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Jay too. He’d left them the farm and clues to help them put together the mystery of the past. The clues weren’t deliberate, but they still helped.

Rissa moved into the kitchen to refill the kettle and put on another pot of coffee. Even while he was absorbed in the mystery and discussing it with his family, Burke had already had several mugs. He’d probably need more to stay awake and alert for the day.

Which made her smile. One night without sleep wouldn’t slow him down. He’d been so focused as a teen; he’d studied late into the nights to make room for his jobs. She doubted any of that had changed.

This family mystery would take his mind off Curt’s betrayal and the mess he’d been involved with back in Boston. She couldn’t imagine being approached by the FBI to investigate one of his co-workers, worse, his mentee.

The FBI had to have investigated Burke before the request, and she wasn’t surprised they’d picked him. He had unimpeachable ethics and morals, and a willingness to work hard. He was also able to keep his thoughts to himself.

Although he’d shared a few with her, they were reconnecting in a way Rissa had never believed would happen. It thrilled her and made her question her future. She’d imagined roaming the country in her Q Lab with Frizzle for the rest of her life. While she’d dreamed of finding an actual home someday, she hadn’t really believed it would happen.

Her mother’s death had changed her world. Kevin Quinnell had become hard and miserable. His death before she’d turned eighteen had been difficult in that she’d had to figure out a place to stay, a way to support herself, but it had also made life far more peaceful.

Then she’d thought she’d found a home in Charleston. She’d adored her jobs at the science center and been flattered when Dan showed interest in her.

A shudder ran through her, and she rubbed her sweater where it covered the proof that Dan was another abusive jerk she was glad to leave in her past.

The kettle whistled, breaking Rissa from her reverie. She filled a teapot with chai, knowing that it was the most popular tea here at the farm, and added the fresh pot of coffee.

As she picked up the tray, Frizzle alerted Rissa to someone’s approach. She knew she was safe at the farm, but her recent thoughts had her wary until Jolie swung through the door. “I’ve got Stan Phail on the phone. He thinks he knows who Linda is. Come on.”

Jolie held open the door for Rissa and Frizzle, then took her seat. “Okay, Stan. You’re on speaker with everyone here at the farm, including Charlie, so keep it family-rated.”

Rissa didn’t know Stan, but his laugh boomed through the phone, making her like him in an instant. “My young whippersnapper friend has probably heard more bad words than I’ve ever known.”

Olivia’s eyes widened, but the rest of the room laughed, including Charlie and little Ella Mae.

Stan continued. “I hear the cutie. Hi there, Ella Mae. How’s our girl today?”

Ella clapped her hands. “Tan, Tan. Cookies.”

Stan laughed again. “I’m betting you’re not getting cookies for breakfast. But you enjoy them anyway.”

Charlie piped in. “Stan, Jolie says you know a Linda that might be the one Jay wrote notes about in his books.”

“I might.”

Burke tensed beside Rissa, and she took his hand. Instead of letting her go, Burke linked their fingers and drew in a deep breath. Then he smiled at her and lifted her hand to kiss it.

Swoon. She might swoon. No one had ever kissed her hand before, just like a romance novel.

When Stan spoke again, Burke smiled before tuning back into the conversation.

“There was a Linda Morrison who rented a small home just outside Phail for a short while, a couple of years back. She said she and Jay knew each other over in Michigan. I only met her a couple of times.”

Jolie laughed. “But you still have information for us. You know everyone, Stan.”

His chuckle made everyone smile.

“True. Gotta make sure these outsiders are up to Phail’s standards.”

Rissa flinched at that. Would she pass Stan’s judgment?

Burke let go of her hand and shifted his chair closer to hers so he could lay his arm over the back of her chair, offering reassurance.

Oblivious to her discomfort, Stan continued. “Linda knew Jay from a small town in Michigan. She’d been widowed for a few years, and most people thought she was chasing down Jay to get herself another husband.”

Lawson laughed. “If Jay was anything like Fox, that probably didn’t go over well. Fox said Janica had been his perfect partner, and he never had any interest in finding someone else. Despite all of Amber’s efforts to find him a girlfriend.”