“Should mom and dad leave too?” Mel looked at Daniel.
“I’m handling that,” her dad said. “I’ve got to arrange things with the festival folks, and then we’ll be out of here until this blows over. I’ve got friends up the road we can stay with for a bit.” He hugged her tight and her mom joined them, squeezing her protectively between them. Mel smiled at Daniel. Longing. She’d never appreciated her parents more.
“I guess I better go pack. Again.” Mel sighed. “But I never really unpack, so it will only take a sec.”
“My car is out in the back of beyond,” Daniel said. “Security wouldn’t let me park anywhere close.”
“Mel, I’ll go with you to the RV,” her dad said. “Trish, you guide Daniel in through the gauntlet.”
Mel saw Daniel’s reluctance, but her father nodded in understanding. “She’ll be
