“Fine. I’ll bring him to the station. I’ll call before I come.”
“I’m going to hunt him down and tell him to get his ass home and sober up. Thanks for the heads up, East.”
“Somethin’ has to be done about this.”
“I know. Children’s Aid has been out there. I keep reporting him, but it’s out of my hands. I’ll have you make another report. It can’t hurt.”
“He was underdressed, frozen, filthy, and starvin’ when I found him, Windsor. How can they keep ignorin’ it?”
“They aren’t. It’s a process. Take care of him, East.”
“Always do.”
“You’re a good man.”
We hung up, and I took a minute to calm my temper before returning to the kitchen. I found Percy eating his second banana, cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s. His eyes blew wide, and guilt swamped his face when I caught him.
“You’re fine, buddy.”
He relaxed and chewed slower. It was probably the first he’d eaten all day. If his older half-brother, Eric, was home, at least I knew the kid didn’t starve. But Eric was only fourteen and lived half the time with his mother. Percy wasn’t his responsibility, but I hated when Eric wasn’t around. At least with his half-brother present, I knew Percy was semi-safer.
“Your belly full yet, or do you need more?”
“It’s full,” he said through a mouthful of banana.
“You need a shower, and then you can watch TV in the little room. Chief Elkhart said you can spend the night and go home tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Percy held his arms up like his team had scored a winning goal. A toothy smile filled his face. I couldn’t help but smile with him.
“Hop down and get in the bathroom. My sister won’t like it that I’m missing her reception. She wants me to dance with her.”
“Eww. With your sister?”
“Thems the rules at weddings.”
“How come you don’t have a girlfriend?”
“’Cause I don’t like girls.” I poked him playfully.
“I don’t like girls either. They’re gross, and they smell funny.”
I picked Percy up and flung him over my shoulder as he squealed. “You’ll change your mind when you’re older.”
“You didn’t, why should I?”
We both laughed as I marched with him upside down to the bathroom.
Percy knew the routine. I dropped him on his feet outside the door, and he fake tipped his hat at me. “Thank you for the ride, kind sir.”
“Yeah, yeah. Scrub your ears and your face. They’re muddy.”
He scowled but obediently headed into the bathroom.
While he showered, I found one of my old T-shirts that was too small and tossed it in the door. It would probably hang to his feet, but it was better than nothing. He could sleep in it, and I’d wash his clothes overnight so they were fresh for the following day.
Once I had him settled in the small room with a movie, I went back outside to the wedding reception. At least those ever-present reminders of Lachlan and his offers I knew little about weren’t making my chest tight any longer. My focus had turned to the small boy inside the house and the father who wouldn’t take care of him.
The following morning after chores and a big breakfast with Dad, JR, Paige, and Percy, I encouraged Percy to follow me out to the pasture where Bella was saddled up and waiting to head to town.
“Can I wear your hat?” Percy asked as he skipped along beside me.
“Nope. You have to wear a helmet for safety.”
“How come you don’t wear a helmet?”
“I’m a grown-up and choose not to.”
“Why are we taking Bella and not your truck?”
“’Cause Bella’s more fun, isn’t she?”
“Uh-huh. Can I feed her the apple?”
I tossed the shiny red MacIntosh toward Percy, who caught it between his little palms.
“Remember the rules.”
“I know. Bella doesn’t like it when I yell and move too fast.”
“That’s right. She scares easy.”
While Percy hopped the fence at the pasture, I whistled Bella’s special call, grabbing her attention.
“She’s not scared of your whistle?”
“Nope. She likes it because it means I’m here, and we’re probably goin’ ridin’.”
“Oh. Here she comes.” Percy pointed, beaming.
“Show her the apple.”
While Percy gave Bella a treat, I unhooked the small helmet I’d hung on the fence earlier. When Bella’s apple was gone, I helped fit it on Percy’s head, pulling the strap snug under his chin.
“It’s choking me.”
“It’s not. It has to be tight, or it won’t do its job.”
“Can I drive her?”
I chuckled. “We can do it together, how ’bout?”
“’Kay.”
Once Percy was seated in the saddle, I swung up behind