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“I don’t think he was talking about forgiveness.”

She shrugged one shoulder. “Still applies. Sometimes being willing to ask for help goes a long way. And I doubt God will tell you no about that.”

After a long pause, he cleared his throat. “You’re good for me, Allye Jessup.”

“Feeling’s mutual.”

Epilogue

Six months later

Eric tossed a baseballacross his backyard. It plopped into Lucky’s outstretched glove and promptly rolled out. He hid a smile as the boy dove after it like he thought it would disappear. Although it had taken Lucky weeks to let his guard down, he’d finally begun emerging from his shell.

“Gotta use your hand to keep it in—like you’re putting a lid on,” Dion called from another corner of the yard. “Like this.” He mimed catching a fly ball.

“I did!” Lucky tossed the ball back to Eric. It landed several feet away and rolled toward him. He scooped it up and launched it toward Dion.

The teen had made a full recovery from the bullet he’d taken to the shoulder, though he’d have a lifelong scar to remind him of his injury. He’d had to appear in court for his part in the drug deals, but because of his age and circumstances, along with Eric’s testimony of his assistance in bringing down the higher-ups, the judge had been lenient. There would be a lot of community service hours in his near future, but he wouldn’t serve any time, and his record would be sealed once he turned eighteen. In the meantime, he was finally getting the chance to be a kid for a while.

There were still occasional reminders of the trauma they’d experienced, but both brothers were flourishing under Eric’s care—with the help of the community that had rallied around them.

After the events of last fall, Eric had realized he had a lot of reevaluating to do. He spent some serious time in prayer and felt a peace about stepping into the world of fostering. And while he still knew he couldn’t do it alone, he’d decided to see what kind of help God would provide if he was willing to ask for it. The response had been overwhelming.

Chief McHenry had helped him reevaluate his work schedule and priorities. Bryce and Corina, Allye, and even Mrs. Jessup had insisted on going through the background checks and training required to offer respite care. And as soon as he expressed a renewed interest in fostering, Tracy Ann had thrown her arms around his neck in a quick hug, then immediately started connecting him with all sorts of resources he hadn’t had any idea existed.

“Knock, knock.” The backyard gate swung inward, and Allye stepped through, bags and pizza boxes in hand.

Lucky raced toward her, the game forgotten. Before Allye had a chance to set her load on Eric’s patio table, he’d thrown his arms around her legs.

Grinning, Eric joined them and relieved her of the boxes so she could return Lucky’s embrace—which she did wholeheartedly. Then just as quickly as he’d come, the boy released her and dashed back to his position. Allye’s eyes sparkled as she watched him wave his glove at Dion, signaling he was ready for another pitch.

“I think someone likes you.” Eric snatched a quick kiss before tugging her to a seat at the table. “How are you feeling today?”

She shrugged. “Tired, but not too bad.”

After her neighbor’s home testing kit had indicated a strong mold presence in their duplex, Allye had undergone lab testing for mold toxicity. The results were overwhelmingly positive. She’d moved in with her mom until she could find a saferplace of her own and was currently working with a practitioner to detox her body. Besides the direct symptoms related to her body’s reaction to the mycotoxins, there was a strong possibility the exposure had triggered other long-term issues that might or might not subside.

But she was taking everything in stride with a grace Eric admired. And while the experience hadn’t been pleasant, she was improving. And she’d kept her word to ask for help when she needed it.

Dion lobbed the ball to his brother, and Lucky finally managed to catch it.

Dion pumped his fist. “Yeah, man!”

Lucky turned to see if they were watching. Eric gave him a thumbs-up and shouted, “Good one!” The kid’s face broke into the widest grin he’d seen from him yet.

“Looks like they’re having the time of their lives here,” Allye murmured.

“Them and me both.”

“I’m so glad you were able to take them.”

“Me too.” They needed to start in on the food before it got cold, but he had something he wanted to discuss with Allye in private first. Keeping his eyes on the boys, he lowered his voice. “I’d like to make things permanent.”

She turned to face him, her eyes glowing. “You’re considering adoption?” She matched his tone, but there was no mistaking the excitement there.

“What do you think?”

“It’s a wonderful idea! Have you mentioned it to them yet?”