The Belle and the Beard by Kate Canterbary (good book club books .txt) 📕

"Wait a second. You're the one who said—about the senator?" Ash asked.

"How do you even know my brother? I don't understand how they know each other," Magnolia said to Rob. "Nothing makes sense right now."

"Watch yourself, Maggie," Linden said.

I was frozen stiff. Didn't move, didn't blink.

"What did I say?" she asked. "I said I don't understand anything and I just want someone to explain how you know this woman who is the modern day Joan of Arc, as far as some circles are concerned."

That seemed unlikely. Highly unlikely.

Ash wagged a finger at his sister. "Honestly, yes."

"Let's pass the rice, please," Diana said. "I don't cook rice so you can eat it cold."

I nearly laughed at that because I already loved this lady and her whole no bullshit except for the bullshit I want vibe. If I hadn't been completely frozen in panic, I would've passed the shit out of that rice for her.

Linden leaned in, his arm hooked over the back of my chair. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. That was the best I could do.

"I had no idea," Ash said with a slow shake of his head. "That day at the house, I had no idea."

"Are we talking about the candidate who dropped out of the presidential race? Like, a couple of weeks ago?" Zelda asked.

"Same one," Magnolia said to her. "Can we back up a second? What are you doing now, Jasper? What brings you to Massachusetts? And how do you know Lin?"

Rob lifted his wineglass. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

Carlo leaned forward, resting his forearms on either side of his plate. Diana rolled her eyes at that but didn't comment. Then he said, "Thanks for knocking that blowhard out of the race. I couldn't stand him."

After a beat, I laughed—hard. "You're welcome. I think."

"Okay, I really need the full story," Magnolia said. "Everything. Tell me everything."

"There is food on the table," Diana said. "And I did not invite Jasper here for you to grill her with your questions, Magnolia Lynn. As you're all well aware, we do not conduct business talk during supper. That goes for"—she glanced to me, her eyes politely dazed like she wasn't sure how to describe the squall I'd brought to her home—"political matters too."

"But I really want to know," Magnolia argued. "So does Dad."

"That entitles you to nothing," Linden said. His tone was absolutely lethal. I was actually surprised his family was still staring at us and not falling over, dead.

Suddenly, the freeze thawed enough to allow something inside me to click into place. I dug deep to find the smile I used to put others at ease, and the sweet, lilting tone that made everything I said sound gentle and complimentary. "I'm happy to offer some insight, aside from the pieces I've already shared publicly," I said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Though I couldn't bear to let this fabulous meal go cold."

"All I really need to know is how you and Linden are"—Rob gestured to us—"how this came to be."

"My goodness," Diana muttered as she pushed to her feet. She grabbed the rice and scooped some onto Ash's plate, then Zelda's. She went around the table, filling plates and murmuring about her family's sudden shortage of manners.

"I've decided to step away from Washington," I said. "Linden is my new next-door neighbor."

"Isn't that adorable?" Magnolia squealed. "It's adorable."

"That actually is pretty adorable," Zelda said.

"Do you know you have a legit fan club?" Rob asked. "My wife is obviously the chairwoman but you should know there are a lot of people who respect the hell out of you."

"Well, that's very generous," I said, even though I doubted every word of it.

"I'm the treasurer," Carlo added. "I don't know what you're doing now, missy, but you have my vote."

"Oh, my. No, no," I said. "Some people are candidates, some people are behind the candidates. I'm behind the candidate. Rather, I used to be, before I was relieved of my responsibilities."

"That was the shittiest thing I've ever seen on the internet," Rob said. "And there're a lot of shitty things on the internet."

"Robert," Diana chastised.

"Sorry, sorry," he murmured.

"You're better off without them. I have zero clue how you lived through all that chaos but I am certain you're in a better place now," Magnolia said. "You know what? We need to go dress shopping soon."

I hadn't used any of my warm-affable-outgoing skills in more than a month and found myself frowning at her when I didn't follow this jump in the conversation. "What's that?"

"Dress shopping," she repeated with a wave toward Zelda. "We need dresses for the grand anniversary gala my parents are throwing, and you are joining us. Weren't we just saying how we need to get together and find something to wear, Zel?"

Zelda bobbed her head. "We were comparing schedules last night."

"We'll have lunch too. It will be so much fun. Please say yes. Please?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Linden draw in a deep breath. He shifted his hand to the back of my neck, gave me a slight squeeze. I wasn't sure whether that was permission or warning. Either way, I hadn't spent time with women in too long and dining out for lunch was a far-off memory. "I'd love to."

"Now, we're finished with all of this talk," Diana said firmly. "We will eat and stop interrogating Jasper."

"I don't mind," I said, which was what you were supposed to say when you minded very much but didn't want anyone else to feel uncomfortable.

"You might not, dear, but I make the rules at this table," Diana replied.

Very well, then.

Linden leaned in again, his hand still on my nape and his beard barely tickling the spot below my ear. "You're a snake charmer."

"Something like that," I whispered back.

"I can't decide if I'm impressed"—he dropped his hand high on my thigh—"or scared."

"Be scared. Very, very scared," I said with a quiet laugh.

"You don't have to do this dress thing. I can get you out of it."

"You must not have been