“One of the waiters? No.” Her father’s lip curled. “That man would never have been permitted to serve my guests looking like that. Besides, the man with the earring was younger. They all were.”

Lane couldn’t see the image on the phone, but she could read the troubled expression on Charlie’s face as he walked toward her mom. “Ma’am?”

Her mom shook her head. So did Meagan and Wes after they looked at whatever Charlie was showing them. He turned toward Lane next, but his eyes shifted to focus on something over her shoulder.

“Momma.” The heavy energy in the room seemed to release at Noah’s sudden presence. His sleepy eyes drifted around the room before finally catching on Charlie. “Hi, Charlie.”

“Hey, buddy.” Charlie held his palm flat for Noah and was rewarded with a palm slap.

Noah climbed into Lane’s lap and she breathed in the sweet scent of his Rock-a-Saurus Blueberry Shampoo.

“Did you bring your dog?”

“Not this time.”

“Oh.” He leaned into her arms before perking up a bit. “Do you want to see my new toy?”

“Buddy, Charlie gave you that dinosaur, remember?” Charlie’s gift remained Noah’s most coveted toy. “I need to talk with Charlie and Sheriff Huggins for a few more minutes and then I can take you—”

“It’s not a dinosaur.” Noah wriggled out of her lap and reached into his pocket. “It’s an alligator.”

Lane’s breath snagged at the sight of the small alligator resting in her son’s hand. The smooth wood was carved into a scaly reptile like the ones they had seen at Miguel’s house. “Where did you get that?”

Noah’s eyes peeked up at her under long lashes. “I found it.”

If Charlie and Sheriff Huggins had been at Miguel’s house, would they recognize the similarities between the carved toy and the sculptures in Miguel’s shop? She avoided their gazes and dropped to her knees, placing her hands on Noah’s shoulders.

Her throat grew tight. “Noah, what have I told you about lying?”

“I’m not lying.” His voice wobbled. “I did find it.”

“Noah.” Charlie dropped onto one knee. “That is a cool alligator. Can you tell me where you found it?”

“Well . . .” Noah drew out the word. “Aunt Meagan said we had to stay inside to watch the movie, but I wanted a chocolate donut—”

“Chocolate donut?” Lane looked up at her mom and then Meagan. They both shrugged their shoulders. “There weren’t any chocolate donuts, Noah.”

“Mm-hmm.” Noah nodded. “Uncle Wes kept eating them.”

“The éclairs,” Wes said, as a tight grin lightened the worried features on his face. “I told him he could have one. I didn’t know he was outside by himself.”