He nodded, grateful she seemed willing to keep their spat private.

“Did you show him the video?” Royce asked.

Stephanie looked instantly wary. “He doesn’t need to see the video.”

Royce set her aside and strode into the room. “Sure he does. What better way to understand your career. Got any popcorn?”

“We haven’t had dinner yet. I’m not-”

“Then let’s grill some burgers.” Royce pushed up the sleeves of his cotton, Western shirt. “I could use a burger. How about you, Alec?”

“Sure. Burgers sound good.” So did watching videos of Stephanie, especially since she seemed hesitant. Did she have something to hide?

“Well, I’m not sticking around for this,” Stephanie warned.

“Aren’t you hungry?” asked Royce.

She stuck her freckled nose in the air. “I’ll get something at the cookhouse.”

“Suit yourself,” said Royce, and Alec caught the faintest glimpse of satisfaction on the man’s face.

What was going on here?

Stephanie stuffed her feet into a pair of worn leather boots, shrugged into a chunky gray sweater and stomped out the door.

“I thought she’d never leave,” said Royce.

Alec peered at the man. “What’s going on?”

Royce turned down the short passage to the kitchen. “We’re grilling burgers and watching family videos.”

Twenty minutes later, Alec bit into a juicy, flavorful burger. He had to admit, Royce really knew his way around an outdoor grill. Alec was starving, and the burger was fabulous, slathered in fried onions, topped with a thick slice of garden fresh tomato, and encased in what had to be a homemade bun.

Beside him in the opposite armchair, Royce clicked the remote control on the television. “If anyone asks,” he said, settling down to his own dinner. “We were simply eating burgers and watching home videos.”

Chewing and swallowing, Alec glanced from their plates to the television and back again. “No problem. I’ve got your back.”