4 Chapter 4

“Shawn’s always been a little weird,” she said. “We’re all used to him, but if he ever bothers you, just make sure you tell him to knock it off. He always backs down. No matter what.”

Dario tilted his head, studying her. “He just seems like a friendly guy, but I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, before I forget, do you know anybody around here that goes by the name Billy Ray Waters?”

She frowned, thinking for a moment. “Waters. I think there was a minister some time back named Waters, but I don’t know his first name.”

It wasn’t anything except what he expected, but something in his chest twisted a little bit. He hadn’t gone all the way to Crows Landing just to find Billy Ray, but he couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t hopeful. Very hopeful, even.

“Who’s the minister here now?”

“Reverend Peck. He’s the youngest one we’ve ever had.”

Dario didn’t recognize the name, of course. If he was the youngest they ever had in town, he had probably been born after Dario had left Crows Landing behind.