Page 25

25

EMMETT

I t doesn’t take long to get the skunks into the box. The second the babies decided to explore, the mom followed.

They scurried away without a problem the second we brought them outside, and I really hoped that they’d find a safe space to build a home… or whatever skunks do.

The rest of the night included Heidi and I going through the whole house with cleaner, trying to get rid of the smell anywhere we can. I’ll probably have to call a professional cleaner tomorrow to get rid of the last of it, but it was a start.

After that, we took turns taking baths in a slew of chemicals and when we were finished with that, the two of us waited for Briar to drop Juniper off.

The second she walked through the door she knew she was in trouble.

Her hands were up. “I don’t know where they came from,” she says.

There’s a very large part of me that wants to yell at her. To ground her for life. But I know that does nothing for a kids. It certainly did nothing for me growing up. So instead, I ask her to sit down.

Juniper looks around and sniffs once. “It smells really clean at least.”

I roll my eyes. “Let’s talk.”

Her shoulders slouching, Juniper makes her way to the couch and throws herself onto it. “They’re okay, right?” She’s looking at Heidi.

She nods. “They’re outside safe and sound,” she assures her.

“But it’s going to be winter soon.”

Heidi smiles and gets up from her spot in the recliner, making space for herself next to Juniper on the couch. She folds her legs underneath her, facing my daughter. “Most animals belong outside, Sweetie. Animals that live around here are built for the cold.”

“But what do skunks do?”

Heidi looks at me for assistance, but I’m not sure what she expects me to say. Why in the world I would know that, I have no idea.

“I think they have some sort of hibernation,” she winces, not actually knowing.

“See? You don’t even know,” Juniper accuses, throwing her arms up.

I quickly whip out my phone, looking it up. “Heidi’s right, June. They stay in their dens and sleep for a long time. They don’t hibernate exactly, but they can survive really cold conditions.”

Juniper looks suspicious, like she doesn’t quite believe me. “I hope they’re okay,” she says sadly, hanging her head.

“Hey,” Heidi says, lifting her chin. “I promise you with all my heart they’re okay. But next time there’s some animals you want to help, come ask me first, okay? How long were they there?”

Juniper considers this. “About a week.”

Heidi’s jaw sets.

“Maybe more,” Juni corrects.

There’s a couple beats of silence, and then Heidi smiles.

The look of it… the pure joy on her face, does something to my stomach.

“You know, I love animals too,” she tells Juniper as she readjusts herself, leaning against the back of the couch.

“Yeah?”

Heidi nods. “Yep. I had quite a few growing up. Always wanted them around the house. They always made life better, you know?”

Juniper fixes her scowl on me. “No, I don’t know.”

Heidi winces.

The truth is, I can’t stand the thought of losing something else. The second Juniper gets a cough I feel like my nervous system feels like it’s fighting for its life. The last thing I need is a small creature that I know will destroy me when it passes.

Juniper deserves a pet. She does. I just don’t know if I’m ready to give her one.

Heidi takes Juniper’s small hand in hers. “I think that you have all the time in the world to get a pet. And when you do, it’ll be the best thing. But right now your dad is so busy, and he works so hard for you. You just have to be patient with him, okay?”

Juniper nods slowly, looking down at her lap. “I’m sorry,” she says finally, and when she looks up at me, her eyes are full of tears.

I’m getting up to give her a hug and tell her everything is fine when she throws herself at Heidi, wrapping her in a tight hug, her arms around her neck.

Heidi freezes for a second, her shocked eyes finding me in her peripheral. But it only takes a second for her to snap out of it, wrapping her arms around Juniper and pulling her closer, and my heart twists.

We send Juniper to her room to clean up after that, and Heidi helps me clean up the kitchen.

“Have you thought about getting her a pet?” she asks, taking the plate I just washed from me and drying it.

I shake my head. “I don’t think I can do pets, Heidi.”

“Why not?” I pause, which is enough for her to understand. “Ah.”

“I think I can get one one day. I’m just not ready yet.”

“I get it,” Heidi says on a sigh. “I just wish I could help more.”

For whatever reason, that stirs something in me, and I’m instantly irritated.

Licking my lips, I look around the kitchen. It’s pretty much clean, and my fight or flight is kicking on. “I’m going to hang out in the garage for a bit,” I tell her before heading down the hall without a word.