Page 61 of It Runs in the Family

“And how do you know Billy again?” she asked.

“Through friends of friends,” he said before shoving a big bite of mac and cheese in his mouth.

She tilted her head as she scrutinized him. “It just seems odd, that you’d come to a family gathering with a guy you barely know.”

Boone shrugged. “Like I said, a home-cooked meal sounded awfully good.”

“What’s with the third degree?” Billy demanded in a huff. “Let the guy eat in peace.”

Mary Ellen looked like she was about to tell someone off—whether it was Billy or Boone or both, I couldn’t be sure. But I reached for her hand under the table and squeezed, giving her a soft smile of thanks.

I’ve got you, she mouthed, then squeezed back.

My family wasn’t much for lingering over food, instead, inhaling it and moving on to dessert, which was served buffet style. As soon as everyone started getting up to serve themselves the next course, I grabbed a few empty plates and headed into the house, deciding to start on the dishes.

I was filling the sink with soapy water when I heard the door open behind me. It suddenly occurred to me that Billy might take the opportunity to get his revenge, so I braced myself as I spun around, but it was Boone in the doorway, wearing a forlorn look.

“Granny doesn’t like people in her kitchen,” I said in a snotty tone as I turned back to the sink. “So you better get out.”

“Iris…” he started, but his voice trailed off, as if he wasn’t sure what to say now that we were alone.

I turned around to face him again, resting my butt against the edge of the counter. “Don’t waste your energy trying to come up with an explanation. I’m not interested in hearing any of it.”

That was lie. I was desperate to hear all if it. Had he known Billy was my cousin the other night? Had he lied about working on a ranch? Then again, he’d never confirmed that, had he? I’d just presumed. Still, I couldn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. Only lowlifes and criminals were Billy’s friends.

“He was the cousin who was after you at T-Birds.” It came out flat, but it still sounded like a question.

I lifted my brow. “Like I need to answer that?”

“I know what this looks like.”

I crossed my arms, my water-drenched hands soaking the sides of my dress. “Since it’s so obvious, why are you in here saying anything at all?” I huffed out a sigh. “Look, we had fun on Friday night, and I appreciate you helping me get home safely, but let’s leave it at that.”

He nodded slightly, looking resigned as he moved toward the door, but then he stopped. “Was Selena here today?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Your cousin Selena. You said she’d be here at lunch, but I never heard any mention of her. Was she here?”

Guilt constricted my chest. I’d been so busy dealing with my pity party over Boone, the mess with Aunt Millie, and Billy’s threats that I’d completely forgotten to look for Selena. Her mother, Aunt Doreen, barely paid attention to anything, let alone her own daughters. She seemed to find out about Selena through everyone else, so asking her if she had information would be pointless. “No.”

He nodded again and took a step closer.

“Look,” I said, dropping my hands to my sides. “I appreciate you trying to make amends, or whatever this is”—I gestured between the two of us—“but there really isn’t a point to carrying this conversation any further.”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No,” I snapped, my temper rising. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“I can help you look for her.”

I froze for a moment before regaining my senses. “Why would you do that?”

“To make up for coming here with Billy.”

“How in the world did you get hooked up with him anyway?” I asked, then shook my head and turned back to the sink. The suds in the sink were nearly overflowing, so I turned the water off. “Never mind. I don’t care. Just leave.”

“I think your cousin is in danger.” His voice was low and gruff.