“More proof you know me so well. But I wouldn’t miss this for the world. We’ll spend the day together.”

“Come over as soon as you can. I’m working on something.”

“Oh yeah? Can I have a preview?”

“Nope. I’ll show you when you get here.”

* * *

Through Nana’s window, we see that the inn’s parking lot is full—not full, packed! This isn’t a few people, it’s a rally!

“Nana, come outside,” I plead. “All these people are here to support us.”

“I don’t like crowds and I don’t like a fuss,” she says.

“They’ll be asking for you.”

“Then they can come into the inn for coffee, tea, and cake after. Now go.”

“All right. I’m going, but if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

With a sigh, I head outside and join Logan in handing out the posters I designed and had printed on heavy cardstock. At Logan’s insistence, I made one hundred, thinking it would be too much. I was so wrong. Logan’s dad will be bringing two hundred more.

People gather underneath our apartment entrance and fan out across the parking lot. Many stand together in small groups, talking and drinking coffee in to-go cups that Dad and Mom provided. Some point at the vandalism. To its right, a wooden ladder leans against the stone wall.

It’s a warm day for late February—forty-six degrees—and I unzip my coat and scan the crowd for Logan. I finally spot her with Mom, standing off to the side surrounded by several women I recognize from the Junior Women’s League. When Logan spies me, she waves.

“No luck getting Nana to come outside?” Mom asks when I reach her side.

“Nope.”

“I’m not surprised,” Dad says, joining us with Professor March. “She hates crowds.”

“Exactly what she said.”

Dad sets a hand on my shoulder. “Cade, we want you to speak to the crowd.”

“What? No. I can’t.”

Mom cuts in. “You and Logan,” she says, like it’s an opportunity we can’t refuse.

“But I hate giving speeches,” I say.

“It would mean a lot to everyone if you did it,” Dad says.

Resigned, I ask, “What should we say?”

“Whatever’s in your heart,” he answers.

Professor March gives Dad some more posters and says, “We’re going to finish passing these out. You did a great job with these, Cade. I have no doubt after today we’ll see these in the windows of every business and many Riviere homes. It’s exactly what our community needs.”

Mom leads Logan and me through the crowd, stopping to greet people and to give and receive hugs. Logan and I are stopped, too. Over and over people tell us that we’re brave, that they are proud of us. I can’t help but smile and thank them for their support.