Where Love Grows. Cynthia Reese

she wanted to figure out a few things first. He’d been satisfied to hear that she thought something hinky was going on.

      “Thought so,” her father had said. “Mighty funny that a guy with MacIntosh’s know-how is at the epicenter of a bunch of claims on some parasitic plant. Mark my words, he’s in it up to his neck.”

      Becca looked at Ryan now. She prayed that he’d talk to her, come clean about whatever had been said in that room. If it were a conspiracy, he would be considered just as guilty as the rest of them if he knew what was going on and said nothing.

      “Mee-Maw wanted me to invite you to lunch today. It’s leftovers, mind you, but Mee-Maw’s leftovers are better than a lot of people’s fresh-cooked.”

      “I’ll definitely take her up on it.”

      “She likes you.”

      What about you, Ryan? Do you like me? Don’t you see any of Sunny in me? Won’t you trust me?

      “Ryan!” a woman called from the diner’s door. She hurried over to where Becca and Ryan stood.

      “Charlotte, I told you—”

      “I know, I know. I’m a worrywart, and you want me to quit nagging you about J.T.”

      J.T. again. Becca tried to fade into the background to hear anything that might prove enlightening.

      Ryan shot a sideways glance toward Becca. Was he in a hurry to cut the waitress’ conversation short?

      “I promise, when I find out anything, you’ll be the first to know,” he answered the woman cryptically. “Becca? Are you ready? I’m already so far behind I’ll never get caught up.”

      With that, he strode off toward his pickup.