A look of pain flashed across Kerry’s face. “It doesn’t matter how old they get. They’ll always be your little boy or girl.”
“Because you love them,” I said quietly. Kerry loved her kids in the way a parentshould. In a way my parents hadn’t quite been able to understand.
“I do. Which is why it kills me when one of them is hurting. Lawson has been burning the candle at both ends for longer than should be possible, never wanting to take too much help from any of us. Not wanting to be a burden.”
I glanced up at Kerry. “I think there’s a reason they say it takes a village.”
She nodded. “I think you helped him realize that. But more than that, you’ve got them alltalking, understanding one another better, helping each other. I haven’t seen Luke with this much life in him in years.”
My gaze pulled to Luke, where he sat at a picnic table with Violet, his hand twined with hers. They were the perfect picture of young love on what felt like more of a spring day than a winter one.
“He just needed time to find his way,” I said.
Kerry pinned me with a motherly stare. “He needed someone who really listened. Who understood him. You gave him that.”
My heart clenched at her words. “He’s easy to give it to.”
Her eyes twinkled. “And you’ve given it to my boy, too. Brought him back to life. He’s smiling forrealnow, and I know that’s because of you.”
My cheeks heated. “I don’t know—”
“I do. And I’ll be forever grateful, Hallie.”
A burn lit behind my eyes. “They’ve given me more than I ever could’ve dreamed of in return. I didn’t have this kind of family growing up. I had my brother, who would do anything for me, but my parents? They weren’t exactly the warm and fuzzy sort. Lawson has reminded me what family can be. You all have.”
Kerry pulled me in for a hard hug. “Sweet girl.”
“Hey, everything okay?” Lawson’s concerned voice wrapped around us.
Kerry pulled back, dabbing at her eyes. “Just us girls having a moment.”
His gaze came to me, checking.
I moved to him then, stretching up onto my tiptoes and brushing my lips across his. “We’re good.”
Lawson’s arms wrapped around me. “We’re going to be better than good. Because we’re about to give an almost fourteen-year-old his dream gift.”
Excitement bubbled up in me. “Is Damien here?”
“Just pulled up.” Lawson inclined his head toward an SUV parked below. “You ready?”
I nodded, practically bouncing on the balls of my feet.
Kerry grinned. “I can’t wait to see this.”
Lawson took my hand and led me toward Damien’s SUV. He stepped out just as we approached, wearing a wide smile. “Did someone call for a puppy delivery?”
A little yip sounded from the back seat.
Lawson chuckled. “I think that’s a yes. We really appreciate you dropping the little guy off.”
Damien waved him off. “It’s no problem at all. I’m just happy to see him go to a good home.”
He opened the back door and unlocked the crate. The puppy practically shot out and into Damien’s waiting arms.
“I think he’s excited to see you again.”
My smile was so wide my cheeks hurt. “I’m not going to mind having him to myself most days, that’s for sure.”
