“I was in the café last night and someone called Lila an outsider and Dixie nearly took his head off,” Noelle explained. “I swear she told everyone if they had a problem with the new doc helping women leave their abusive husbands, then they should understand they weren’t welcome in her café. There were a whole bunch of old guys who shut their mouths real fast.”

Since Dixie’s was one of the only places in town to get a good breakfast, he could bet they had. It was good to know they had at least one person on their side. It didn’t solve the problem, though. “I don’t have any proof that the Petries had anything to do with the fire, and it could be a while before I do. That means Lila could be in danger. If she comes to stay with us, that means you might be in danger, too.”

“I’ll be fine, and I think they’ll think twice before coming after her in the sheriff’s home. She should stay with us.”

That was what he’d hoped she would say. And the truth of the matter was the Petries would be stupid to push it any further. He had a security system, and his house wasn’t vulnerable the way hers had been. “I’ll talk to her. Now tell me why you threw away the counselor’s letter.”

Her eyes widened and a fine flush made her skin pink. “How do you know about that?”

“Lila found it. She didn’t know what it was.”

Noelle frowned. “I wish she’d given it back to me instead of reading it.”

“Why, sweetheart? That was nothing to be ashamed of.”

“And it was also nothing to get excited about. It doesn’t mean anything. I’m going to find an online school and I’m going to get a business degree. I might look into accounting. There’s always work for accountants.”

Somehow he couldn’t see her as an accountant. “I thought you wanted to be a chemist.”

“I can’t get an advanced degree in chemistry online, not one that would get me a good job, and there’s not a lot of call for chemists in Papillon. I’m realistic, Dad. The counselor can talk all she wants, but she’s not the one who would have to figure out a way to get around campus. It’s fine here.”

“Lila thinks you might have more mobility if she changes your physical therapy.” He didn’t want to give her false hope, but he also didn’t want her to not try.

A long sigh came from his daughter’s mouth. “She wants to fix me.”