Page 14 of Never Fall Again

“She brought food from her mom’s house for Cal and Mo.”

“What?”

Before Landry could protest more, Cal spoke from behind her. “I hope she brings more of the chicken pot pie Mrs. Stewart made. That stuff is amazing.”

Landry whirled toward Cal. “That’s just...wrong.”

Cal and Gray rejoined their circle, both of them grinning.

“This isn’t funny. I can’t take food that was intended for a woman with cancer.”

The grins disappeared, and Cal held out his hands in a placating gesture. “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll have Mer take a pictureof Aunt Jacqueline’s fridge. She’s begging us to take the food. I stopped by yesterday, and she sent me home with vegetable soup, corn bread, macaroni and cheese, and an entire chocolate pie. They appreciate people bringing food over, but Aunt Jacqueline doesn’t have much of an appetite, and Uncle Douglas can’t eat it all. You’ll be doing them a favor.”

Gray shifted closer. “They’ve been feeding me too. I went by on Monday and haven’t had to cook all week.”

Landry didn’t understand this. “If it’s too much food, why don’t they say they don’t need it?”

“They have. Many times. Doesn’t matter. Folks around here show love with food. They leave it on the porch and slip away. It’s better to share the food with family than to let it go to waste.”

“But I’m not family!”

For reasons that made no sense to Landry, this statement sent Cal, Bronwyn, and Gray into a laughing fit.

“Oh, honey. I didn’t realize how isolated you’ve been here.” Bronwyn raised a hand when someone called her name. “Just a minute!” she called back, then turned to Landry. “Eliza’s with the Shaws right now, and you’re staying at Meredith’s house tonight. You didn’t ask for it, but you’ve been adopted. It’s what they do. Just go with it.”

Gray nodded in agreement. “I’ve been invited to every family gathering since I moved here. I didn’t go the first time because I didn’t want to impose. The next day, Granny Quinn marched into the police station with a to-go container filled with the leftovers from the low-country boil they’d had and told me I’d been missed.”

Bronwyn snorted. “That’s Granny Quinn’s way of saying she was offended you didn’t come.”

“Believe me. I got the message. Made it a point to attend the next time. It was hamburgers and hot dogs. I ate a burger, a hotdog, and all the sides before I had to leave on a call. Cal here was sent to bring me dessert at the station because Granny Quinn was worried that I hadn’t had enough to eat.”

There was nothing but affection in Cal’s voice when he spoke. “No one tells Granny Quinn no. It’s not the done thing.”

Gray laughed, but his expression grew somber as he turned to Landry. “I hate to run, but I do need to get back in there. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Thanks.”

“I have to go too.” Bronwyn gave Landry a hug. “I’m sorry, Landry. We’ll get this sorted.”

“Not your fault.” She turned from Bronwyn to see Cal and Gray in a low discussion. Or maybe a disagreement. Whatever it was, it looked serious. And she couldn’t afford to be kept out of the loop. “Gray? Is there something I need to know before you go?”

Gray ran a hand through his hair. “Nothing I can share right now. Stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you.”

“Do you think I’m in danger?”

“You specifically? No reason to think that. But someone isn’t happy with The Haven right now. So everyone associated with it needs to be cautious until we figure out what’s going on.”

Six

Gray cleared the way for Cal to drive Landry to her cabin on The Haven grounds. He was prepared to wait outside, but she waved him in. “I’ll just be a minute. Make yourself at home.”

She disappeared into a bedroom on the left side of the living area. In less time than he thought possible, she came out with a small bag and a massive stuffed tiger. “Eliza won’t sleep without him.” She dropped the items on the sofa and entered a room on the opposite side of the living area. Five minutes later, she reemerged with a bag and a pillow.

“Let me guess. You’re one of those people who can’t sleep without her own pillow.”

“Icansleep without it, but I don’twantto.”

Cal took her bag, threw Eliza’s over his shoulder, and grabbed the tiger. “Ready?”