Claudia felt overwhelmed and dug her heels in, refusing to move.
This family was too enthusiastic; she wasn't used to it.
With an awkward smile, Claudia said, “There’s no need, Jackie.”
Seeing Claudia’s reluctance to enter, the eldest brother subtly nudged his wife.
Jackie finally let go of Claudia's hand.
“How did you throw out your back?” Benton asked Gideon. “Where did it happen?”
Gideon glanced at Claudia and answered honestly, “At Dr. Watkins’s house.”
Feeling guilty, Claudia lowered her head.
Benton turned to the eldest. “Kenny, didn’t Gideon say he was going to the hospital this afternoon to handle some things? How did he end up at a subordinate’s house? Did I mishear him?”
Kenny replied in a deadpan tone, “Perhaps we all misheard him.”
The teasing was so obvious that Claudia felt even more embarrassed.
“Um, I have something to do, so I’ll be going now.”
Claudia said a quick goodbye to everyone and turned to leave. While she might not have been a model of perfect etiquette, she was usually poised and comfortable in any situation. This was the first time she had ever felt so mortified.
It was humiliating.
At the entrance of the Harvest estate, Gideon pushed away Butler Palmer and his sister, who were supporting him.
“Didn’t you say you threw out your back? Come inside and I’ll give you a massage,” his Kenny said.

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