Sparse, not a single extra word to it. Why hadn’t he come to bed? Feeling out of sorts and frustrated with herself, she headed to the original Creative Interiors. The store wasn’t open yet but Camille and Tina were there, sitting at the back table. They had a fresh pitcher of iced tea and a stack of catalogs, which they were poring over together.

“Hello darling,” Tina said with a smile. “We’re contemplating some of our fall stock.”

“What’s missing from last night? Anything?” Summer asked, her stomach tightening with nerves.

“Not a thing,” Tina said.

Camille stood up and grabbed another glass, which she filled with iced tea. “Chamomile,” she said, and handed it to Summer.

For its calming effect. “Thanks.”

Camille stroked a finger over her cheek, then turned away and sat back down.

Tina patted a chair. “Sit, darling Summer. It wasn’t what the police thought. Braden had a key.”

“He’d left his wallet,” Camille said. “And forgot about the alarm.”

“They took him in for questioning this morning, but let him go,” Tina said. “Chloe’s hot under the collar about it, says he’s done nothing wrong.”

“And what do you think?” Summer asked.

“I want to think the same. I do think the same. But Braden’s pride is hurt and he’s quit.”

“How did Chloe take that?”

“Not well, as you can imagine. It’s all such a mess. Gregg thinks he’s being investigated for the fires, and Stella’s going crazy. The twins…I found cigarettes in the outside trash this morning.” Tina sighed and looked at Camille. “Our group is losing it, but I just keep reminding myself we’ve never once made a wrong decision on any of the people in our lives, right?”

Camille looked at Tina for a long moment. “I’d like to think not,” she said very softly, and began adding sugar to her tea.

Summer leaned in and hugged her mom. “You doing okay?”

“Always.” But she let go of her teaspoon and hugged Summer back, hard. “Always.” Then she pulled free and stroked Summer’s hair from her forehead. “And because I am, it’s time.”

“Time?” Summer glanced at Tina, but her aunt lifted a shoulder. “Time for what?”

“For you to go back to your life.”

“Mom.” She pushed her tea away. “We’ve discussed this. I’m staying until it’s all over.” She thought of the text messages and knew she should tell them before they heard it from Joe. “And there’s something else you both should know.”

“Uh oh,” Tina said.

Summer kept her hand on her mother’s so she couldn’t reach for the sugar. “I’ve received two text messages, anonymously, suggesting I need to leave.”

Camille jerked, and spilled her tea. “Oh! I’m sorry.” She jumped up and grabbed a towel.

Tina didn’t move, just sat there in shock.