She shrugged. “That's different."
"It's not, you know.” He picked up a toothpick from the small container on the counter and fiddled idly with it. “Are you ever going to confront him about his actions?"
"I have."
"I mean for you, not for Neva."
She grimaced. “It really doesn't matter anymore."
"It does when it stops you from fully jumping into a relationship you desperately want."
She glanced at him sharply. “That's not true. I'm planning for Cade to hang around long after this investigation is over."
"Good girl."
She poked her tongue out at him, and he grinned.
"But,” he continued, “that doesn't answer the question. Do you intend to tell your old man about Rosehall and Cade?"
"Definitely Cade."
"But not Rosehall?” He caught her hand and squeezed it gently. “You never were a coward, Savannah. Don't start being one now."
"I've always been a coward,” she refuted softly. “I ran from Cade ten years ago rather than face up to what we'd both done. I came straight home and hid the wilder part of me, afraid of what others might think. And I'm still afraid of telling my old man about Rosehall and my time there."
"You did nothing wrong."
"He won't see it that way."
"Maybe he needs to. Maybe if he realizes it was his rigid rules that drove you from town in the first place, it might make him rethink his current views."
She laughed. “My dad? I don't think so.” She glanced past him as a short woman with graying hair came through a doorway wiping her hands on a tea towel.
The woman smiled brightly. “What can I do for you two loves?"
"We wouldn't mind a couple of burgers with those onions you're frying up,” Savannah said, “And we'd like to speak to the owner or manager, if that's possible."
"Two burgs with the lot, Frank,” the woman yelled, and then she rested her fleshy hands on the counter as she studied them. “And I'm both. What can I do for you?"
"Rangers Grant and Harris,” she replied, showing the woman her badge even though the ranger uniform made it obvious who they were. “We believe you've had a young blonde woman working the night shift here for the last few weeks."
The woman snorted. “Working is a term I'd use loosely when it comes to that young tart, but yeah, she was here. Why? What has she done?"
"We believe she might be able to help us with a current investigation.” Savannah hesitated. “Can you tell us a bit about her?"
"She said her name was Candy Jackson. What mother in her right mind names their kid Candy these days, I ask you? No wonder the woman was a flake."
Savannah resisted the urge to smile. “Flake in what way?"
"Always chatting up the customers, always asking stupid questions, never actually doing half the things she was supposed to do."
She shared a glance with Ronan. Maybe they'd just got their first really good lead.
"What type of questions?” he asked.
The woman shrugged. “About the different packs, who ran them, and who was on the council.” She hesitated and frowned. “You know, I heard her asking people about you and your family, Ranger Grant. Seemed awfully interested in where you all lived and what you all did. Not that it's hard information to find out, like. All anyone with half a brain had to do was pick up a phone book or check out the town's website. You and your dad are prominent."
True, but whoever committed the recent murders obviously wasn't overburdened with a logical mind. “Have you seen her recently?"