“Hi, Lily,” Rachel greeted Lily, ignoring Cash.
“You’re not eating?” Lily asked, looking down at the empty place in front of Rachel.
“I’m afraid to. There’s enough fatback in those dishes to take down a horse,” Rachel joked.
“I’m starved. I’ll be back in a minute.” Lily left, going to the different booths.
Shade and the rest of the men remained seated.
“Exactly when did you sneak out?” Cash asked, breaking his silence.
“Around two. Don’t worry. I didn’t walk home; Cheryl gave me a ride,” Rachel told him.
Cash didn’t look any happier with her answer. Rachel shrugged, clearly not concerned that Cash was still angry.#p#分页标题#e#
Beth gave her a wink while Shade and Razer shook their heads at each other. Beth was protective of Rachel because she was Lily’s age.
“You’re not hungry?” Rachel asked Beth.
“I’m with you. Thank God I’m not pregnant anymore and don’t get the cravings Lily does.”
The women turned to watch as Lily went from booth to booth, getting samples of everyone’s food.
“When did Brooke learn to cook beans and greens?” Rachel asked.
Shade was surprised the evil bitch could boil water.
“I have no idea,” Beth said then added, “You going to try it?”
“No, it would be too depressing if she can cook as good as she looks.”
Lily came back to the table with a huge plate, sitting down between her and Mag.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Rachel asked Cash.
“Later.” Cash was staring at the Freedom Riders who had sat down a few tables away.
“You don’t like them, do you?” Rachel questioned when she saw where Cash was staring.
“No.”
“Why? They seem friendly enough.”
“So was Ted Bundy.”
Shade agreed with Cash’s harsh comparison.
“I can’t eat anymore.” Lily pushed her plate away, looking queasy.
“You only ate a biscuit.” Rachel said.
Shade frowned, bringing his attention back to Lily. Her plate was practically untouched.
“I guess it’s not agreeing with the baby.” Lily turned green, getting up from the table with his help. Seconds later, she darted to the nearest restroom inside the church.
Shade stood beside the table. Lily hadn’t had an upset stomach since the early stage of her pregnancy. If she didn’t come out soon, he would check on her.
“No need wasting food.” Mag reached out, pulling the plate toward her.
“I heard things didn’t go well last night,” Beth broached the subject tentatively of Rachel attending her first Friday night party.
Rachel made a face. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“I was shocked the first time I went, too. I ended up leaving.” Beth’s face was red from embarrassment. “Lily ran back to college.”
“I tried to run, but Viper wouldn’t let me,” Winter gently butted into the conversation. “It was after my attack. Believe me, if I’d had use of my legs, he wouldn’t have been able to catch me, either.”
“I would have caught you,” Viper stated.
At that moment, Shade saw Mag pass out at the same time Beth screamed, her chair falling back.
“No!” Rachel screamed at the same time Beth yelled for someone to call nine-one-one.
Shade already had his phone out, dialing the number.
Mag had turned deathly pale and had passed out, her head falling back over the wheelchair. The men quickly pushed it back from the table, laying her on the ground. Beth frantically took her pulse while Shade moved Lily back as she came out of the restroom, turning her so she couldn’t see what was going on. Cash knelt by his grandmother, holding her hand.
“Her heart is racing,” Beth told Cash.
Rachel was staring down at Mag, crying. Going to her knees beside Mag, she laid her hand on her heart.
Shade could see she was going to try to help her the way she had helped Lily and Cash.
They all watched in amazement as Rachel used her gift to save the old woman. Whimpering cries passed her pale lips as she focused on her.
Shade moved Lily farther away as the ambulance arrived.#p#分页标题#e#
“What happened to her? She was fine when I went to the restroom,” Lily asked.
Shade looked down at her pale face. “Are you feeling better?”
Lily nodded, wincing. “I threw up. Something I ate must not have agreed with me.”
His eyes narrowed on her. “Stay here. Don’t move,” he ordered. Seeing Knox and Diamond on the edge of the group, he quickly walked toward the brother.
“Knox.” Shade stopped a few feet away.