Colin understood. San Diego was scary enough on its own. This part was worse.
The decision was one thing. The goodbye was another.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the fireplace, out of earshot of the others.
“You don’t have to explain everything,” he said softly. “Just enough.”
Maren nodded. “I know.” But her hands were shaking again. “I’ve almost never left her overnight since Mira died. She’s had one sleepover with a friend from preschool. A couple nights with my brothers when they were home.” Pink touched her cheeks. “And of course the night with Arden and Kyle.”
“I remember that night,” Colin said.
The pink deepened. He lifted her hand and kissed it, just once.
“I was always right there,” she said. “Close. Reachable.” Her throat moved. “This is different.”
Juni came in with hay in her hair, dust on her shirt, and the triumphant smile of a child who now considered herself a professional horse person.
Mac followed her in with a matching streak of dust across his cheek. He looked like a man who had been instructed in no uncertain terms that he was doing horse chores wrong.
Arden trailed them, wearing a bright smile aimed straight at her niece.
Camo came in last and went straight to Kyle as if giving report, then immediately returned to his new commanding officer, Juni. She giggled.
As soon as she saw Maren’s face, the giggle faded.
“Mama?”
Maren froze.
Juni didn’t seem to notice what she’d said. Or maybe she did. Her small face had gone serious. Maren crossed the room and dropped to her knees in front of her.
“Hey, Junebug.”
“You’re sad.”
“A little.”
“Why?”
Colin moved to Maren’s side without thinking.
Maren brushed hay gently from Juni’s hair. “I have to go help your…your mom with something.”
“How? Mom is in heaven.”
“I know.” Maren’s voice cracked. She steadied it. “But she left something behind. Something important. And I have to go get it.”
“Is it what the robbers wanted?”
Maren could only nod.
Juni looked at Colin. “You’re going with her?”
“Yes,” he said.
Juni studied him with Sean Volker’s eyes and the terrifying solemnity of a child who had been through too much and understood more than anyone wanted her to.
Then she nodded. “Yes. Mama can go.” Juni reached out and patted Maren’s cheek. “Colin’s going with you. You’ll be okay because Colin always keeps his promises and comes back and he’ll bring you home.”
