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Darlene’s gaze pierced her “I know”

In Colorado Springs Brooke would have found the reply odd, but not in Clayton Here, the Clayton kids were known by all, thanks to Grandpa George and his brother, but neither she nor her siblings had always been happy about the notoriety

AJ ca across the concrete floor in her direction, his face lit froreat little boy She swung hihter as he pressed his cheek to hers

“You should volunteer for the church nursery,” Darlene said “They always need help”

“Me? No Not interested” Brooke was already shaking her head Her insides shook, too No way she’d put herself in that position Taking care of AJ was scary enough

“Well, that’s too bad Gabe’s little boy sure seems to like you” The frail wo…” She paused for a deep breath Before she could go on, Gabe rejoined them

“You were about to say?” Brooke encouraged, curious

Darlene’s thin lips pressed together Her gaze slid to one side “Excuse ”

As she hurried off toward the church office, Gabe stared after her “What was that all about?”

“I don’t know She see, didn’t she?”

“Don’t tell me Darlene’s another relative of yours”

“If you mean one of Uncle Samuel’s clan, no I don’t really know her that well, but I think she may have been a friend ofto re “Anyway, she and Aunt Kat are about the sae of town, but she’s always kind of stayed to herself I don’t reone for a long tirandmother had built