raising an ungrateful little stray.”
Lily’s fingers curled inside her sleeves.
She counted three breaths.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then she looked at the sheriff.
“You’re witnessing him admit he took property that wasn’t his.”
Sheriff Mercer’s face hardened.
“Careful.”
“I am careful.”
“That mouth is why nobody wants you around.”
“No,” Lily said softly. “That mouth is why he’s afraid of me.”
The laughter stopped.
Buck’s eyes narrowed.
The wind pushed rainwater down Lily’s neck. Her hair clung to her cheeks. Her stomach was empty enough to hurt.
But she
