As he looked down at Danny to reassure him, Julian saw his face break out into a big smile. He had spotted the other kids, and they were all running over to him noisily, talking over each other about food and games.
Now that he was surrounded by the other kids, Danny didn't seem scared at all. They were so good at distracting him, he hardly seemed to notice the crowd.
All the kids were there in one group but not the guys. Lara and Noreen where with them along with a pretty brunette. Lara started by introducing her to everyone.
"This Wyatt's friend, Raquel," Lara said then she introduced Julian and Rob to her. "And this is Julian's little brother, Danny."
"Hi there. Are you friends with Riley and DJ?" Raquel asked Danny.
"Everybody's friends with me and Lenny," Danny said and Julian couldn't believe how much it warmed his heart to hear it.
"Lenny is his little dog," Noreen explained.
"That's great. Then we should be friends too," Raquel told him.
Christie got introduced to everyone next, starting with the kids, but right away, Lara made a grab for her.
"Another one. She's mine too," Lara announced and hooked an arm around Christie's. Her other arm was already hanging over Raquel's shoulders.
"What is happening?" Rob's sister asked.
"Look at her stocking her girl harem. That is a picture of greed," Rico said, appearing suddenly and pointing at Lara.
Christie looked to Rob for help, but he only shook his head. He wasn't about to attempt to explain any of this to her.
Rico and Mitch got to meet Christie. "There's no escaping now that you're part of Lara's harem," Rico told her then he wondered, "Is everyone's sister in town?"
"You have something against sisters?" Rob asked him.
"Just hers." Rico pointed to Lara. "That hussy tried to steal my man, but my victory was assured." Rico flexed his arms.
"That's just the way she is. Stella is family, and you got your man. She's back there on the phone. No holding grudges. Be nice when you see her," Lara warned him and Rico grumbled.
Julian looked over at Christie then at Rob, wondering how she was taking all this craziness. She seemed amused and eager to sample some food.
"Candy apples in a town called Peach Tree. Smacks of sacrilege," Rico said shaking his head in disapproval as they passed a booth that sold them.
"Caramel apples, candy apples, toffee apples," Raquel counted off.
"Sacrilege, all of them. These people have no decency. This is Peach Tree."
"Rico is mad at the apples," Danny said.
"Rico, look. Apples with candy eyes on them," Sammy said.
"You think we can eat them?" Rico asked distracted from his outrage for the moment.
Sammy was quick with her verdict. "No. They have eyes."
"I see peaches too. They're poached in spiced vinegar," Christie said reading the label.
At the mention of vinegar, all the kids made faces. There were also pitchers of apple cider and something called peach cider.
"It's like drinking a pie," Noreen complained.
"Load me up," Raquel said and ordered some from the vendor.
Julian decided to treat the kids to some drinks, and Rico took the opportunity to question Danny, "What's new, little buddy? What did these guys do last night?"
