Bennett realized this might be the first time Vanz had been able to look up to a male relative.
“You could do something like that, too,” Mitch said to Vanz. “You seem like a smart guy who isn’t afraid to strike out on his own.”
Vanz’s face brightened. “You really think so?”
Mitch nodded with confidence. “I sure do. I’m good at reading people.”
Bennett was proud of Mitch for saying that. Showing faith in a young person could make a real difference in how they perceived themselves and instill aspirations for their future. Mitch had come full circle now.
A little while later, Bennett returned to the inn. Mitch, Shelly, and Vanz followed him. As Vanz entered the Seabreeze Inn, he looked around in awe at the furnishings and the people milling around. Ivy and Poppy were busy tending to guests.
Caleb greeted them in the foyer holding Lucky tenderly in his muscular arms. “Thought you might like to see ourlittle patient. She’s doing well, but I’d like to keep her today, if that’s all right with you.”
Vanz stroked the kitten’s head, visibly relaxing. “Sure, that’s okay. Thanks for letting me see her.”
As Caleb left, Shelly took her little girl’s hand. “I’ll drop off Daisy with Darla so I can help Ivy and Poppy. Be right back.”
“Bye-bye,” Daisy said to everyone in a sing-song voice. She kissed her daddy and waved at Vanz.
The teenager looked pleasantly surprised.
Bennett led them to the library where they would have privacy. Mitch and Vanz sat at a table, and Bennett could tell the boy was nervous by his fidgeting.
Presently, Imani swept in, wearing a vibrant pink and orange dress with layers of handcrafted necklaces. Her thick dark braids were arranged like a crown on top of her head, and she carried herself like a queen.
She reached out to shake the boy’s hand. “You must be Vanz.”
Vanz rose unsteadily and shook her hand.
Mitch gestured for her to sit down. “Imani used to practice in Los Angeles. That means she’s seen everything.”
“Nothing surprises me, young man.” She looked steadily at Vanz. “We can talk privately if you prefer. You won’t hurt their feelings. That’s called attorney-client privilege. What we talk about can remain between us.”
“Can they stay?” Vanz asked.
They all agreed, and Imani began asking questions.
Vanz seemed to relax around her. He answered shyly at first but gained confidence as they spoke.
Finally, Imani spoke to his mother, Melinda. After she hung up, she turned back to Vanz. “It’s all arranged. Shewants you to stay with Mitch while she figures out a next step for the two of you. She plans to visit as soon as she can. I told her we’d take good care of you while she sorts out the situation with your father.”
Relief washed over the boy’s face, but then he set his jaw. “I’m not going back as long as my dad is there.”
“Do you think he deserves a second chance?”
His face darkened. “He’s had a hundred chances. If my mom thinks there’s any hope for him, she’s wrong. Don’t listen to her about him.” Vanz began to confide in her, sharing what had happened in the past.
Imani listened carefully before answering. “I understand your point and the issues. Your mother is scared and needs your support, too. I think you’ll find she is working on a good plan. Her primary objective is to keep you safe and make sure you return to school.”
Mitch added, “We’ll take you for some school clothes tomorrow.”
Vanz took all this in. “What about my mom? Will she be safe?”
“We’ll make sure of it. Chief Clarkson is seeing to that, coordinating with the local police in Palm Vista.”
Vanz’s shoulders visibly released some of the stress he’d been holding, and he thanked Imani for helping him and his mother.
After Imani left, Bennett turned to Vanz. “As soon as guests are on their way, we plan to go to the apple orchard. If you’ve never picked apples, you’ll be surprised how much fun it is. Plus, there’s plenty of apple pie, apple cider, and all the fresh apples you can pick.”
