“Is everything all right, Victoria?” Mrs.

Gable asked, looking from Chloe on the porch to my combat boots on the gravel.

“Avery was just leaving,” Chloe said, smoothing her shawl with both hands.

“She insists on staying in town tonight.”

Mrs.

Gable squinted through the light mist, her eyes stopping on the duffel bag slung across my back.

“Oh, my dear.

I had no idea you were leaving before dinner.”