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“For your heartbreak, you get a brownie for breakfast,” her mom said and slid the plate of chocolate frosted brownies her way. She’d baked them fresh the day before to celebrate Aster’s arrival home. Little things like that, small touches to let others know she cared, were one of the best things about her mom. Being out in the world had been life-changing for Aster, but there was nothing more comforting than having a mom like Marilyn.

“I accept this brownie. I’ve earned it.” She snagged one with lots of frosting and took a bite. “I’m heading over to Hole in One in a bit to meet with Tori.”

Her mom nodded. “She’s done well with the place. I think you’ll be pleased.”

“Word is she’s offering six flavors a day. Ambitious. I think she’s going to make me an offer on the business.”

“And how do you feel about that? Ready to give it all up?” Her mom’s forehead creased with concern. “You put a lot into that shop.”

She had. Her lifeblood. But it had always felt like the beginning of something much bigger. A stepping stone. “It’s touchy. I love that place, but maybe I’ve outgrown it to a certain extent.” She chewed herbrownie for a moment, still unsure. “And I’d love it to go to someone who has the same kind of passion for it that I did. Tori has been there since the beginning.”

“Still. It must be hard.”

“Still.” She met her mother’s gaze, unsure how to segue into a discussion about Violet, knowing from Marigold that it was likely her mother didn’t know all that had been going on. “How are things at The Lavender House?” She’d ease into it slowly. Back the car into the garage with finesse.

“Business is up seven percent this year, and our margins are improving on the infused dish towels, too.” She tossed a celebratory fist in the air for the project she’d been working on for a while.

“And Violet and Marigold are killing it in sales?”

“They’re a powerhouse team. Marigold has really taken control over there.”

“Does that mean Violet has faded a bit, because I’m worried some.”

Her mother put the lid back on the creamer. “She’s quieter these days.”

“Mom.” She held eye contact, communicating silently.

That’s when her mother’s entire tone changed. “Tell me what’s going on.” She moved to Aster in mama bear mode and paused, one hand on her hip, waiting.

She bit the bullet. “I don’t think Tad treats her all that great, Mom. In fact, he sounds awful behind closed doors. Controlling. Mean.”

“I know they’ve argued lately.”

“Marigold says it’s all Tad. That he yells. That he’s hit her at least once.”

Her mother straightened, and Aster knew there was no undoing this now. Her mother wouldn’t sit idly by. She wasn’t the type, especially where her children were involved. “Marigold said this to you. Why hasn’t she said this to me? This is unacceptable.”

“Sister code is different than parent code. We tell each other things that don’t always get back to you and Dad. And I just pretty much broke that code, but I’ll take the heat. Worthy cause.”

“Damn right it is,” her mother said, getting loud, which she never did. “If he hit her, so help me, Aster, that boy will see stars. I’ll sendyour father over there, and he’ll see how it is.” She seemed to be looking for her purse.

Aster held up a hand, wanting to slow everything down. They needed to be smart about this, and that meant thinking clearly. “I think we press pause on Dad slamming Tad’s face into the wall until we can get a handle on this thing.”

“Well, I’m going over there today.”

“Okay, I think that’s good, but maybe as the warm, concerned mom that you are and not woman on a warpath? I mean, this isn’t my area, but I’m thinking we should stay calm. And maybe go over when Tad’s not home, so you can speak to Violet privately. If there’s anyone’s opinion she values, it’s yours, Mom. That’s a compliment.”

Her mother took a deep cleansing breath, and Aster could see that she was getting through. This was good. “I hear you. And I will internalize your advice.” She took Aster’s cheeks between her fingers. “But no one hurts any one of you. Do you hear me? Not my babies.”

“Yes, ma’am. I do.”

Relief infused everything. Her mom had the information now and would help. Violet was going to be okay.

She had to be.

Chapter Nine

Larry’s Last Stop was more crowded than it had any business being on a Wednesday. It felt like the whole town had filled up the wooden tables that surrounded a small dance floor in front of what had to be the tiniest stage in history, used tonight for bad karaoke. Brynn scanned the room and finally found her date, Tyler, nursing her beer at a high-top table along the wall. With Micah in Wichita for the next few days, she and Tyler decided to burn a girl’s night and blow off a little steam. Brynn was particularly looking forward to getting her buzz on and moving past the wayward thoughts that had her off balance and preoccupied with glasses of ice water in her damn kitchen.