Moran had been watching the scene unfolding nearby, taking it all in.

He noticed York and Gaylord going out of their way to look after Charlene and Connie, but chalked it up to simple chivalry. After all, out of the eight or nine people in Charlene's group, only she and Connie were women. It made perfect sense that the guys would look out for their female friends.

Just as he turned his attention elsewhere, Vesta returned.

"There you are," Moran said, relief in his voice. "I was just about to call you. They've already got the barbecue going-come get something to eat?"

Vesta smiled. "Sounds good."

She paused, then asked, "Shouldn't we wait for Granger?"

"He's already had dinner. Told us not to hold up on his account."

"All right."

earlier moodiness had faded. The promise of barbecue

mid-step, thinking she must be mistaken. But as she looked closer,

the barbecue, but York and the others wouldn't hear of it, gently

and her friends couldn't make out the faces of everyone in York's group-they only

for them since arriving. Now, hearing Leah's exclamation, she turned her head to follow Leah's gaze. Sure enough,

someone's eyes on her, Charlene glanced over and met Vesta's gaze. Recognizing both Vesta and Leah, Charlene


also spotted Vesta's group. With a slight sneer, she muttered to Charlene, "She's really

Charlene said nothing.

other side, Leah let out a short, derisive

the backstory, looked puzzled. "Who's Charlene?" one of them

didn't want to air her family drama

tension, turned away and said softly to Leah, "Let's just have some

"Yeah. Good idea."

on grilled food, she felt distracted. Her gaze

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