“When was the last time she left Lost Lake? I mean for a trip or a vacation?”

“It’s been years.” Wes raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I think Eby wants to leave. But the more I think about, the more I’m convinced she doesn’t want to sell.” There. She said it out loud, and it didn’t sound as outlandish as she thought. There was something more going on with her great-aunt. Eby’s decision to sell wasn’t as straightforward as she was letting on.

Wes shook his head. “I think it’s too late.”

“She hasn’t signed anything. She told me.”

“What I mean is, it’s not just a matter of wanting to stay. There’s a matter of capital, too,” Wes said tactfully.

“Oh. I see.” She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. It never occurred to her that Eby couldn’t afford to stay.

Several quiet minutes passed. The thought had been immediate. She kept pushing it away, but it kept rolling back to her. Could she? Would she? Was it possible? Would Eby even let her?

“I know that look. You always got that look on your face before you jumped out of a tree or poked a snake and ran. What are you going to do now?” Wes asked suspiciously.

That made her laugh—that he knew her on such a level. “I’m thinking, what if I offer to buy Lost Lake, or at least buy into it? That way Eby won’t lose it. She can come back to it. Everyone can come back to it.” She turned to him and asked earnestly, “Does that sound crazy?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation.

That made her laugh again. “Good. Because if it made sense, I’m not sure she would agree to it.”

“Kate…”

“I haven’t said anything about it to her,” she said quickly. “Maybe I won’t. I don’t know. When I think about it, it makes me happy. That’s a good sign, right?”

“What about your life in Atlanta?” Wes asked, giving her the strangest look.

“What about it?”

“Your friends. Devin’s friends. Family. Job. You’re just going to leave it all?”

She finally understood. “Oh, you thought I meant I’d buy into Lost Lake and move here.”

“That’s not what you meant?”

“No. But…” Kate allowed herself to enjoy the thought. “Maybe I could. That doesn’t sound any more crazy than just giving Eby the money and leaving.”

He looked away. “Giving up everything isn’t as easy as it sounds.”

“Only if you have a lot to give up. The only thing that matters is Devin. And I think she’d be happy to stay here forever.”

“It’s getting late,” Wes said, suddenly standing. “We should get back.”

Kate stood and called to Devin. When Devin ran over to them, Kate asked, “Did you find what you were looking for?”