As Farley started to turn away, he did a double take at Savannah. “Oh. Uh, I don’t believe we’ve been formally introdu—”

“No. I don’t believe we have.” Her tone was tepid.

Farley read it loud and clear. “Well, listen … uh, about what I said to your daddy back there … it wasn’t personal, you know? I just want what’s best for the team and all.”

She nodded and looked past him dismissively. “Of course.”

“Great. Okay, then. I’ll leave y’all to it. Shout if you need anything.” He made a hasty retreat.

Savannah said, “I’m sorry, Logan, but if I stand here and watch this any longer, I’m going to hurl. I’m gonna go get a Coke or something. Feel free to join me if you want.”

Cole shook his head. “I gotta keep an eye on these guys.” She shrugged and started to go, but he reached out to stop her. “Look, I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to be a dick a minute ago. It’s just that . . .”

“I know, Logan. It’s cool.” She squeezed his hand. “I won’t be long.”

Savannah went elbow deep into an ice chest and came up with a can of Dr Pepper. Eager to distance herself from the barbaric feast and avoid the possibility of having to answer any questions from the other guests, she stepped away from the party and strolled casually toward the back of the yard. As she neared the back fence and took her first sip of Dr Pepper, a voice spoke from the shadows, startling her.

“We need to talk, young lady.”

She spun around.

Curtis stepped into the glow of a nearby tiki torch, a formidable scowl visible beneath his Stetson. Before Savannah could even get a word out, the sheriff took her by the elbow and ushered her into a small fenced enclosure at the back of the yard.

When they were out of sight, she pulled her arm free of his grasp and backed up against the pool pump behind her. “Good to see you, too, Sheriff. Is something wrong? You seem a little tense.”

“You’re damn right, I’m tense!” He paused, peered over her shoulder for prying eyes, then brought his voice back down. “I just got notification at the station that thirty-nine men I’d thought were dead are not only alive and well but are planning to play in some damn-fool football game at the high school tomorrow!”

“Sheriff—”

“I’m also told that whatever’s going on, you and Logan are responsible for it. You have a lot of explaining to do, missy.”

“Sheriff, calm down. Wait here. I’ll go get Cole.”

“I’m talkin’ to you right now, missy … because I happen to believe that, unlike Cole Logan, you might actually have a lick of sense in your skull.”

“I appreciate that.”