Chapter 85

Vaguely, he was aware of Jasper watching him.

“Hi, pretty girl,” One-Mile managed to scratch out.

Her gaze fell on them and her eyes flared wide. “You’re here already?”

Her father got to his feet. Together, they approached her. One-Mile hung back.

“We’re just talking, sweetheart.” The preacher kissed her cheek and squeezed her as if he feared losing her. “Why don’t you join us?”

She looked nervous, her flustered gaze darting back and forth between them as if she’d half expected an argument or violence. “Sure.” She took in the empty table between them. “Before I sit down, coffee? Tea?” She sent him an apologetic glance. “We don’t have anything harder.”

He waved her off. “I’m fine.”

“Nothing for me,” her father said.

“O-okay.” She set her purse and keys down, then sank to the sofa beside her father. “What did I miss?”

“Pierce was apologizing that we hadn’t met previously.”

“And?” Brea glanced tensely between them, as if she w