Page 108 of Night Moves
“Want me to pinch you?” Drake grinned at her.
“No, but I want to hug your parents.” She swept Peggy into a tight hug. “My heart is so full from your generosity. I am so blessed to know you.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed.” Peggy leaned back. “They’re amazing kids that God has given us a chance to help raise for as long as they’re with us. Nothing better than that.”
“And since I’m retired now, I’ll be around more, so that will help,” Russ added.
Natalie approached him for a hug, and he accepted a quick one. “Now let’s get some marshmallows going.”
He grabbed the package from the tray and ripped it open. Sadie, Logan, and Karlie ran to him.
Willow hung back and looked up at Natalie. “Are you going to be part of this family?”
Natalie thought about her answer. “I hope to.”
“I’m glad. I cried when they said you couldn’t be our caseworker anymore. But this will be even better, right?”
“Right.” Natalie knelt and hugged Willow, giving her the kind of emotion-filled hug she’d been wanting to offer for days.
Willow starting crying, her little body sobbing, and Natalie’s heart creased from this child’s visceral pain, which she would continue to feel for some time. But Natalie knew the child was in good hands now. The best hands. God’s and Russ and Peggy Byrd’s capable hands.
She let the child cry herself out, and when she settled down, Natalie leaned back. “Want to go make that s’more now?”
Willow nodded, her expression still serious.
Drake moved closer to her. “I’ll bet I can make a more perfect marshmallow than you.”
“Nah.” Willow’s eyes brightened. “I’m pretty good at it.”
“Oh, game on, girl. Game on.” He headed for the forks, and Willow raced past him, excitement on her face.
“By the way, we can take that fishing trip anytime you want,” he said, as she passed. “I have just the pole for you to use.”
“I wanna go.” Willow’s voice was tight. “But no worms. You promise?”
“I promise.”
A smile spread across her freckled face, a genuine, gloriously happy smile.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Natalie knew in her heart that with the Byrd family at Willow’s side, this girl was going to be okay. Not unscathed by the events but okay. Drake was a big part of that. She wanted to hug him right now for his kindness but just stood back and watched him joke with Willow as they poked their marshmallows into the fire.
“Hey, I want in on this action.” Erik shoved Drake out of the way, and Pong gave a sharp yelp.
Willow giggled.
“It’s okay, boy,” Logan said. “We’re all having fun. I like fun.”
Aiden and Harper had taken Logan in hand and helped him make his s’more, and Sadie sat on Toni’s lap while Clay fixed one for her.
Peggy and Russ stepped over to Natalie.
“You have an amazing family,” Natalie said. “And I know the Gentry children will do the best that can be expected in your hands.”
“Thank you. I hope so. I got permission to homeschool Willow for a while. At least until everything dies down in the media. We’ll evaluate from there.”
“That will be good for her,” Natalie said.
