A bell rang above the door, announcing their arrival. A sign read PLEASE SEAT YOURSELF, so Edge headed for the long Formica-topped counter that stretched across the room. Pink ruffled valances hung at the windows, and there was a scattering of tables and chairs.

Edge took a seat next to a beefy guy with a thick barrel chest. A stout, gray-haired woman with a ruddy complexion sat on the stool on the other side of Skye. The big guy next to him was wearing mechanic’s overalls with the name MAX embroidered on the pocket.

“You look like a local,” Edge said. “What’s good to eat in here?”

Max wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Burgers are good. They got great chocolate milkshakes.”

Edge smiled. “Just what I’m in the mood for. Thanks.” He ordered a burger and shake, while Skye ordered a Caesar salad with chicken.

When the food arrived, Edge dug in. The burger was better than passable, or maybe he was just hungry. He turned to the guy beside him. “This is great. Thanks for suggesting it.”

“Not many places to go around here, ’less you go on over to Salida.”

“Actually, we’re headed in the other direction. We’re looking for a place not far from here, a church of some kind called the Children of the Sun. You ever heard of it?”

“Not many people around so, yeah, I’ve heard of it. Guy named Daniel Henson runs it. Doesn’t come to town very often. Not him nor any of the folks who live out there.”

“So I guess they keep mostly to themselves.”

Max nodded. “Seen a few of the women in town buyin’ groceries. The young ones are a fine-lookin’ bunch. Probably the reason he keeps ’em wearing those long ugly dresses, like they was Amish or something. Hell, maybe they are.”

Vaguely unsettled, Edge went back to his burger.

Max consumed his meal and polished off the last of a massive pile of fries. “So what’s your business out there?”

“A friend has a daughter who joined the group. She’s worried about her. We told her we’d make sure the girl was okay.”

Max nodded, dipped the last fry on his plate into a spot of ketchup. “Probably a good idea, considering the way Henson watchdogs everyone who lives there.” He popped the fry into his mouth and waved the server over for his check.

“Thanks again for the suggestion,” Edge said. “The burger wasn’t half bad.”

Max nodded. “Good luck with Henson.” Rising from the stool, he headed out the door.

Edge glanced over at Skye, who was talking to the older, gray-haired lady beside her. He couldn’t hear the conversation, but Skye was definitely frowning.

As soon she finished her salad, Edge asked for the check and paid the bill. They left the café and set off for the car. A couple of kids were riding their bikes in circles around the gravel lot, spinning wheelies like Edge and his brothers used to do when they were kids out at the ranch.