Chase awkwardly hoists me into his truck but doesn't say anything to me. When we are halfway home, I break the silence by asking, "So what's Essie's deal? She seems a bit on the dramatic side, a little redneck crazy." Chase rubs his hand down his face while staring ahead and clears his throat. He still doesn't say anything so I add, "How does she know Ryan?" This finally gets him to look at me.

"We've known Essie since we lived in Nashville." I nod but he doesn't say anything else. He now looks completely uncomfortable and he refuses to look in my direction.

"Why did she move down to Tullahoma? It seems like a boring choice compared to Nashville." I ask and he clears his throat again before saying, "She lives right outside Tullahoma. Her uncle owns a bar that she bartends at. I think Nashville kind of ate her up- she wanted to be one of them country stars but never quite made it. She needed a change, so she came down here. A lot of guys from the base go up to that bar so I ran into her a few months ago." I can imagine Essie as a country star. She's gorgeous and I'm sure she can rock short shorts and cowboy boots up and down a stage.

"So, she no longer wants to sing?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"Sorta. She sings at the bar on the weekends." He seems weird talking about her. He keeps regripping the steering wheel tightly and his chest is leaning toward the wheel instead of relaxed in the seat. I look to him and say, "Well maybe when Ryan comes this weekend, we can go watch her sing. She can see I am not a threat." Chase lets out a bold laugh as he aggressively shakes his head no.

"Probably not the best idea. I think we need to keep y'all separated." I shake my head while rolling my eyes. Chase shoots me a look and says, "Do ya think you could keep tonight quiet from Ryan? He might be mad I took ya to the woods." I bite my cheek and wonder if that is in fact the best idea. He might not be too thrilled to know I left the base. I nod, "Yeah, I won't offer up the information but I won't lie if it comes up either." He lets out a long sigh and I watch as he hands our IDs to the gate guard. He doesn't say anything else as we pull up to his house and he leads the way inside. I slowly trot up the loud stairs and when I'm back into my room, I pull the burner phone out. I see I have a missed call from Annabeth. I glance to the time and realize she's probably still awake at this late hour. I decide to call her back and she answers on the first ring.

"Sawyer! Finally, I was hoping you'd call me back soon." I hear her running up her rickety stairs and a door slams shut seconds later.

"Why? What's up?" I ask her and when she catches her breath she says, "I need to ask you about this weekend." I think back to what could possibly be going on this weekend and come up blank, "Okay? What about it?"

I hear her scoff, "Did you forget? This weekend is the grand opening of the botanical gardens. The Samuels are hosting and you being Founder's Day Belle are supposed to come and cut the ribbon." I slap my forehead, now remembering my mother bothering me about this during the Founder's Day Parade, but I was ignoring her while I obsessing over Ryan. She tried to remind me before I left to Tennessee, but I was a bit preoccupied with worrying about being kidnapped. Clearly, I don't care much for grand openings and other events my mother cares about attending.

"Oh yeah, I forgot all about it. I highly doubt I'll be able to come down to Hollis for that though. Unless Simon is found in the next two days."

"Well ask if you can. I ran into LulaBelle today at the market and she told me Tate Samuels is coming down for the opening. He's coming to help gain publicity and take pictures for the paper. You are supposed to be with Tate in Philly, so it would look odd if you aren't there." I bite my lip knowing she's right. It wouldn't make any sense for him to leave me behind in Philly if I am supposed to come and cut the ribbon.

"Also, I had mentioned to LulaBelle that you might not make the ceremony and she was delighted!" Annabeth informs me. "She was going to go ask the Samuels if she can cut the ribbon if you are a no show. She also made some quip about you moving on from Ryan to Tate so quickly. My guess is she's jealous that you managed to snag two beefcakes while she's stuck with a scrawny fancy boy." I roll my eyes at how annoying LulaBelle can be. I know I need to tell Ryan all of this because Annabeth made a good point about Tate. That, and I really want LulaBelle to be disappointed when I do show up. Ruining her day always makes mine.

"Alright, I'll call my brother and see what I can do," I tell her and she replies, "Okay. Also, will you ask him if he'll be attending the opening? I can be his date if he needs one." I hear her giggle while I frown. She really will stop at nothing to get closer to Austin.

"Will do Annabeth. I'll call you after I talk to him, okay?" She agrees to talk to me later and we hang up. I immediately try Ryan and he answers right away too.

"Hey baby girl. What are you up to?" He asks and I feel myself blush at his deep voice.

"Nothing much. I just got off the phone with Annabeth and I realized we may have a situation."

"Of course you do. What is it?" He asks and I sit down on the corner of the bed and tuck my feet up before continuing.

"Well, you know how I am supposed to be in Philly right now? With Tate Samuels?"

"That does seem to be your cover. What about it?"

"Well, funny thing. Tate is coming down for the botanical garden's grand opening this weekend. Since he's a public figure, he's supposed to help with the publicity and his parents are hosting it."

"That could be a problem," Ryan agrees and I continue, "Yes, well not only that, but one of my obligations as Founder's Day Belle is to cut the ribbon at the ceremony. So, it wouldn't make much sense if Tate showed up without me seeing we are supposed to be together." Ryan is quiet and I hear him repeat my story to Austin who must be near him. They talk between each other and apparently, Tate never mentioned coming to Hollis to either of them. He knows I am supposed to staying with him in Philly, but he must not have thought the grand opening through. Finally, Ryan gives his attention back to me.

"We are going to have to talk to the boss on this one Sawyer. He still might not want you back in town yet."

"Yes, but this is a huge event for Hollis," I interject. "There's no way Simon could be there without being noticed. His picture ran in the Hollis Herald and everyone knows the Carmichaels. If he does decide to risk it, it could help you catch him quicker."

"I agree but like I said, I'm not the boss on this case, just the help." Surprisingly I am drawn to going back to Hollis this weekend. I didn't think I'd want to come home so soon. But Tullahoma is dreadfully boring and I want to escape the Chase and Essie drama fest.

"Okay well let me know then," I tell him and we quickly tell each other goodnight and hang up. I glance to the clock and realize it's now past midnight. I quickly get ready for bed and right after I turn off my light, I hear the front slam shut. A few minutes later I hear it open again and a woman's voice floats up the stairs. I hear Chase and Essie giggle all the way down the hallway and he tells her to shh before shutting his bedroom door shut.