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Nobody can figure out who they are, how they know each other, how they communicate, but you—you got an invitation.”
    A sudden breeze slithered over Violet’s arms. “I don’t think it’s like that. I think it’s just some people meeting for … well, for church.”
    â€œWe need to find out. Somehow.”
    He was right. She could make a difference. “I’ll go. I’ll find out where they meet.”
    And report them. Report Clay. If she could.
    â€œNot you. It’s too risky,” Austin said.
    â€œI think my friend would notice if you go in my place.”
    He huffed and raked his fingers through his hair.
    â€œI’ll play along, Austin. They won’t do anything to me.”
    His mouth crimped, and he closed his eyes. When he opened them, the frown remained, but his eyes shone with … respect, maybe. For her.
    â€œI’ll give you my buddy’s work number. As soon as you get there, find a way to text the address to him. He can send in a team to bust them.”
    â€œOkay. See, it’ll be fine.”
    â€œWherever they meet, you don’t go inside. Come up with whatever excuse you have to, but stay out.”
    â€œRight.”
    He huffed again. “This is madness.”
    Ever the scholar. Her lips tugged into a smile. She ducked her head and twisted blades of grass around her fingers. One of them snapped. A mosquito landed in the crook of her arm, and she smacked it.
    â€œDo you know,” he said, “sometimes you amaze me.”
    â€œBecause I killed a mosquito?”
    â€œBecause you’re willing to do something like this. You’ve got this … this tough thread, running under the softness.”
    No, she didn’t. But this mission didn’t require toughness. It only required love.
    The Hansens would hate her when they found out.
    Maybe they didn’t have to. Ever.
    Austin enclosed her in his arms. “We have to plan this out.”
    â€œDidn’t we just do that?”
    â€œI want you to know exactly what you’re doing before you get there.”
    â€œAre you going to teach me kung fu or something?”
    His lips moved over her hair. “If only I knew kung fu or something.”
    â€œI’ll be careful. The most careful I’ve ever been in my life.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make it—”
    â€œTalk later.” She kissed him and, with each breathless second, resolved to do her duty. Duty to Clay, to Austin’s Constabulary friend. To the group of dangerous, misguided people who needed help. Khloe, I have to. For the good of everyone. Violet would wear the pansy charm on her wrist forever, a pledge of silence to herself.
    â€œIt’s the right thing,” she whispered against Austin’s mouth.
    â€œI know.”
    Austin lowered her to the soft grass. Yes. Through her clothes, his hands surveyed her body as if he hadn’t already mapped most of it. Please want me.
    â€œViolet.”
    She kissed the thumb that traced her mouth.
    Austin lowered his head to the crook of her neck, and his sigh warmed her collarbone. “Three months, babe.”

4
    Maybe it was last night’s near encounter with a Bible bust that caused Clay to soak up the voices floating in from the kitchen. Buoyant voices. Violet and Khloe had no idea their conversation carried so far.
    â€œWow, she actually looks sexy with her hair blowing around her face.”
    â€œShe said she was worried about the breeze at first, that it would make her look messy, but Mom was like, ‘Nature’s fan, it’ll look great.’”
    â€œI can’t wait till your mom does our senior pictures.”
    Someone let the oven door fall open with a thump . A cookie sheet slapped onto the counter. Sleepover details had evolved as the girls grew up. They made cookies from scratch now, no more refrigerator dough, and their film of choice transitioned from girl-meets-horse to