I quietly walk over to the side of the wrap-around patio to where he's sitting and the chair he's in faces away from me, so he can't see me behind him. I linger by the banister and he's talking in hushed tones again. I quietly wait for him to finish and I hear him say, "Both Kennedy and Simon should be in attendance Saturday. We've yet to have a visual on either of them...Yes sir... No, the boathouse lead was a dead end but it may have been used at some point for storage... Yes sir... Sweeney dusted for residue. I'll have him send over what he found...No...No sir, Sweeney's sister is actually no longer an acquaintance of the Carmichael family. She had a falling out a few months back but she can still positively I.D the players... No, of course not. Sweeney has strict instructions to keep her in the dark...Yes sir. I understand it won't be a problem. I'll call you when I have more." So, he calls whoever he is talking to "Sir" oh-so professionally and calls Austin by his last name. They are definitely not any kind of office worker.

Ryan flips his phone shut and shoves it back into his jean pocket. I take a few steps backward before he notices I am here and hide around the corner. I decide to investigate further and make it known I'm on the patio. I loudly strut over the loud wooden floorboards and Ryan quickly turns to see me round the corner.

"Oh Ryan, sorry I didn't know anyone was still awake. I was just coming back to, um-"

"Stand there and listen to me talk to my boss?" Ryan says with a small smile and I try to act confused. "Sawyer, I saw Annabeth pull down the driveway a few minutes ago and I never heard the front door open or close shut. Being aware of my surroundings is a very large and important aspect of my job, I know you've been standing behind me for a couple minutes now." My shoulders slump forward when I realize I am defeated. I can't play dumb with someone so smart.

"Fine, yes I heard you. I can't help but be curious and you're talking right here out in the open." Ryan looks to me and then pulls out the chair next to him, inviting me to sit down. My cowboy boots make loud clicking sounds as I walk quickly over the wooden boards. I sink into the chair and exhale loudly, exhausted from the day.

"So Austin wants to keep me in the dark huh? You feel otherwise?" I ask him. He sits back into his chair and stretches his legs out before replying, "Oh no, I would love to keep you in the dark. But you I.D'd both Simon and Kennedy in a matter of seconds. It's taken months to put those names with the faces and relations. You helped us out with the connection of those two right away. I think you could be a great asset but I know there is no way in hell Austin will agree to let you help out. And I don't blame him." I look to him while I fidget with the end of my shirt and he looks back to me as I say, "So you and Austin clearly don't work for LexiCorp. You're here from South Carolina investigating Kennedy Carmichael and you seem to be a Jack-of-all-trades. You and Austin disappear during the day but neither of you actually talk about what you do at work, ever. So, if you were assigned to an out-of-state case that must mean you and Austin are either D.E.A or F.B.I. Maybe homeland security but it seems more like F.B.I than anything. And seeing that Austin is pretty damn close to the Carmichaels, it would make perfect sense to send him down here. No one would suspect Austin to be investigating his sister's old best friend. He's just here in Hollis as the concerned brother." Ryan's eyes narrow but he doesn't confirm what I just said to be true. He presses his lips together and then leans forward so his elbows rest on his knees.

"Sawyer, if Kennedy or Simon doesn't make an appearance Saturday, we might have to make sure Whitney and Jackson's wedding happens. We need the key players of the Carmichael family to all be in the same place at the same time- completely unsuspecting." I shake my head at him completely baffled.

"You're the one that gave me the idea to stop it from starting in the first place. And now you're telling me the wedding has to happen?" He's about to respond but I add, "That and I know you heard what Jackson told me tonight and the last person that deserves that wedding is Whitney. That wedding can't happen. It just can't." Ryan puts his hand on my knee in an attempt to calm me down but I cross my arms in defiance. He pulls at my arm and he eventually grabs hold of my hand.

"Then let's just hope Kennedy and Simon are both at Founder's Day. We need to get a visual on the both of them." I lean forward and look directly into Ryan's eyes.

"If you need my help with anything, tell me. I won't tell Austin. I think I've been pretty trusting this far. I can keep a secret." I watch Ryan's eyes dart back and forth between mine and I wonder what's going on behind those emeralds. He softly asks, "You're fine with keeping this a secret from Austin?" I tilt my head as I try and clarify, "The stuff you told me about the Carmichaels? Or the stuff we did last night?"

"Both."

"I keep many secrets from Austin," I answer confidently. His eyes narrow as he leans slightly closer to me.

"Wanna keep one more?" Ryan unexpectedly asks me accompanied by a wry grin. I bite my bottom lip and eagerly nod my head. He tugs at my hand and doesn't let go of it until we are upstairs with the light switched off.

*********

I'm lying on Ryan's shoulder and we both just got our breathing even. It's stifling hot in his room and I glance toward the window contemplating whether or not to leave my comfy snuggling spot to go open it. I kick the thin sheet off of us and realize I won't be able to cool down until I get some fresh air in here. I pull away from Ryan and he watches as I tug the window up. I'm glad the nearest property is a few acres away so I don't have to worry about flashing my neighbors. I welcome the cool breeze that swirls around me and look out to the bright moon that's illuminating Ryan's room. The light is inviting and I glance back to Ryan.

"Hey cowboy, you tired?" He lets out a light laugh.

"Well, I just got quite the workout in, so I guess I am a bit fatigued. Why? What are you thinking?" He catches my enticing grin and I toss his cotton shirt over to him.

"Get dressed. We are going for a drive."