“Shelby is dead and buried as far as Muriel is concerned. No, I’m talking about the death of my uncle Jarvis. The way things ended was rough on her because she thinks he died being disappointed and angry with her.” She took a breath and made eye contact with Remi. “Trust her to treat Kristen the way you’d want her treated. The way I saw it, Muriel needed someone who’d lower a ladder into that dark pit she’d dug for herself, and Kristen had enough courage to do that.”

“You know how protective I am of them. I don’t know anyone who had a rougher start than Dallas and her sister, and now all I want is for them to never know that kind of fear again.” Remi closed her eyes for a moment.

Cain knew Dallas’s history. She’d done what she’d had to do to keep Kristen safe. “The sacrifices Dallas made for her little sister are something I admire. You’ll do what you have to in order for all that to stay buried for her, and Muriel will do the same for Kristen.” She offered Remi her hand and smiled when she took it. “And I’ll make you a deal—the liquor is on me for both weddings.”

“That I’ll hold you to. I’m at my limit with all these plans, but I keep my mouth shut no matter what. She’s having the time of her life planning with Emma, and that gives me all the patience I need.” Remi laughed, and the captain announced they’d be on the ground in a few minutes.

She took her burner phone out and called Katlin. “Are you there?”

“We got here a few hours ago, but the house is quiet. They’re not in there, and I’m not going out looking in case I miss them.” Katlin spoke in a soft tone as if the neighbors would hear her. “This town isn’t much, and I’m shocked no one’s called the cops with us sitting out here. You know how these small towns are.”

“That’s one of the things I love about Haywood. Strangers don’t blend in. They either know you, or they don’t.” The wheels hit the tarmac, and she pressed her feet into the floor as the pilot bled off speed. “Take off and use the binoculars. If you’re too close, you’re going to spook her when she comes back from wherever she is.”

“Okay,” Katlin said, and Cain heard the engine start. “Are you on the ground?”

“We just landed, so we’ll be about a half hour. Call me when she gets back.” They came down the stairs of the plane and waved to Jerry. The man who’d married Emma’s best friend in her hometown was a good man who didn’t ask a lot of questions. “Hey, thanks for doing this.”