Bruce Wayne was right. Mason would be furious.

“We’ll do it my way,” Bruce Wayne said, digging his shovel into the ground and spilling over a pile of dirt. “Then if we get caught or into trouble, you can blame it on me and say you were there trying to stop me.”

I shook my head. “No, I can’t do that.”

“I think it’s a smart plan. Skeeter might help you if you really have information that can help him. It’s worth the risk.”

“But you risk your parole if you get caught in something. And I can’t guarantee Mason can get you out of it.”

He pushed his shovel so deep into the ground it stood on its own then lifted his shoulders, standing more erect than I’d ever seen him. “Rose, this job has saved my life and I’m not gonna let it go without a fight. This here’s war, and sometimes there’s casualties. You hope to God not to be one, but you go in accepting the risk. Especially if something’s worth fighting for.”

I couldn’t let him do this. I shook my head. “Bruce Wayne…”

“Rose, I had nothin’ before this. Nothin’. For the first time in my life I feel like I know what I’m supposed to do. Where I fit. I can’t give that up without a fight. What kind of man would I be if I did that?”

“But you can find another job. I’ll give you a wonderful reference.”

“Not like this job and you know it, Rose. What you and I have ain’t a normal job.”

He was right, but it still seemed too much to ask. “You’d really risk everything for this?”

“Yes.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, willing myself not to break down. He was right. What we had wasn’t a normal job. He’d proven that time and time again. “Okay.” I wiped a tear from my cheek with the back of my dirty glove. “But only on one condition.”

“What’s that?” he asked warily.

“Violet and I…us being partners isn’t gonna work anymore. We burned that bridge with a huge, roaring bonfire this weekend. So once we pay off this debt and save the Gardner Sisters Nursery, I’m gonna split it up into two businesses. Violet can have the shop and you and I can have the landscaping business. Co-owners.”

His eyes widened and he shook his head. “No. I can’t let you do that. You’re the one puttin’ up all the money.”

“You work just as hard as I do, if not harder. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful as we are. And now you’re risking everything by coming with me to see Skeeter.” I lifted my chin. “Co-owners or I let it die.”

His eyes widened in dismay. “Miss Rose, you can’t mean that.”

“But I do.”

“Shouldn’t you talk to Mason first?”

“Don’t you worry. I’ll talk to Mason about drawing up the papers to make it official, but as far as making this decision about the business? It’s mine. He has no say.”

His mouth moved, but nothing came out.

I stuck out my hand toward him. “Partners?”

He stared at my hand for a moment before slowly extending his. He grasped my hand firmly and gave it a good shake, all while staring me solidly in the eyes. “Partners.”

I beamed at him, thrilled with my decision but a little overwhelmed with what we had to do next to make it all work. “Why don’t you call Scooter to arrange a meeting? I’ll finish up here since we only have a few more shrubs.”

“Okay.” He walked over to his beat-up car, pulling off his gloves before grabbing his phone out of the front seat.

Muffy was giving me a look like I was crazy. “Stop staring at me like that, Muffy. It’s a good plan and you know it.”

“What plan are you talking about?” Joe asked from behind me.

Startled, I jumped, then spun around. Joe stood about six feet away, wearing his sheriff uniform. That look was gonna take some getting used to. “What are you doing here, Joe? And how did you know I was here?”

Muffy jumped up and ran to him.

“Violet told me.” Joe squatted and rubbed my little dog’s head. “I’m here looking for you.”

I turned my back to him and pulled the next shrub out of its plastic container. “Well, here I am. Is this an official duty, Deputy Simmons?”

“Partially.”

“Should I call my attorney?”

I could feel the anger radiating off him. “You can leave Mason out of this.”

I hadn’t meant Mason, but I was fine with letting him think what he would.

He stood even though a still-excited Muffy was still jumping on his legs. “Rose, will you turn around and face me?”

“Is that an official order?”

“Rose.” Irritation laced his words.

Frustrated, I did as he’d asked. “What do you want, Joe?”

“I want to know what you know about the robbery at Big Bill’s Barbeque.”

I gave him a fake smile. “Oh? You want me to tell you who did it? Or were you hoping I’d know where they hid the money too?”

He scowled. “I’m not foolin’ around, Rose.”

“I don’t know anything other than what I heard from Mason, so you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“Why were you talking to Lars Jenkins yesterday at church?”

“I already told you. I wanted to talk to Samantha Jo. I figured it had to have been scary havin’ a gun pointed at her head, so I offered her my support.”