Chapter 23

Laurelle blinked. There was so much food; there was no way she could finish it all herself. She moved a plate of barbecue ribs back toward Zachariah. "You should eat too." Just then, the owner came out from the back. The moment she saw Zachariah, a flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Huh? Young man, you're here again? Weren't you just in earlier this morning?" Laurelle looked at him, puzzled. He cleared his throat. He was usually composed and reserved but seemed a little awkward now. "Ma'am, you must have been so busy that you've confused me with someone else." The owner scratched her head, uncertain. Had she made a mistake? But it had been six in the morning, the first customer through the door before sunrise—wasn't it him? They'd even exchanged a few words then. She'd asked, "Off to work so early?" And he'd replied, "Mm, going to see someone important." Maybe she was mistaken after all? The owner shrugged it off, though she still seemed curious. Beside her, Laurelle press