“Okay…” I said slowly. “Talk to me.”

“I saw Daniel yesterday. Before dinner.”

I frowned. “You were home. Of course you saw—”

“No,” Lila shook her head. “I mean before that. After school.”

“Where?”

“In town. Near that little café by the hardware store.”

I knew the place. Everyone did.

“And?”

Lila hesitated, then continued. “He was having lunch with Grandma.”

“Grand… what?”

“Your mom. They were sitting together. Talking.”

The room tilted slightly. Okay… okay…

“I didn’t go in,” she added quickly. “I just saw them through the window. But then Daniel looked up and saw me.”

My heart skipped. “And?”

“I got scared. So I ran. I didn’t want him to know I saw.”

“Lila…”

“And then later,” she swallowed, “that’s when he came to my room. And gave me the money. He said not to tell you.”

“You did the right thing,” I said gently. “You hear me? You did everything right.”

Lila’s shoulders relaxed a little. “I didn’t know what to do.”

“I know, baby. Go wash up. Dinner will be ready soon, okay?”