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Kerry laughed. “There are a lot of people asking me to forget a lot of things. That’s not usually what I do.”

“Trust me, I know. But her knowing I’m staring at her wouldn’t go well.”

“I’m sure it wouldn’t be that shocking.”

“Just this time. I don’t want her to know that I was at the library.”

“That kind of secret will cost you.”

I hesitated. There weren’t a lot of secrets I knew that I could offer her. I’d done my best to stay away from any information about the town.

Kerry took advantage of my silence and stepped forward. Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

“I heard about the land.”

“How?” she asked. “None of us told you.”

“You posted about trying to find Jade this morning.”

Kerry’s face went lax. “In our Facebook group. Don’t tell me you’re in it.”

There it was. Information I shouldn’t have given out. But it might work if I played this right. “Yes.”

She gasped. “No way. How long have you been in it?”

“Since it started.”

She covered her mouth, a smile blooming. “I can’t believe this.”

“This is another one of those things that we shouldn’t be putting in Facebook groups. I know Mollie had a conversation with you about that a few years ago.”

“Oh, you have been in there.”

“Kerry,” I said. “Please.”

“What? You don’t want Jade knowing that you care about us? Do you think she’ll want you to stay?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does. I see you watch us. It’s not the same way a lot of people who’ve left do. It’s like you’re hunting for something. It’s like you care. And I keep thinking to myself, why would someone who cares want to leave so much?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Will they hold up to Jade?”

“Don’t,” I said.

“So, they won’t. You know, I like Jade a lot. Even if we argue in our group, I care about her. If this is gonna make her happy, I’m gonna do it.”

“Kerry—”

“Give me one good reason not to look into this.”

“Because I can’t stay.” I finally let it out. “No matter how much I want to.”

“Why not?” Her brow creased. “Is it us? Did we do something to you?”

“None of you have done a thing. It’s the girls’ mother.”