“Ah. My mistake.”
Juni went back to arranging her Play-Doh peddy-fours but the lightness in her expression flickered and went out. She picked up Mr. Kibble from where he sat propped against the sugar bowl and held him against her chest.
Maren straightened on the couch.
“Juni?” Colin’s voice had changed too. Gentler. “You okay, Junebug?”
Juni didn’t answer right away. She looked at the front door, then at the window, then back at Colin.
“You keep places safe,” she stated matter-of-factly.
Maren watched Colin give Mac a look that saidHelp!I’m out of my depth here. Mac said nothing, just stared back as he raised his teacup to his lips, pinkie out.
Getting no help from that quarter, Colin turned back to Juni. “Yes, Mac and I do.”
“How do you know if a place is safe?” she asked quietly.
Maren’s heart skipped.
Colin set his teacup down carefully. He shifted so he was facing her fully, not just sitting beside her. “That’s a really good question.”
“I had a nightmare,” Juni said.
“I know. I heard you. Do you remember your ma…your Auntie Mer and me coming into your room?”
Maren exhaled sharply.
Mom. He was about to say mom.
Juni shook her head. “What if the bad guys come here?”
Maren felt sick to her stomach.
Colin leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Juni, I’m going to teach you three things. They’re the same things I use to know if a place is safe. Want to learn them?”
Juni nodded, clutching Mr. Kibble tighter.
“First thing,” Colin said, holding up one finger. “Know your grown-ups. If something feels wrong, you find Auntie Mer, or me, or Mac, or Aunt Arden, or Uncle Kyle, or Jodie. Any of us. We’re your safe people.”
“What about Camo?”
Colin’s eyebrows rose. Mac looked away in sudden discomfort. Maren didn’t know the connection Camo had with Juni’s father yet, but it was a powerful one, obviously. She would have to ask Arden.
“Yes,” Colin said softly. “Camo would keep you very, very safe.”
“What about Pretzel?”
Colin grinned. “Well, Pretzel’s still a pup. He hasn’t gone through his training yet, but after he does, he’d keep you safe, too.”
“Jodie says Pretzel’s going to be in the military like my uncles.”
“That’s the hope, kiddo. Your Uncle Kyle’s trying his best to get all the puppies into a place called Lackland where they’ll grow up to protect soldiers and sailors.”
“And Marines,” Juni said proudly. She looked at Maren. “Sem…sem…”
“Semper fi,” Maren told her.
“Sympathy. Got it.”
