Read On His Honor for Free Online Page B

avoided danger himself when on the job, but when it came to his family, he was all protector, just like the rest of the men in the Montalvo/MacAllister family.
    “You miss it.”
    “Occasionally. The juice, the gamble…” Delilah sighed. “But you can’t have it all, at least not at the same time. My family’s the main thing, you know?” At his nod, she narrowed her eyes. “But you are developing the thousand-yard stare, my man. You need to tell Doc you’re done.”
    She might be right, but he wasn’t ready to pack it in, not while this case was open. He’d stood over the bodies of victims whose only mistake had been wanting a better life. They deserved justice. Anyway, what the hell else did he know how to do? “I’m fine,” he protested. “Just need some progress in the case.”
    “It’ll come.” She squeezed his arm then looked outward. “Amazing, isn’t it, how beautifully this place came together?”
    “Sophie’s amazing, that’s for sure. Cade made any headway on getting her to marry him yet?”
    “They’re taking it slow.” She shook her head. “Which is just crazy. When you know, you know.”
    “I don’t really believe in that meant-to-be stuff, but I have to say, this family can sure make you reconsider.” Both Cade and Sophie had gone through a lot before their paths had crossed, but they were a walking advertisement for the hand of fate. “So there goes the last MacAllister, down for the count.”
    “Except Jenna,” she reminded him.
    “Jenna’s too young to get married.”
    “She’s turning thirty today, I’ll remind you.” Her eyebrows rose. “How about you, Lover Boy? Any sweet thing caught your eye?”
    “All of them.” When she smacked his arm playfully, he chuckled. “I’m still young,” he teased, “unlike some of you, old married lady.”
    She didn’t rise to the bait, even though she was barely older than him. “Well, for that, sonny, this old lady is not going to introduce you to America’s Sweetheart. You’re on your own.” She tossed her mane of flame-red hair. “Me, I’m going to see if I can trap my husband behind one of these trees.” With a saucy grin, she sauntered away.
    JD watched her go with a smile. Instead of approaching the stranger in their midst, however, he veered off to the right, making a path toward his favorite girl, who stood with her back to him. He neared and bent over her shoulder. “Someone’s making time with your man. Now’s our opportunity to run away to South America.”
    Grace MacAllister, family matriarch, whirled. “JD! I’m so glad to see you!” She grasped his cheeks much as his own mother would and made him feel about ten years old when she put the slow mother-eye in motion and gave him the once-over. “What’s wrong? Are you eating well? Sleeping enough? You’re working too hard, aren’t you? Do I need to call Doc?”
    JD noted the amusement on the faces of the three sons standing with her. Every one of them understood her mama-bear nature. The entire family save Jenna towered over her, but she was the clear queen of the castle, the benevolent dictator who ruled with both unfettered love and an iron will.
    “You sure know how to ruin a good proposal,” he complained. “Here I am, inviting you to an exciting life of scandal and sin, and you completely blow me off. I’m wounded, Grace.”
    “Oh, pooh. You’re shameless, is what you are. But since I’ve already chatted with my boys—”
    “Chatted,” Cade objected. “Interrogated, is more like it. You should get Doc to hire her, JD. The rest of you could sit around and play cards while Mom solved your caseload. Meanwhile, we’d be off the hook.” He grinned at his mother, who rolled her eyes.
    “There’s an idea.” JD acknowledged Cade with a nod. “Haven’t gotten a ring on Sophie’s finger yet?”
    Cade shrugged. “Working on it.” But he didn’t look all that perturbed. He’d been at death’s door less than a year ago, and JD knew he