Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page A

else that had been going on lately.
    “Well, if you do, you should bring Hannah. Mom and Dad would love to see her.”
    Hannah smiled that room brightening smile of hers. “I’d love to see them, too. They always stop at the diner when they’re in town for burgers and fries to go, but it’s been a few months since I saw them.”
    Chase didn’t know whether to strangle his sister or thank her. Hell, Chase was so damn confused about his feelings for Hannah, he didn’t know whether he was coming or going. Maybe this nudge was just what he needed.
    “What can I bring to the cookout?” Hannah asked. “I have a killer recipe for cowboy beans.”
    Carrie’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, I hadn’t even thought of baked beans. Sounds perfect, Hannah, thanks.”
    “Would you like me to bring anything for the cookout?”
    Carrie thought about it for a second. “Nah, I think we’re good. Matt ordered enough beer and soda for an Army, and he and Caleb are manning the grills; we’ll have brats, hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken. Lauren is going to help me with the salads, plus I’ll bake all the buns and rolls. Tina’s bringing like four of those big fresh fruit trays.”
    “Wow, those aren’t cheap,” Chase said, knowing his other sister could be even more frugal than this one.
    “I guilted her into it,” Carrie admitted with a self-satisfied grin. “She’s a frickin’ lawyer, yet she can’t pick up a lunch check once in a while?”
    “I hear ya. But wouldn’t it be cheaper to buy whole fruit and just cut it up?”
    “It would,” Carrie agreed. “A lot cheaper. But you know Tina and the kitchen—oil and water.”
    “Okay…so what about paper plates and napkins? Plastic forks and spoons?”
    “I’ve got plenty of those foam plates at home from my last trip to Sam’s Club, and I’m just going to write off napkins and plastic cutlery from the shop. Oh, and Wes and Tara are bringing the deviled eggs, Charlie and Dana are bringing a pan of Snickers bars, Jenny is bringing lemon bars, and Allie offered to bake a couple of apple pies. Plus, I’ll bake a few dozen cookies for the kids.”
    “So what, I was the last person you invited?” Chase half-heartedly complained. “What about Marv, has he already been invited?”
    Carrie tried to hold back a smile, but failed miserably. “He’s bringing a can of mixed nuts.”
    Chase merely shook his head.
    “Sorry, big brother, but you’ve been a little busy lately. I tried calling, left several messages, in fact, but you never called me back.”
    At the reminder, Chase offered up a sheepish apology. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I kept meaning to, but it’s just been one thing after another the last couple of weeks.”
    Carrie cast Hannah an imperceptible glance. “I get it. Just make sure you don’t miss the cookout. Craig is going to be there. He’s coming home…maybe for good.”
    Not the greatest news Chase had heard. He and little brother didn’t have much in common seeing as how they’ve always been on opposite sides of the law. “Yeah? I’ll believe it when I see it.”
    Carrie’s expression grew a tad defensive, as it always did when the subject of their jailbird baby brother came up. “He asked if he could stay with me until he can find an apartment, so he must be planning to stay in Redemption for a while.”
    “Huh. Well, Mom and Dad will be thrilled.”
    “Tina and I are pretty stoked as well.” Carrie picked up their empty plates. “Wish you were a little more excited about it.”
    Chase and his shiftless little brother hadn’t seen eye-to-eye on much of anything since the day he started his two-year prison sentence nearly five years ago. After his release, Craig decided not to return to Redemption, and the family hadn’t seen him but once a year since—Christmas. Though he claimed to be a graphic artist, Chase could only imagine what the guy actually did to earn money these days. “I’ll be good, don’t worry.”
    With another roll