She reached across the table and touched the back of my hand.

Her skin was dry and cold, like paper left out in the sun.

“Then you know why we have to do this.

Your father has spent forty years building his reputation in the county.

We cannot let Caleb destroy everything.”

“Caleb did this to himself,” I said, pulling my hand back and placing it on my lap.

She stared at her empty coffee mug.

“If you do not help him, they will take his truck, Mara.