Zayne walked into The Spot diner the next afternoon and waved to Evie behind the counter. “Can I get a couple stuffed burgers to go? With shoestring fries and two vanilla shakes?”

Evie gave him a conspiratorial grin, letting him know that she knew who he’d be sharing his dinner with. “Sure thing, Zayne. I’ll even toss in a couple of Andi’s favorite chocolate chip cookies for you.”

He found himself grinning back. He’d been doing more of that these days. He took a seat at the counter to wait, accepting a glass of ginger ale from Evie.

“Mr. Zayne!” Hudson’s high-pitched greeting had everyone turning to see the little redhead run up to Zayne, reaching his arms high. “What are you doing here? Where’s Duke? Did you build more ginjah-bed today?”

Zayne’s smile was even more quick this time. He lifted the boy up onto his lap, looking around for Andrea. “Hi, kiddo! I’m picking up some food. Duke is sleeping at home. And yes, I carved some gingerbread pieces this morning for a house here in town.”

“Put him down this instant! How dare you touch this child!”

The harsh words came from an older woman who’d just come through the door. Her hair was blond, but it was the brazen sort of blond that came from a box. She was slender, well-dressed and heavily made-up, particularly for The Spot. She grabbed at Hudson, who was still sitting on Zayne’s thigh.

“Let go of my grandson before I call the authorities!”

“But, Mimi, Mr. Zayne’s my friend!”

Marissa Wentworth pulled Hudson away from Zayne and set him on his feet, her hands gripping his little shoulders like claws. Zayne went cold all over, quelling his anger the best he could, but only because of Hudson’s eyes on him. Andrea’s mother’s eyes were golden brown, but just as cold and lifeless as a chunk of metal. She was still glaring at him.

“This man is not your friend, and you need to stay away from him—”

Evie slapped her hand on the counter a couple of times to get everyone’s attention, her eyes narrowed on Wentworth.

“That’s enough, Marissa. Take a breath, take a step back and lower the volume.” Evie pointed. “Or take that door right back out of here.”

“No, Mimi!” Hudson looked up at her, confused. “Mr. Zayne’s my friend! Momma and I go to his farm all the time, and he has a giant dog named Duke and he builds stuff with wood. He’s making a corn maze for Momma and I know she likes him because she holds his hand a lot and I saw them kiss...” Hudson’s voice trailed off when he saw Zayne give a quick shake of his head.