The sheriff showed up just after dawn. He climbed out of his car, his thumbs hooked in his belt to give the illusion of calm, but even from the porch Rose could see the fine beads of sweat on his temples and brow. His deputy didn't have the sense to hide his nerves at being up in the hollow.

"So what happened here?" he asked, looking around. "We got word from Floyd, he spotted what looked like there was trouble on his way into work."

Rose glanced once at the charred cross and the remains of the hanging rope left on a tree and rose to her feet. "We had visitors last night."

Forrest sat on the porch in front of her and she reached down and laid a hand on his shoulder. He reached back and gave hers a squeeze.

"And who might those be?" the deputy asked.

Rose squinted at the deputy, there was something off about the way he stood. Forrest rose to his feet. "There something wrong with your shoulder deputy?"

He opened and closed his mouth like a cat fish. The sheriff looked back and forth between them before he stepped in front of his deputy. "Why don't y'all tell me what happened. You got coffee on?"

"I'll make some, right this way." She said all gracious southern manners. She held the door for them and watched as the sheriff faltered at the sight of Eddie laid out on the table.

"Wha-?" he started to ask.

The deputy didn't flinch. Rose looked from the deputy and caught Forrest's eye, but he shook his head slightly. Grinding her teeth she stalked off towards the kitchen. While she was preparing coffee she heard Forrest recounting the story, only he left out the part about her doing the shooting.

"So," the sheriff was saying as Rose placed coffee in front of him and Forrest. She glared at the deputy and took her seat next to Forrest. He reached under the table and took her hand and gave it a warning squeeze. "Thank you ma'am," the sheriff said. "they came in, told you meddlers would be dealt with, lynched your friend and started shootin at you boys. You fought back, wrestled a gun away from one, clipped a few, and they all ran off like little bunny rabbits. Is that right?"

Forrest took a swig of his coffee. "Sounds about right. Peter?" he asked.

"That's what I recall."

The sheriff looked around the room. "And where is Arthur? I'd like to get his statement on what happened."

Rose leaned forward. "Arthur left almost immediately after it happened to go make sure Miss Lilly was alright and break the news to her. She's been down staying at her mama's. Her mama's been ill."

The sheriff nodded at that too and turned to look Rose hard in the face. "And you Miss Rose? Where were you when all this happened?"

"When the commotion started I was in my bed in my bedroom of course. When I heard it I jumped up and went to see what was the matter."

"In your bed, by yourself?" the deputy asked unkindly.

Rose froze at his implication. Her eyes immediately went to Forrest who was glaring at the young man, but it was Peter who stood up sharply, slamming his fist against the table.

"Peter." Forrest said calmly.

"Go wait outside deputy." The sheriff said sternly.

The deputy cast one last sneer at Rose before he marched out the door.

"I'm sorry about that ma'am. He's from Bogcreek, a few towns over. They just don't know their manners over there I'm afraid."

Rose sniffed. "Well, be that as it may. I was in my bedroom. Alone." She said pointedly. "When I heard the commotion. I came down the stairs and they had the Garrett's at gunpoint. At that point I didn't see Eddie, I didn't know he was dead until after. The men in the hoods and bed sheets made some unkind threats about me, and Forrest told me to go wait behind the counter where I'd be safe." Rose managed to muster up a few tears as she recounted her story and gave a delicate sniff. "They marched the Garrett's outside at gun point and I thought they would all be killed. But then I heard shots and yelling and I hid behind the counter until Forrest came and told me everything was all right and we were safe."

The sheriff nodded as though that was exactly what he expected out of a girl like her. "Well I'm sorry to upset you ma'am. And Mr. Garrett, Mr. Garrett," he turned to both Peter and Forrest in kind. "I truly am sorry for your loss. You seem to have gotten yourselves mixed up with the Klan somehow. My deputy and I will do our best to keep you and everyone in this town safe until this matter is resolved." The sheriff clapped his hat back on his head and started for the door.

"Sheriff," Forrest called from his seat.

The sheriff turned to face Forrest.

"One of the men, he was a smaller fell'er. His accent put him from someplace not too far from these parts, I sprayed him 'cross the right shoulder with shot. Can't imagine he'll be mov'in too well for a while."

The sheriff's look turned grim and he nodded. "I'll keep my eyes open Forrest," he turned to go, but paused once more just inside the door. "Thank you boys, for bringing this to my attention. You'll should come down to town some time and stop by the café. Mrs. Avery said she would bake another pecan pie for Arthur the next time he wants lunch."

The three of them waited until the sheriffs car pulled away before any of them spoke.

"An invitation to the sheriff's for lunch, I would say we are losing our edge brother," Peter said, clapping Forrest on the back. "I am going upstairs to get some sleep. You both should do the same." He walked to the door and closed it, leaving the closed sign out front.

Rose worried at her lip as Peter climbed the stairs.

"What's on your mind Rose?" Forrest asked, scrubbing at the gritty feeling in his eyes.

"You boys have been losing an awful lot of business the last few days."

Forrest smiled. "It has been a rough couple of days...don't fret, I assure you our income from the store doesn't make a dent in our income from our other business ventures." He gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Come upstairs with me, we need to get you in bed."

Rose turned shocked eyes to Forrest. She had never dreamed he would say anything like that. Had last night changed his opinion of her? What had happened was horrible, but she strangely felt good about herself for standing up for herself and those that she loved. She hadn't sat back and waited for the brother's to come to her rescue. She had gone to theirs.

"I didn't mean like that," he said shaking his head. "I'm too tired to be talking." He chuckled. "Come on Annie Oakely, you need sleep too. You are swaying on your feet." He ushered her up the stairs. He opened her bedroom door and waited until she went in.

"You saved us, you know."

She turned back to him. "I wasn't sure what they intended. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do."

Forrest shook his head. "Even if they hadn't planned on murdering us last night. The damage we did to Cassidy and those other boys, I assure you the three of us would not be standing this morning. Thank you." He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers in a featherlight caress.

Rose closed her eyes and wanted so badly to lean into the contact. But he was already gone. "Sleep well Lorelei."