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The prophesied knocking came in the form of Gavin rapping his knuckles against the windshield and waving a hand for them to hurry up. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again and giving him a resigned smile. “So much for alone time. I have to work out the details with Virginia, but we’re going to place that last bear cub in Loyalsock near where that monster grabbed me.”
“You want me to come along again?”
“I’d like that.”
“So would I.” He kissed her one last time before exiting the truck and opening the passenger door for her.
* * *
Epilogue
Cate found a seat and soaked in the activity. There was something about early autumn that brought out the best in everyone present. A few of Malachi’s siblings kicked around a soccer ball while his foster parents sat on matching Adirondack chairs nearby.
They hadn’t heard from Becky since Reece’s hospitalization and subsequent arrest. Malachi hadn’t said much about her absence, but she sensed it nagged at him.
Since they were at Gavin and Samantha’s house, Cate’s brothers and their wives played host to their guests. Cate’s dad had business in Paris, so he couldn’t attend. Understandable. Who cancels a meeting for a picnic? Even so, she wished he was there. It’d been a while since she’d seen him and she missed him. Watching Malachi’s dad interact with everyone made her own father’s absence all the more noticeable, but she tucked the feeling away to deal with later.
When Malachi’s youngest sister, Keisha, took the seat across from her, Cate rested her elbows on the picnic table and listened intently as she regaled her with a story about the guy she’d met at her new job working at the library.
“Do you like this boy?” Cate asked.
“No. Why would you think that?” Keisha squished up her face. “I told you how annoying he is. He comes in every afternoon with a different book question. What’s up with that? He’s weird.”
“Maybe he’s just looking for an excuse to talk to you?”
“Whatever.” She rose from her seat. “He can find someone else to bother. I’m going to grab a burger. Want one?”
Cate stood. “Sure. I’ll join you.”
Gavin flipped a burger onto a bun for each of them and bowed at the waist like he’d just performed a magic trick. She laughed at his antics and met Keisha’s smiling eyes. “If you think your brothers are weird, wait until you get to know mine.”
“I’m pretty sure Malachi is weirder than your brothers.”
“Not so,” Cate said.
“I’ll bet your brothers don’t play with bear cubs.”
“No. They don’t, but they protect rich celebrities. I think that’s worse.”
“It is not.”
“Well, maybe I don’t think Malachi’s weird because I like bears, too. Who do you think your brother was with when he placed those cubs?”
“Really? You work with wild animals?”
“I do.” She grinned. “I’m a wildlife biologist. It’s the best job in the world.” At least it was when there weren’t crazed assassins lurking about.
“Maybe I should do that.”
“I thought you wanted to be a librarian?”
“I don’t know what I want.”
“That’s okay. Just enjoy these years. You can decide when you’re ready.”
“Mom says I should pray about it. It’s best to ask for God’s will before you commit to a career path.”
“Your mother is a wise woman.”
