Chapter 172

"Yes, that's exactly what it was!" Hope knew she couldn't tell her parents or the deputies precisely what had happened at Judah's place because it wasn't their business, and she didn't want to disclose any personal details. A memory of Judah's arms around her, his soft voice in her ear as they swayed back and forth across the treehouse floor invaded her thoughts, and she had to close her eyes for a moment.

"Are you all right, Hope?" her mother asked, her hand on Hope's arm.