Dominic chuckled. “Remember the time Alfie climbed out the window on the top floor?”

  “That was some serious dedication.” Conrad saw the question on Rozie’s face. “Houston has wet winters. Alfonso was up there all day. It was drizzling on and off. He finally came in when he heard all of us calling for him.”

  “My ears are burning. Someone must be talking about my harrowing exploits.” Alfie called as he sauntered into the room. Sophie trailed behind him, wearing a coverup over her swimsuit. Large, deep-amber sunglasses covered a third of her face.

  “Talking about the good old days?”

  “We’re discussing Riley,” said Conrad.

  “Think he smuggled some dinner with him?” Alfie said with a chuckle as he scanned the menu.

  “Not this time.” Conrad said. “It looks like he left during the night.” Alfie locked eyes with Burke, eyebrows pitched upward in a silent question. “His car’s gone.”

  The conversation simmered, renewed with a burst of excitement each time a guest arrived. Jonathan strolled in by himself. The men bantered, but to Rozie it seemed Riley’s absence made them uneasy. Ben was the last to arrive. Rozie’s skin prickled as she watched him. He ordered, but the server arrived with just a pot of hot water, a mug, and a selection of teas. She drove the memory away, chalking last night up to nerves and a cramped hiding place.

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  “Did he say anything to anyone?” Conrad asked.

  Rozie, thinking of their heated argument, stole a glance at Benny. He stood, eyes down, one arm across his chest, rubbing the black stubble on his chin with his other hand.

  “He was always super serious. Bet you hurt his feelings, Benny.”

  “Maybe he got spooked.” Jonathan said. He jutted a chin toward Benjamin. “Hey, Benny, all that spiritual talk… So, a place like this—it’s not a matter of if it’s haunted, but how much. Right?”

  Benny wore a smile as he fished the tea bag out of his cup and set it on a saucer. The lines on his face were deeper than Rozie remembered from their wedding. Then she recalled that his grandparents, who had raised him, had passed away recently.

  “You mean besides the stories about the spring?”

  Rozie glanced at her husband. “Stories?”

  “Native American stories. Spirits and stuff,” Dom said, waving his fork a little too casually.

  “It’s an old place,” Benny continued. “A few deaths. Newburg. His children. His wife lived here alone for a long time. A mysterious fire nearly burned down the place.”

  “Why? Did you see something?” Tyler asked.

  “No, just… just curious,” Jonathan said.

  Conrad stood as he downed the last of his coffee. “Well, gentlemen, everything’s ready for us, and the truck is waiting out front.”

  Dom rose from his chair and gave Rozie a peck on the cheek.

  “Have fun. Be careful,” she said while squeezing his hand.

  “I’m not the pregnant one.”

  “Said the man with a hangover, going skeet shooting with other hungover men.”

  The men ambled out of the dining hall, and when they left, Sara clasped her hands together, with an excited grin on her face. “While they brave the mosquitoes, we’ll enjoy ourselves by the pool. We have two masseuses on staff.”