“That’s a nice thought, bud, but I think Tyler is already asleep. Maybe we can ask his mom tomorrow night?”
“Okay. And maybe she can read with us, too. It might cheer her up.”
Logan furrowed his brow at the unexpected comment. “What makes you think she needs cheering up?”
“Because she was crying.”
Logan’s pulse kicked up a notch. Why was Piper crying? And why had Max witnessed it? He struggled to imagine an appropriate scenario for Piper to cry in front of Max. “When was this?”
“Today. After school.”
“What happened?” Logan kept his tone even, but warning bells blared. Was this some sort of shady manipulation tactic? Ensnare the sympathy of their kid?
“I went upstairs to see if Tyler wanted to play. She was in the hallway, coming out of the bathroom. Her eyes were all red and stuff. And she wiped her nose with a Kleenex, but she doesn’t have a cold or anything.”
“I see. Did she say anything to you about why she was crying?”
“No, she just said hi. I asked her if Tyler could come outside and play. She said yes, but after his bath. I waited for him in the backyardfor-e-ver. My baths never take that long.”
“That’s because you holler to get out after five minutes,” Logan teased. Who knew convincing a kid to bathe would take the skills of an expert negotiator. “Maybe Tyler likes taking baths.”
Max shook his head. “He doesn’t. He said the best thing about car camping is not having to take a bath.”
“Car camping?” Logan’s thoughts flew to the jumble of belongings in the back seat of Piper’s Jeep, and his pulse spiked with adrenaline.
“Yeah. He said that’s what his mom calls it. It sounds fun. Except for going to the bathroom at gas stations. Those are gross.” Max made a face.
Logan kept his cool, despite his knotted stomach. He’d been right. Theywereliving out of their car. But why?
His heart cinched at the thought of Piper and Tyler trekking into gas station restrooms, day after day. Piper may not be his favorite person, but he had to do something about their situation. “Did Tyler say anything else about car camping?”
“Not really. Just that he likes it better here with us.” Max sank deeper into the pillows and drew the blanket up to his chin. “How long are they staying?”
“I don’t know, bud.” They should receive the test results in a few days. Then what? Piper’s charade would be blown to smithereens.
“I hope they can stay a long time,” Max said with childlike innocence. “I like Tyler.”
“I like him, too.”
They shifted focus back to their book, but Logan struggled to concentrate. In between magic wardrobes and talking animals, his thoughts wandered to Piper and Tyler. He’d have to tell Abby what he learned from Max. But would she want to help the woman who’d stomped all over her husband’s memory?
Even as the question entered his mind, he knew the answer. Abby was the kindest person he’d ever met. A quality he admired, even on occasions like tonight, when her loving nature would put her in a difficult position.
After they’d finished their bedtime reading and moved on to their nightly prayers, Logan added a silent one for Abby. Then, with Max tucked in and drifting off to sleep, Logan joined her on the back patio.
Abby slouched in the wicker love seat, her heels propped on the edge of the brick firepit. The stillness of night surrounded her in silence, save for the crackling embers and soothing lull of the ocean waves below the bluff.
Even in the dim glow of the amber flames, worry lines etched her features, and weariness slumped her slight frame as she gazed listlessly at the moonlit waters.
Logan’s gut wrenched. Despite her brave face, the last couple days had taken a toll. He not only felt helpless to fix the problem, he’d be adding to her burden. Maybe he shouldn’t tell her about what he’d learned from Max? But would acting on his own to help Piper make things worse?
A stick snapped beneath his boot, and Abby turned, attempting a smile when she spotted him.
“Hey,” she said softly. “How did story time go?”
“Great.” The wicker creaked as he settled his weight beside her.
She instantly leaned against him, as if being close had become an instinctual habit, as if she drew strength from his presence. Oh, how he wanted that to be true. For the rest of his life, he wanted to be her main source of support.
