“That sounds delicious,” Millie said. “Can I help? I’ve always wanted to learn how to cook fried chicken. Mine doesn’t turn out crispy enough.”
Ruby’s approval was instant. “I’d love that.”
They started toward the house together, bags rustling between them. Caleb walked a half step behind, watching the easy way his mother and Millie fell into conversation, like they’d always belonged in the same space.
Something about it was satisfying—entirely more satisfying than it should have been.
His mom had built a good life for herself after her husband died. It wasn’t a loud one or an easy one. But a steady one.
She’d never dated—had never seemed to feel the need. Instead, she spent her time where it mattered—helping Luke with his kids a couple afternoons a week, helping Wyatt organize search and rescues, driving out here four days every week,dropping everything when Rowan called from California in crisis.
She held the family together in ways no one ever thanked her for out loud.
Caleb adjusted his grip on the bags and followed them toward the door.
He didn’t know what any of them would do without her.
Then again, that was how family worked.
At that thought, he glanced at the concrete pad near the side door and squinted.
A small silver bolt laid there.
A bolt that was surprisingly similar to the one missing from the security camera.
Had someone in the house sabotaged those cameras?
The kitchen smelled like flour and oil by the time Millie washed her hands and joined Ruby at the counter.
Ruby had already rolled up the sleeves of her red sweater and tied an apron around her slim waist as she moved with easy efficiency.
She was taller than Millie had expected—and younger. She was in her fifties, and she’d aged well.
She could almost pass for one of the siblings.
There was nothing rushed about her, even as she worked. She hummed under her breath, as if cooking was less a task than a habit.
Millie immediately liked her.
Naomi wandered in a few minutes later, coffee mug in hand. She stopped short when she spotted her mother. She crossed the room without hesitation and leaned in for a hug.
“Hey,” Naomi said, her voice softer than Millie had heard it yet.
Ruby kissed her temple. “Hey, sweetie. You eating with us later?”
“Wouldn’t miss your fried chicken.” Then she glanced at Millie, her expression warm. “You surviving cooking with my mom? She doesn’t cut much slack—especially when she’s making her award-winning dishes.”
“So far I’m hanging in.” Millie flashed a grin.
Naomi laughed. “I’m going to leave you to it. I still have some more numbers to crunch before I call it a day.”
She headed back out as easily as she’d come, leaving the room quieter but no less full. Millie watched her go, something tightening and loosening in her chest at the same time.
This was the kind of family she’d always imagined—people who moved in and out of each other’s lives without ceremony or explanation.
Her own family had never been like that. Her family was cordial, distant, and carefully spaced. She’d stopped wishing for closeness a long time ago, knowing it wouldn’t magically appear. But that didn’t take away the longing.
Ruby slid a cutting board closer to her and began instructing her on how to cut up a whole chicken. Millie promised she’d give it her best.
