“Killian!” a voice squeaked as lanky arms wrapped around his waist.
Startled, Killian looked down to find a mop of brown hair and a wide grin with too-big teeth.
“Hey, Georgie,” he said, patting his semi-adoptive brother on the back.
In the spring, Killian had found Georgie working among rather dicey individuals. He’d asked his mother to take the boy in, and Georgie had stayed with her for about two months while they searched for a more permanent place for him. They’d found a family in their neighborhood, a nice couple with three daughters who’d always wanted a son as well. Mrs. Southwick still kept tabs on the boy, but he seemed to be thriving in his new home.
“What brings you here?” Killian asked.
“I came by to see Mum, but she wasn’t here, and Ms. Sera said I could wait until you lot were back.” The words tumbled from Georgie’s mouth with a child’s excitement. “She’s really nice by the way, but she said she had some work to do and went upstairs to read.”
Killian tried not to frown. He wondered if Sera had at least eaten today. He’d have to share his cream puffs with her—maybe that would perk her up.
“Hi, Georgie,” Elyse called sweetly. Georgie released Killian and headed straight for Elyse. He was nearly as tall as her now, the top of his head reaching her chin.
“Hi, Ms. Elyse. It’s good to see you again,” he said as he squeezed her. Then, quiet enough that he probably thought the others couldn’t hear, he whispered, “I knew you were innocent.”
Elyse gave an awkward smile. “Would you like a cream puff?” she deflected. “I’m off to get a box.”
“Yes, please!” Georgie answered, bobbing his head up and down.
“Coming right up,” she said as she tousled his hair. As she took a step back, she gave Killian a warm look. “Be back soon,” she said, and she disappeared.
“How did she do that?” Georgie cried. He stared at the spot where Elyse had been standing, his eyes wide and jaw wider.
“Magic,” Killian chortled. He ambled to the sink and ran his filthy hands under the water.
“Can you do that?” Georgie asked with wonder.
“Not without a potion,” Killian answered as he shut off the water.
“How are you liking your new family?” Manny asked as he sank into a chair at the table.
Georgie dropped into his own chair. “They’re great,” he said, his eyes bright. Then the corners of his mouth turned downward. “Except for when my sisters make me pretty.”
“They make you pretty?” Killian asked, chuckling. He leaned his back against the counter and watched Georgie with curiosity.
“They put me in a dress and paint my face,” the boy explained. His mouth had crumpled into a tight scowl. “It’s awful.”
Manny chortled. “Well, why don’t you stop them?”
“Mum said you can’t hurt a girl,” Georgie said, referring to Mrs. Southwick. He’d continued to call her “Mum” as Killian did, while his new mother was deemed “Mom.”
“She’s right,” Killian agreed. “You shouldn’t hurt anyone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stand up for yourself.”
“It’s three against one!” Georgie cried.
Killian couldn’t contain his smirk. “I’m sorry, pal. I think that’s just what having a sister—or three—is like.”
He felt a pang in his chest, beneath the scar that covered his heart. A longing for the sister he’d lost too young.
Georgie set his face into a pout but didn’t say anything else.
“Shouldn’t you be in school?” Manny asked. It was only lunch time, and school wasn’t out for a few more hours. “You’re not skipping class, are you?”
“No,” Georgie said defensively. “We’ve got the day off. It’s a holiday.”
Killian tilted his head. “What holiday?”
