But she also deserved not to carry a heavy burden that was meant for adults alone.

“I don’t know all the answers yet, Daisy, but there are a few important things I need to figure out first,” I told her quietly.

“Is Deputy Parker part of this secret?” she asked with sudden sharpness.

The unexpected question hit me hard.

I sat down on the edge of the mattress and pulled her closer.

“Why would you ask something like that about Austin?”

“Because Dad wrote his name on that paper,” Daisy replied simply.