Deep lines carved across Phelps Lawson's face as he furrowed his brow.

"And where's Jessica?"

All eyes turned to Timothy, waiting for an answer.

How could Jessica not come home for such an important family holiday?

Still bristling, Timothy muttered, "She went back to her hometown."

Sallie's voice snapped, "Doesn't she know today is for honoring our ancestors?"

"That's right, Timothy. She married into the Lawson family. She's one of us now. How can she skip it?"

Naylor Lawson, Timothy's father, looked equally displeased.

Timothy glanced around with a frosty edge in his voice. "And where's Rebekah?"

"My mom went

Nola's arm. "Don't butt

snort. "If Rebekah can go home to her folks,

silently cursing

"Rebekah has family back home. Jessica's

to a chill. "No family left, but

it. It's late already-let's go," Phelps cut in, slamming the brakes on their bickering. Visiting the graves mattered more than squabbling, and he had no time to hash things

set out for

gathered solemnly around the headstones, waiting for Phelps to give the signal so they could pay their

turned to face

stunned silence fell as the Lawsons exchanged

offerings? Don't tell me the great Lawson family couldn't even bring something to

family, she had always handled the arrangements for the memorial. The others had simply left it to

head, embarrassment coloring his voice. "Jessica always took care of it before. I just assumed

his chest in anger, and Sallie hurried

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