From the branches of the old oak, Bird watched as Randy carried out his bags and loaded them into the trunk of his car. Every once in a while, he stole a sad glance at Eva, who stood in the shade of the tree with Stuart. Randy didn’t deserve this, thought Bird. He had his faults but he seemed a decent fellow, underneath the bravado. Bird hoped that he’d find somone who’d be nicer to him. Through the front window of the house, Bird could see her grandfather. He was watching Eva, she thought, but there was something else — something very focused about his gaze. Bird looked into the pasture below. Sunny grazed peacefully, completely unaware of all the turmoil. Lucky guy. Bird looked down to where Eva and Stuart had been standing. They were gone, making their way up the path toward the house. When Bird turned back to face the window, Kennth Bradley had a cell phone pressed to his ear. Bird didn’t like his intensity one bit. Something was wrong here, she just couldn’t figure out what it was.
