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“I know you were raised up to be hard and disciplined,” Carol said. “And that Jack’s your family because you need one. But Luci’s mine. You understand?”

Only too well. “Not really.”

“Come on now, you do. And I expect you to do something about it.”

Luci approached, worry in her eyes. “What’s going on, Mom?”

“Nothing. Grant and I were just having a nice chat.” She patted the table with both hands. “And now this old lady needs to head to bed. I’ll see you both at breakfast.”

“Goodnight, Mrs. Wilder,” I said, standing as she stood.

“Goodnight, Grant. Thanks for the chat.” Carol squeezed Luci’s shoulder. “Don’t fret so much, honey. Everything’s going to work out just fine.”

The two of us watched her walk away, not saying anything.

Jack was now coming over to the table. Great.

“Hey y’all,” Jack said. “Everything okay? Mom looked like she was giving you some kind of lecture.”

“She’s a lovely person,” I said, stalling. Please don’t ask me what she wanted.

“She is, yeah,” Jack said. “Thanks for taking the time to talk to her. I think she feels left out a bit. All of the younger folks are so tight, you know? Don’t you think, Luci?”

“She seems fine to me.”

“I’m happy to spend time with her,” I said.

“You’re a good dude,” Jack said, surprising me with a quick hug. “Glad you’re here, bud.”

“Me too,” I said.

Ivy called Jack over to another table. “Excuse me,” Jack said.

“Yeah, sure,” I mumbled as he walked away.

“What was that all about?” Luci asked.

I wanted to deflect, but suddenly I was too tired. “She wanted to know about us. Said she could see what’s going on and that it was time I did right by you.”

Her face fell. “I asked her not to interfere.”

“You told her?” I asked, horror washing over me. “About us?”

She nodded, her voice tight. “Not everything. But enough.”

“Luci, do you realize what this means?” I asked

“She promised not to say anything to Jack.”

I had to push down my anger. Luci didn’t deserve it. On the other hand, she’d betrayed our promise.

“Let’s get out of here,” Luci said. “We can talk when we’re alone.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll leave first. Give it five minutes before you go.” I glanced back at Jack, who had joined a table with Beck and Blake, with Ivy by his side.

“Give me your key,” I said. “Discreetly.”

She reached into her pocket and moved so her back was to Jack before giving me the key.