

"They're probably going to hold some big press conference," she went on, a wry grin forming. "I'll just show up with the evidence and ruin their little show."

her eyes twinkling. "You don't have to get your hands dirty in this one. If you want, just sit back and enjoy the show.

if you need me,

If I need you, I'll definitely call." She smiled warmly. He was her husband, after all, no shame in leaning on him if she really

have any plans this afternoon?"

got a casting session for a TV show," Calliope replied. "Now that I'm done with the

keep you busy?" Silas's

"A little, yeah."

touch sour. He clearly didn't love the idea of being apart from

him. "Part of the job. But you're not

all,"

the heart grow fonder." Calliope teased, all mock- seriousness. “Don't worry, I won't be

softening a little. "I'll cook. What do

love anything you make," Calliope replied sweetly,

"Really?"

my heart." She

up at him,