A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Uh, n-no, it's nothing!" Ryan stammered, quickly shaking his head. He tried to smile at Calliope, but it was the kind of forced, crooked grin that pretty much screamed something's up.

Calliope saw right through him. She knew Ryan too well-when he got anxious, his eyes darted everywhere, and right now, he was practically begging Neil for

help with his gaze.

Neil had already set down his fork and gotten up from the table. "Callie, really, it's nothing. I'll go talk to him. You guys finish your dinner, okay?"

He started to lead Ryan away.

But Calliope stood up right away, her chair scraping against the hardwood.

Silas followed suit, towering over the table.

room for argument. "What's going on that you can't tell me? Weren't we best friends growing up? If

you've got a

said, "You're not getting out of this

jealous they've been since our town

tried to talk it out, but they went straight to throwing punches. I

flattened Jacob and then they wouldn't even let

tourist spot, we asked them to partner with us. They said

blood is all over me, I'm scared he's really hurt. The others are still

to go check

farmhouse table, everyone had gotten up, half-eaten plates of roast chicken and mashed potatoes forgotten. Faces were flushed

than patient,"