He arrivedin Haywood Lake just as the sun dipped low across the rooftops.
Willow Haven was located just on the edge of Haywood Lake’s historic district. It was a three-story Victorian-era home with faded trim on a street surrounded by newish townhomes and buildings waiting to be revived.
Finn had never been here before. But he liked the look of the shelter—steady, grounded, exactly what the mom and boy needed.
He parked the truck in the driveway and helped the little family out. They passed a narrow side garden blooming with bursts of color. The stairs creaked under their weight. He pressed the doorbell and waited.
A minute later, he heard footsteps, and the door opened.
A woman in her fifties stood there, with shoulder-length dark hair streaked with silver that was pulled into a twist. She wore a colorful blouse and slacks. Her eyes flicked to Finn and then to the woman behind him.
Her face softened.
“Oh sweetie,” she whispered and pulled the woman and boy into her arms. “You’re back. Thank God.”
The woman clung to her, sobbing lightly for a minute before pulling away. The boy didn’t say a word. The mother and child were ushered down the hall by another staff member.
Elena turned back to Finn. “Come in.”
He followed her through a foyer into a large room filled with light and plants and the clean scent of wood polish. A large mural of a willow tree stretched across one wall.
Elena turned back to him. “Thank you for getting them. Any trouble?”
He shook his head. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“We’ll be keeping an eye out for him. Some of these men just don’t understand no.”
She took a deep breath. “That little boy…” her voice trailed off. “He deserves better.”
“True.”
“You know the Brotherhood Alliance donates not only time but money to our organization, and we are forever grateful for the help.”
That surprised Finn. He knew about the protection they provided to abused women and men but hadn’t realized the Brotherhood had also given money to fund it.
Elena looked at him for a beat longer. “You okay?”
Finn hesitated. “Yeah.”
Elena put her arm on his. “It’s hard to understand why people hurt the ones they’re supposed to love. But she’ll get all the care she needs here. We have classes to help women get ahead. The kids are tutored. They’ll be safe.”
He nodded, said goodbye and walked back to his truck. He climbed in and sat there for a long moment. His childhood was filled with love and laughter, good food, and safety. He’d taken it for granted.
He couldn’t imagine what it would’ve been like to grow up afraid. To tiptoe around. To flinch at every raised voice.
But it was not unfamiliar. He’d seen that look overseas, in villages torn apart by war. He didn’t expect to see it here in Florida, in a run-down apartment, a town over.
Finn blew out his breath and backed out of the driveway. Night had fallen. The road ahead looked still, peaceful even, but that was just on the surface. Beneath it, people were struggling and slipping through the cracks no one wanted to admit were there.
He’d be talking to Chase soon.
There had to be more the Brotherhood could do, especially for the women and kids who’d had their lives turned upside down through no fault of their own. Not just show up when things get bad. Not just rescues. But something real.
Something lasting.
Something that gave people their lives back and hope.
CHAPTER 6
