Dean followed her into the kitchen, protesting all the way, but Blue waved him off. He looked in the dining room and saw his antique Duncan Phyfe table had been set with fringed yellow place mats, old-fashioned blue and white dishes, a bowl of shiny stones Riley had collected, and a vase of yellow flowers. All the room needed to be complete were the murals Blue refused to paint. April ignored him as she began filling glasses with iced tea. He tried to help Blue out but ended up getting in her way. Jack appeared fresh from his shower. Blue dropped her wooden spoon.

“Good to see you, Blue.” He reached into the refrigerator for a beer.

“Uh…hi.” She knocked over the flour sack as she fumbled to pick up the spoon.

Dean grabbed some paper towels. “We have unexpected company in the living room, Jack, so you’ll have to make yourself scarce.” He tilted his head toward Blue. “I’m sure your number one fan over there will save you some dinner.”

Jack’s eyes followed April, but she didn’t seem to notice. “I can only hide out for so long,” he said. “Your farm’s private property. Even if people figure out I’m here, they won’t be able to get to me.”

But Dean had spent twenty years avoiding anything that could connect him to Jack Patriot, and he didn’t want Nita Garrison blabbing to everybody that Jack was staying here.

“Dad went into the beer store today,” Riley said from the doorway. “He was in his work clothes, and he wasn’t wearing any earrings, so nobody recognized him.”

“Recognized who?” Nita appeared behind her. “That football player? Everybody knows he’s here.” She caught sight of Jack. “Who are you?”

“That’s my dad,” Riley said quickly. “His name is…Mr. Weasley. Mr. Ron Weasley.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“He’s…He’s April’s boyfriend.”

April’s eyes snapped as she gestured toward the dining room. “I hope you’re joining us for dinner.”

Blue snorted. “Like you could keep her away.”

“I don’t mind if I do. Give me your arm, Riley, so I don’t fall again.”

“Mrs. Garrison thinks Riley is stupid,” Riley announced to no one in particular.

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Nita said “Only your name, and that’s hardly your fault, now is it.” She aimed an accusatory look at Jack.

“It was her mother’s idea,” he said. “I wanted to name her Rachel.”

“Jennifer is better.” Nita pushed Riley ahead of her into the dining room.

Jack turned to Blue. “Who the hell is that?”

“Some call her Satan. Others Beelzebub. She goes by many names.”

Dean smiled. “She’s Blue’s employer.”

“She’s my employer.” Blue slapped a drumstick on the platter.

“Lucky you,” Jack said.