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."

"You don't have to get your hands dirty in this one. If you want, just sit back and enjoy the show. I'll have it handled in no

need me, you know you just

was her

have any plans this afternoon?" Silas

replied. "Now that I'm done with

keep you busy?"

"A little, yeah."

He clearly didn't love

at him. "Part of the job. But you're not going to forbid

miss you, that's all," Silas

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

home for dinner tonight," Silas said, softening a little. "I'll cook. What do

Calliope replied sweetly, flashing him one of her

"Really?"

my heart."

up at him,