“Elizabeth is just as culpable. She had to have known the accident was planned. She used the opportunity to slit the deputy’s throat when he was stopped in the traffic.”

“He’s dead, too?”

“Yes,” Silas confirmed. “Diamond would have died, too, if we hadn’t seen where the deputy must have pulled over when Elizabeth threatened Diamond with a knife in the back seat.”

“Will they finally arrest Kate?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Matthew answered, gingerly scooting over to sit next to her. “I guess, if the sheriff can prove she was in on the plan.”

“She was the one who planned it. I’m sure, Matthew. Owen wouldn’t tie his shoes without Kate’s permission.”

“I’ll talk to Knox once he knows Diamond is okay.”

None of them were safe until Kate was where she deserved to be. She should leave …

“She won’t go unpunished,” Matthew promised her. “But making yourself a target to keep us safe isn’t going to happen.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?” She narrowed her eyes on him. “Are any of you mind readers?”

Matthew grinned. “Not yet, but we won’t know until my brothers start having children.”

Morosely, she wiped the tears she had shed for Elizabeth from her cheeks. “You won’t …”

Matthew gave her a tender smile. “You’re my soul mate, Alanna. I love you. Besides”—he grew teasing—“all of my brothers have promised me their firstborn child.”

His brothers’ mouths flew open at his outlandish claim.

“We told you,” Isaac reminded him, “that you can be the first to hold them.”

Silas tilted his head to the side, as if he could hear something no one else could. “Moses, Isaac, come with me. Tate and Dustin are about to come home.”

Alanna swallowed hard. “Don’t burn her like you did Owen.”

Silas gave her a gentle look. “We weren’t going to. There’s a cemetery where our family is buried. I thought we would bury her there. I’ll make her a nice box.”

Alanna held the tears for Elizabeth at bay. Her mind went to the mother whose arms would be empty tonight because of Elizabeth’s actions instead. If Elizabeth had been aware of the plan, then Silas was right—she was just as culpable.

Matthew helped her to stand then led her into Silas’ house. Sitting her at the table, he went to the kitchen and returned with a plate of rice from the Crock-Pot meal she had made for Silas.

“I can’t eat.” She started to push the small plate away.

“I just gave you some rice. Just take a few bites to settle your stomach.”