“Nice! This is so adorable. I’m jealous.”

“This used to be a sort of artist’s studio for the man who built the house originally. They moved away, and my brother Danny and his wife bought the big house so the rent is cheap, I see my nieces a lot, but it’s private and no one bugs me.”

“Sounds like heaven.”

“Let’s get on the road. I’m already starving so lunch needs to be in my life and soon.”

They headed out, with Melissa driving as she knew where she was headed.

Once they’d cleared town, Caroline settled back.

“Right now I’m in an apartment. It’s convenient. Walking distance to work. Five minutes from the grocery store. I really like Main Street. It’s pretty and festive so it’s a great view. But it’s not a home. It’s a temporary place to sleep while I figure out where to truly put down roots. Seeing your house today makes me underline the figure out where to live item on my to-do list.”

“My sister-in-law is a real estate agent so remind me when I’m not driving to get you her card. I’ll introduce you. She’s great, and I’m sure she can find you something you really like.”

“Much appreciated. I’m month-to-month with my place but now that I have a job and I’m settling in to town, I need to walk around more to get a feel of all the neighborhoods and then find—hopefully—the perfect place.”

“Smart. So tell me about your date.”

She told Melissa about how Royal had showed up after work and how they’d gone out for dinner and drinks. “And okay, so are you friends with Anne Murphy?”

“Oh, girl. I know the Murphys. We grew up not too far from each other. I also know she and Royal were together for many years, but he broke things off for good about a year and a half ago. They’re still close though, so I think she comes with the mile-long legs and the very nice butt.”

“I know. She wasn’t totally rude last night, but she made sure to mention to me that they’d dated and she kept her arm around his waist. I’m not in any position to be jealous really. It was a first date and they have something far deeper than that.”

Melissa blew raspberries. “Whatever. She had her chance. More than once. He sounded like he was embarrassed.”

Caroline thought over his reaction again. “He seemed surprised at first. I got the feeling she’d been okay around women he’d dated before or at the very least that her reaction was unusual. He said she didn’t mean to be rude. I was like, dude, duh of course she did. But he skirted around it in a mainly charming guy way, and I certainly didn’t want to argue about it. She’s probably being protective.”

After a beat Caroline guffawed. “Look at me being charitable.”

Melissa snickered. “Maybe. But it’s over in any case so too bad so sad. I say we can put her on probation. She can be on the we don’t like her list until she proves herself.”

“Ha! I’m so glad I know you.”

They laughed as they pulled into the lot of what could only generously be called a hole in the wall.

Once Melissa parked she turned to Caroline and put a hand up. “Okay, so I know it looks bad. But once on the way back to Petal after seeing a concert in Atlanta, this was the only place open and we were starving. I promise you’ll be thanking me in about an hour.”

“Okay then.” They headed inside where Melissa proved to be telling the truth about how good the food was.

Caroline raised her glass of tea before finishing it. “You have no idea how much I needed that today. So thank you.”

“I’m so glad you’re in Petal. I know it’s hard. And I know you’re feeling alone. But I’m your friend so don’t forget that.”

Caroline hadn’t forgotten it, but it had been really nice to hear anyway.

“The next order of business is to find something to wear for my date next week. He’s making me dinner, and then we’re going dancing at the Tonk. I’ve never gone dancing at the Tonk. I was sixteen when I moved away. Do I wear jeans? A skirt? What sort of shoes?”

As they left the restaurant, Melissa linked her arm with Caroline’s. “We’ve got this, Caroline. You’re going to knock his socks off.”

She looked up at the tap on her door and smiled when she caught sight of Edward.

“Do you have a few minutes?”

“Like two maybe?” Caroline looked at her watch. “I have an appointment with an investigator regarding my father’s case at ten thirty.”

Edward nodded. “Ah! Perfect.” He held up the folder she’d provided when he’d asked about the case.

She waved at the little seating area in her office. “Sit, please.”

They settled and she pretended she didn’t notice the file folder in his hands as he placed it on the table. “So I read all this over.”

After he’d asked for everything she had about her father’s case, she’d handed it over the following afternoon. A little over a week had passed and she’d gotten more nervous every day.

“Your talents are wasted doing this job, Caroline. You need to be one of those crusading investigative attorneys who free people all over the country.”

She made herself remain silent, but she blushed at the compliment.

He flipped the file open, and she saw he’d made notes on a separate page. “The level of dogged research, of triple and quadruple checking and interviewing you’ve done is meticulous. I had my doubts, as I told you, of his guilt. After reading everything you’ve gathered, I’m absolutely convinced your father wasn’t guilty.”