“Nobody talks about what happened here tonight. Not ever,” Ty reminded them. They couldn’t afford for anyone to discover even a part of their plan and piece things together. “Right?” he asked, wanting to hear them say the words. His heart pounded so hard in his chest, he thought it would explode.

“Right,” Hunter agreed.

And Ty knew they’d both protect her secret forever.

“Lilly?” Ty prodded. She had the most to lose if her uncle found out she was alive.

She nodded. “I’ll never talk about it.” Her gaze remained locked on his, her fingers toying with the little heart around her neck.

For that split second, they were in their own world. He stared into her brown eyes and suddenly everything was okay. They’d go back to his mom’s house and he’d sneak into her bedroom so they could hang out and talk all night. They’d be together.

Instead she broke the spell. “I’ll never forget what you guys did for me,” she said to them both.

She hugged Hunter first and Ty waited, clenching and unclenching his fists.

Then she turned to him and pulled him tight. He held her for the last time, closing his eyes and fighting the fullness in his throat.

“Be careful,” he managed to tell her.

She nodded, her hair soft against his cheek. “I’ll never forget you, Ty. Cross my heart,” she whispered, the words for his ears alone.

One

The Hawken’s Cove courthouse was a fixture in town, the old stone building the landmark by which everyone gave directions. Make a left at the courthouse and The Tavern Grill was on the right, along with Night Owl’s Bar. Make a right at the courthouse and the gas station was on the corner. The ice-cream shop was across from the courthouse.