Page 63 of Target Acquired

“How were they part of some family feud that Kenzie’s family was involved in back in the late 1940s, early ’50s?”

His father let out a low breath that meant he was thinking. “Well, that was all before your uncles were born, and no one wanted to talk much about it, even though my brothers and I heard rumors and stories. Unfortunately, Mom died shortly after I was born. Your uncle Robert was twelve then, and Dad was overwhelmed with trying to keep up with a newborn and three other boys. From what I understand, if it hadn’t been for some of Mom’s friends in the church and Betsy King, things would have been really bad.”

“I see. And what about her? Kenzie’s grandmother? She was Gram Garrison’s best friend. Couldn’t she shed some light on all of this?”

“Maybe, but I’m not sure her mind works that great. She’s got to be pushing a hundred.”

“Yeah. Okay, well, do you mind doing a little digging to see if you can find out what the feud was about? I’m curious. This is part of my history, and these are my ancestors. I want to know more.”

His dad chuckled. “Sure, son. I’ll see what I can dig up.”

“Thanks.”

He hung up, slipped his flip-flops back on, and walked back to the dock. The food smells tantalized his nose and his stomach growled.

Kenzie was fixing a plate of grilled chicken, baked beans, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Everyone had brought something, and most had started with the donuts. He dropped into the nearest chair to wait for the line to die down a bit. And, okay, he wanted to watch Kenzie without her knowing he was watching. He really hoped that wasn’t too stalkerish, but he needed to think. Hard.

Like how to apologize for being an idiot.

James sat beside him and popped the tab on a can of root beer. “You okay?”

“Fine. Why?”

“You seem to be a little morose.”

“Morose?” Cole chuckled. “Where’d you learn that word?”

“School. Probably a couple of years before you got to that one since I was in the accelerated program.”

“Ha ha. Such a comedian.”

“Seriously, what’s going on?”

“I don’t date.”

“Um . . . yeah, you do. Someone different depending on the day of the week.”

“Aw, those aren’t dates. They’re just hanging out with people I enjoy spending time with.”

“That’s your interpretation. I’m sure if you checked with any of those women, they’d call it a date.”

Cole sighed. “Maybe so.”

“Come on, man. What is it?”

“I did something. Then I said something. And now I don’t know how to make it right.”

“You kissed her and apologized, didn’t you?”

“What? No!”

“Then you almost did?” Cole fell silent and James’ eyes widened. “You almost did? And then you apologized.”

“No. I didn’t apologize. I think I did something worse. I made it sound like the moment was . . . irrelevant or unimportant.” He ignored James’ soft groan and kept his eyes on the others gathered on the covered dock, laughing and chatting under the lights strung across the ceiling. Normally, he’d be right there with them, but today he just couldn’t join in the fun.

So. Why had he come? He looked at his friend, who’d fallen silent. “Well?”

“Kinda biting my tongue right now,” James said. “Give me a minute.”