Page 2

I stepped onto the porch and gazed over the parking lot.

A young man was getting out of an older-model minivan.

Keegan Mulroney. Probably the most tragic backstory of all our kids—and that was saying something. His father died in an industrial accident when he was still a toddler and his sister had been a newborn. Then, a few years ago, their mother died of cancer. Fortunately, Keegan’s stepfather was, by all accounts, a great guy.

Since I was working on the assumption the man getting out of the driver’s side was the stepfather, I was a little surprised.

Families come in all shapes and sizes.

Perhaps. But seeing a huge Black man placing a clearly comforting hand on Keegan’s shoulder was unexpected. The thirteen-year-old was blond with crystal-blue eyes. Also, short and slender. At least a foot shorter than his stepfather.

If this is his stepfather.

I strode over to the two, arriving just as Cody did.

“Keegan? I’m so glad you’re here.” Our psychologist grinned.

“Yeah.” The young man tried to hide behind his stepfather.

My heart sank.

“I’m Cody and I can help you get settled. Your counselor is Grey, who will be along in a moment.”

“Counselor?” Keegan appeared to shrink in upon himself even further.

The large man beside him bent and met Keegan’s gaze. “You remember the photos we looked at? Cody is the psychologist, and you talk to him about how you’re feeling. He’s your safe space.”

“I don’t know.” Keegan broke eye contact and kicked at a pebble on the gravel driveway.

Cody held my gaze for a moment.

Before I could speak up, though, Keegan’s stepfather continued. “And Grey is like a camp counselor. He’s here to lead you through all the fun stuff you’re going to do.”

Keegan glanced up. “This is lame.” His voice didn’t hold defiance, though. More like painful resignation.

“I know you think that. But Iknowthis is going to be good for you.” The man smiled. “And they’ll have your phone. If you need to talk to me, you ask nicely and they’ll let you call me, any time. I’m staying in Mission City for the two weeks, okay? You need me, and I can be here in fifteen minutes.”

“Why aren’t you staying near Alaina?”

Alaina? Oh, the younger sister.

“Because she’s on a trekking adventure through the forests on Vancouver Island. She’s got, like, five adults with her.”

“You mean she doesn’t need you and I do.”

Grey approached, but slowed when he caught my gaze.

I held up a hand to have him stay back for a bit. Keegan and his stepfather needed a bit of privacy—even though Cody and I were within hearing distance. This parting was tearing me up. And he wasn’t my kid.

But I knew that kind of pain. From all indications, the stepfather was encouraging.Should’ve double-checked the parents’ names before coming out here.

The kids I knew well, at least on paper. The parents? Not so much.

“There’s nothing wrong with you needing me. And I can get to Alaina in a couple of hours, Keegan. You two are the most important people in my life. Don’t ever—and I mean ever—doubt that.”

Keegan met his stepfather’s gaze. “Okay.”

His stepfather glanced over at Cody and held out his hand. “Demetrius. This wonderful kid is my son.” He beamed with pride.