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I was about to go to my apartment when something across the square caught my eye. Dale was rolling a cart of drinks, and he was struggling up the sidewalk. The cart tipped sideways, and disaster was imminent.

“Shit,” I said, darting to catch it. My hands landed on the drinks just in time.

“What the . . . Oh, Jade. Thank you.” Dale sighed. “These sidewalks are so uneven.”

“I’ll help you,” I said as I pushed. “This thing is heavy as fuck.”

“It’s the fancy glass bottles. I thought I was stronger than I am.”

We made it to the store and got the bottles inside. Both of us were out of breath, and he gave me a drink to cool off.

“I need to work out more,” I said.

“That was flat. Why was it so hard?” he groaned. I shook my head and took a sip. “Are you still mad at me for being rude?”

“A little, but I’ll get over it.”

“You could’ve let me suffer then.”

“Come on, Dale. I’m not cruel.”

He laughed. “You’re a good kid. A little wild, but good. All of us think that.”

“Thanks,” I said. “You know, you all could tell me a little more.”

“Yeah, right. You’ll get a big-ass head.”

I rolled my eyes and was about to argue, but my eyes caught on movement outside.

Gabriel was walking down the sidewalk. I frowned. What was he up to?

“Hey, Dale,” I said. “I need to go.”

“Oh, you’ve got that look. I bet it’s Gabriel related.”

I waved him off and went outside, watching to see where Gabriel went.

He disappeared inside town hall, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell he was doing there. He had no business with anything to do with Strawberry Springs, or at least that’s what I’d told myself.

I went in, trying my best to keep quiet. He was heading down the hallway toward the mayor’s office, and I wound up having to hide behind a plant.

“So, you showed up,” Toby said. “I thought you said you wouldn’t.”

“I’m hoping both of you have seen sense. I hear some historical trees have stopped you.”

“Those historical records are bullshit and you know it.” That was Kevin’s voice. Holy shit, Gabriel had a meeting with both of them.

“They worked for now.”

“You told her about those. I don’t know how, but you did.”

“Jade may have found some interesting information at the library.”

He knew about the note? How?

“You’re playing a dangerous game. You do realize I could tell her who you are.”

“And you’d want her to leave you alone. She’s not gonna take a deal like that.”