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noticed that Rainy had failed to return from the kitchen. He hated to leave without saying good-bye, but he didn’t want to make a scene.
    “I’ll be out in the car,” Sonny told him.
    Mrs. Gordon went to Duncan as Sonny left the room. “It’s always good to meet new friends. Please know you’re welcome to join us anytime. Raymond would agree with me.”
    “Because I know better than to argue with her.” His Scottish brogue hung thick in the air. Duncan relished the sound with a bit of homesickness for the land of his childhood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Mr. Gordon continued, “I need another cup of coffee and I see Rainy has already moved it to the kitchen.”
    “Good night, Mr. Gordon. I truly appreciate the meal.”
    “As Edrea said, you’re welcome anytime.” Raymond Gordon headed off in the direction of the kitchen.
    “Oh, dear,” Edrea suddenly said. “Your jacket is in the other room. Why don’t you go tell Rainy good-bye and I’ll fetch it for you.”
    Duncan nodded, happy for the excuse to see Rainy. He walked toward the kitchen door and paused as he overheard Rainy say something to her father.
    Duncan glanced over his shoulder to make certain Edrea had gone. Seeing that the room was empty, he delayed his entrance long enough to eavesdrop.
    “They’ll never believe me. No matter what I do. No one cares what really happened or why.”
    “Now, daughter, God is with you. We’ll be finding a way.”
    “But it’s been three years,” Rainy argued. “I don’t want to take this guilt with me the rest of my life.”
    “I know, darling. I know.”
    Duncan knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He pushed open the door and peeked inside. “I just wanted to tell Rainy good-bye.” He smiled at the surprised woman. “Your mother told me to and I didn’t want to appear the disobedient one.”
    Rainy smiled at this. “It’s for the best. Mother would never brook any nonsense. I’ll see you in the morning. If you’ve never slept at the Alvarado, then you’re in for a treat.”
    Duncan nodded and headed back through the dining room just as Edrea brought his jacket. “I hope to see more of you, Mr. Hartford.”
    “I hope you will too.”
    Duncan pulled on the jacket and made his way to the car. Sonny stood outside, leaning against the driver’s door, staring up into the night skies.
    “Caught you daydreaming,” Duncan teased.
    Sonny laughed. “That isn’t hard to do.” He jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car while Duncan took the seat Rainy had used all day.
    “So what were you thinking about just then?” Duncan asked, knowing he was being more personal than their brief time together allowed for.
    Sonny Gordon didn’t seem to mind. “Oh, I guess my mind was in faraway lands. I have some interest in Alaska. Sometimes I contemplate taking a trip north.”
    “Sounds fascinating,” Duncan admitted. “I hope you’ll get a chance for it.”
    “I hope so too,” Sonny said, maneuvering the car toward town.
    Duncan thought of what he’d overheard Rainy saying, wishing fervently that he had the right to ask what she meant. He supposed it would just have to wait. Perhaps toward the end of the trip he and the Gordons would be much closer and then Rainy wouldn’t mind such an intimate question.

CHAPTER FOUR
    S onny finished securing the last of the Van Pattens’ ten pieces of luggage in and on the touring car. Mrs. Van Patten had been particularly difficult that morning, haranguing Sonny about the care of her matched pieces.
    “This is an exceptionally expensive collection of leather luggage,” she told Sonny. “See to it that you do not allow it to be scratched.”
    Sonny had smiled, poured on the charm, and assured her that he was used to handling such pieces. Mrs. Van Patten looked down her nose at him in an expression that suggested Sonny must surely be mistaken . . . or lying.
    Once she’d gone, Sonny’s thoughts drifted to the night before. He knew his sister