| 7:58a |
@@@@@His hair was washed out, either
pale brown
@@@@@His hair was washed out, either
pale brown or a dark, nondescript blondLike his bland hair and his long body, his features were
mild and thinThere was no anger in his face, which was why it held my eye
The others made way for this apparently unassuming man as if he had some status among them
Only Jared didn't defer to him; he held his ground, staring only at meThe tall man stepped
around him, not seeming to notice the obstacle in his path any more than he would a pile of
rock
“Okay, okay,” he said in an oddly cheery voice as he circled Jared and came to face meWhat have we got?”
It was Aunt Maggie who answered him, appearing at his elbow
“Jeb found it in the desertUsed to be our niece MelanieIt seemed to be following the
directions he gave her She flashed a dirty look at Jeb
“Mm-hm,” the tall, bony man murmured, his eyes appraising me curiouslyIt was strange, that
appraisalHe looked as if he liked what he sawI couldn't fathom why he would
My gaze shied away from his, to another woman–a young woman who peered around his side,
her hand resting on his arm–my eyes drawn by her vivid hair
Sharon!Melanie cried
Melanie's cousin saw the recognition in my eyes, and her face hardened
I pushed Melanie roughly to the back of my headhhh!
“Mm-hm,” the tall man said again, noddingHe reached one hand out to my face and seemed
surprised when I recoiled from it, flinching into Jeb's side
“It's okay,” the tall man said, smiling a little in encouragement
He reached toward my face againI shrunk into Jeb's side like before, but Jeb flexed his arm
and nudged me for |