My mother was concerned with the public view, too. When they perceived my dad as a threat to Jake Kane, grieving father and employer of half the community, she worried her way right out of our lives. Somehow I suspected Mathias' mother hadn't been as bad about it. But then, it's hard to tell what people will do in that position until they're put there, in a spotlight they never wanted.

"And still you managed to turn out alright," she joked, lips twisting wryly. That kind of scrutiny, after all, had only made Lilly wilder still.