The weather was changing, shifting toward autumn. Summer was drawing to an end. So was my time here, in this quiet, beautiful refuge. Tomorrow was coming, and it was painful to think about. Tomorrow meant change. It meant saying good-bye. Starting from scratch all over again.When I tried to imagine where Deputy Price would take me, what my new bedroom would look like, what my new job would be, everything went blurry. I wanted to stay here. I wasn’t ready to leave. Part of me, a very small, unrealistic part, daydreamed about what it would be like to stay permanently. To make Thunder Basin my home.But even if Trigger hadn’t jeopardized my cover, could I ever feel satisfied here? Or would I grow bored, restless, and resentful? More importantly, could I make a life here when I’d lied to everyone?No. No, I could not.I had to be realistic. It was time to move on. Sooner than I’d planned, but guess what? That was life. I could cry over it, or I could be a big girl and tough it out.I tucked my knees to my chest and drank in the candy-like fragrance of the August lilies.
