As I walked across the yard to the coolers, Dalton met me and linked his hand with mine. “Is he okay?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“He’s struggling with Iris and worrying about what’s going to happen to her.”
“Devlin said he’ll have some information tomorrow. The tests are back, and he’s running them through the system, so maybe he can discover something about her to help us figure out how she got with them and who her family is.”
I looked up at him and whispered, “If her family gave her to them, they don’t deserve her back.”
“I agree, darlin’. Devlin will get it worked out. I promise.”
I could see that he was trying to make me feel better but didn’t believe his own words. We were all worried about Iris and who she was going to end up with. A strange thought popped into my head, and as hard as I tried to shake it off, it would leave me. I tugged Dalton by the hand, and he looked down at me with worry.
“I think we should foster Iris until things can get worked out. Do you think that’s possible?”
“Why would you want to do that?” He wasn’t being mean, just curious.
“I know what it’s like not to have anyone, and if I can help her with whatever she lived through, maybe it would make things better for her.”
He grasped the back of my head and brought his lips to mine, kissing me until I fought for breath. “You’re a good woman, Grace. And yes, I think that’s something we can get arranged.”
I wanted to do something to make up for my years of silence. After living my life hidden in the darkness, fighting nightmares and the crippling pain of my past, I’d finally found peace within the light. If helping Iris find her way and possibly giving Monroe some peace of mind was something I could do, then I would.
Because that’s what family is for.
––––––––
