“I never would’ve thought the two of you would become nature lovers.” She asked, “What do you need to help this research study go faster?”

“What?”

“You said you only had two months. What do you need? Volunteers? Money?”

“This needs to be as quiet as possible.” Jonah held up a hand. “We don’t even know if this is the mussel we’re thinking about. The research team is going to identify it, no matter what species it is.”

“Why wait a month? Why can’t they be here before then?”

“That’s as soon as we can get the funding for their travel arrangements. They’re coming out on our request, but getting the okay for their travel and hotel accommodations takes a while. Red tape can be a bitch.”

“How much money?”

“I don’t know. Probably twenty thousand, at least. More like fifty thousand.”

“I’ll pay.” Dani wanted to help. In that moment, she needed to do this. Forget all the damn tragedies that happened in her past. This was her way of helping. This project could potentially mean more than their whole town. She wanted on board.

“No, Dani, we can’t take your money.”

She had money. They just didn’t know how much, or where it came from. Both stories she wanted to keep quiet about, too. “I want to help. Consider this an investment.”

Jonah studied her, gauging her commitment. Dani knew what he was doing. He wanted to make sure this was a clear-headed decision, not an emotional one. There was emotion underlying, but Dani clamped down and let her professionalism shine through. Boone always said there was no room for emotion in the boardroom.

“I’m single, young, and I’ve already got a home. I can invest my money how I choose. This is one of them, and this is a good investment.”

“This might not be a profitable investment.”

“Nonprofit grants are great tax write-offs.” She had no clue.

Jonah hid a smile, but Dani saw it. She won and she held her hand out. Another second pause, but Jonah reached out and shook on it.

“I’m going to be swimming with you guys, at least some of the times. Part of the deal.”

“Fine by me,” Trenton added, slipping back into the water. “We need all the help we can get.” He took the bucket, saying, “I’m going to swim these out to the boat. It’s almost quitting time anyway.”

Dani studied Jonah, as Trenton left. “So this is what you do on the weekdays.”

“My job description is flexible. I’m supposed to protect the river. Science is slower than business deals. Weekends are an easy sacrifice if it means what I think it’ll mean.” Jonah checked his watch and murmured, “Aiden informed me to inform you, that you have to be somewhere tonight. They’re emceeing a talent show, and your presence is required.” His eyes traced her face and slowly slid downward.

Dani’s mouth was suddenly parched.

“I won’t push you right now, but I can’t help but wonder what other secrets you got hidden?” His eyes darkened, lingering on her lips.

She’d been right. He hadn’t bought the lie.

Kate and Aiden were dancing a jig on the stage.

Dani skimmed the crowd. Robbie was waving his arms, seated at a round picnic table. As she neared, Dani saw Jonah at a nearby table with Hawk, his arm around a woman with pigtails, and another two guys who Dani recognized from high school.

“Hey, Dani! We saved you a seat.” Robbie kicked out the empty chair on his left. Stilts was on her other side, with his arm around another girl. Lori sat on Robbie’s right with both their chairs turned toward the center stage.

Kate was saying, “…we were given an announcement to make from the baking committee. They wanted to let you know that due to the sale on lemon pie filling at our wonderful sponsors, Deano’s Supermarket, there has been an influx of lemon meringue pies for the pie contest.” As the crowd started to laugh, Kate kept on, “So they’re going to divide the contest into two sections. One section will be just the lemon meringue pies while the other will be the general pie contest. They will award two winners because of this event.”

Aiden laughed, dipping closer to the microphone. “Please still bring lemon meringue pies next year.”

Kate commented as she tried to muffle her microphone, but the crowd still heard, “My pie’s one of those. I’m so embarrassed.”

The crowd went wild.

Kate blushed while Aiden patted her friend on the back. “Don’t worry, Kate. There were twenty lemon meringue pies this year. We hit a record!”

Another scream filled the air. At the same time, Kate began to announce the next act, but Aiden’s microphone caught her. “Bryant, you will drop your sister’s hair now!”

Kate started laughing in the middle of pronouncing the act’s name.

Aiden flushed this time and murmured to the crowd, “Sorry.” She left the stage, and everyone heard, “Leave your brother alone! Or no pizza tonight. I mean it!”

Kate shook her head, still grinning, as she departed on the opposite side.

Dani sat back and listened to their fantastic attempts at a high E, but she saw Jake and Julia on the opposite side, surrounding a similar table to their own. Kelley Lynn and the rest filled the other seats next to them.

Jake had been watching her and nodded. Dani waved.

Julia frowned.

That bothered her, and without thinking, Dani got up. She began to walk around the crowd. Julia’s eyes widened when Dani kept walking her way.