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“What do you mean?”

“She saw a murderer.”

His mother's eyebrows shot up into her hairline. “She saw amurder?”

“No. She saw amurder-er. He was coming out of the apartment next-door when she met him on the stairway. It turned out that he’d just murdered her next-door neighbor. The problem is, she recognized him. He’s her ex-husband’s best friend.”

“Oh, my. Thatisproblematic.”

“Yeah. That's why she was in the woods. If he finds her, he'll kill her, so we can't let anyone know where she is.”

“And the police?”

“They know. SheriffMcEvers was at my house this morning. AaronFriedman was the one who brought me into the situation. An employee at the resort park noticed her car parked there for a long time, and they called and got him. He called me because he thought I would probably know the terrain better. Turns out she hides very well. It took me a bit, but I found them. They were cold, wet, hungry, and terrified. It broke my heart to see them that way. But this isn't about me pitying her. I really do admire her. She did everything she could to keep her children safe and hidden. If I hadn't found them, it sickens me to think what might’ve happened to them.”

“What's the plan now?”

Shaw shrugged. “I have no idea, but I do know that I don't want them to leave. I feel comfortable with them there, and you know all I ever really wanted was a family.”

“Morgan sure made a mess of that.”

“She sure did. This might be a way for me to start again, and I think she's the right person to do that with.”

“Have you told her this?”

“I've told her that I don't want them to leave, but I don't know how to tell her how I feel, because I'm not really sure how to describe it. I can't say I'm in love with her, but I would like to find out where this could go.”

“Then why don't you just tell her what you just told me?”

“Mom, I just need to know?am I messing up?”

The smile his mother gave him was gentle. “You're only messing up if you don't do what you know you should.”

“I told her I want to take her on a real date. Do you think you could?”

“Watch the girls? Of course! I'd be glad to. I'd even come there if it would make them more comfortable. But whatever you need me to do, Shaw, I'll be glad to do it. All I really want is to see you happy.”

And there it was. His mother saw how lonely and tired he was. She knew he needed someone to partner with him, to be his other half. Cherilyn was as close to perfect as he could imagine any woman being.

He gave his head a decisive nod. “I'm going for it. What's the worst that could happen? She tells me she doesn't want me?It's not like I haven't heardthatbefore.”

His hands were folded on the table, and his mother reached across and patted them. “That's the spirit! I bet she'll be more receptive than you could imagine. Just take her on a date, wow her, and she'll be putty in your hands.”

“That kind of sounds wrong, Mom,” he said with a laugh.

Before he could stop her, she leaned across the table and pinched his cheek like he was three years old. “If you’re the charmer your dad was, you’ll have yourself a girlfriend in no time.”

“Owww! Mom! Gah. You’re crazy, know that?” But he was grinning the whole time. That was the thing he loved most about his mother?she could be silly and playful, and she always made him smile.

“Yeah, I’m crazy, but I raised some good kids, kids I’m proud of.” Where the pinch had been she rested her palm, and her skin was warm. “I love you, son. What Morgan and Candace did to you was wrong. We all know it. And I know you love your daughter, but I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl. I think all that high-faluting bullshit her mama?”

“Mom! You said bullshit!” Shaw barked, laughing.

“I did, and I meant it. All that mess with Morgan and Austin has gone to her head, and she thinks she’s too good for us. She needs somebody to take her down a notch.”

“Well, it won’t be me, because I doubt I’ll ever see her again. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I called her a few weeks ago and left a message for her, but she’s never called me back. Her grandma! And she won’t call me back! It’s shameful what they’ve done to that girl, turning her against her family.”