tale land where people are good just because they claim to be.”
Parker put a palm on my chest, giving me a small shove. “Crosby, back off. You’re out of line.”
I bit back a curse, running my hands through my hair and tugging on the ends. “I’m sorry, but you didn’t see her in that closet.”
“No, but I did just hear all about it.” Tears glistened in Harper’s eyes before she quickly wiped them away. “I’ll do whatever I can to make sure she’s safe. I’ve already lined up placement with a couple I’d trust with my life.”
“I’m getting her a cell phone. You need to make sure she can have access to it and that the foster parents won’t take it away.”
“I think that is a great place to start to make Zoe feel safe. She has a fondness for you and your friend, Kenna. She talked about you both quite a bit. She trusts you.”
A mixture of warmth and pain filled my chest. Pride and terror. I’d do whatever it took to make sure this little girl was safe. “We care about her.”
Harper nodded. “That much is clear. She’s lucky to have you both.”
My shoulders relaxed a fraction. “I’m sorry I was such an ass.”
“Understatement,” Parker muttered.
Harper gave me a small smile. “It’s all right. You’re protective. Zoe needs people like you in her life.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Sliding it out, I stole a quick glance at the screen. “Sorry, I need to take this really quick.”
“Go right ahead,” Harper said. “We have a few minutes before I need to take Zoe to the Wilsons.”
I hated the idea of Zoe being shuffled off to yet another foster home, but it wasn’t like I could take her. “I want to meet them.”
“Sure, you can come with us if you want,” Harper offered.
I gave a jerk of my chin and then stepped away to answer my still-ringing phone. “Jones, what’s up?”
Michael Jones was a clerk at the courthouse. We’d bonded over rock climbing, and he sometimes passed along tidbits of information he overheard in the halls. “I got something you might be interested in.”
“What’s that?”
“That douchebag lawyer, the one you stole a lot of clients from on Anchor?”
I groaned. “I didn’t steal them. They sought me out. But, yeah.”
“Whatever, man. Anyway, he was chatting with this preppy dude, and they were on their way to file some stuff. Contesting a will.” My body went rigid as Jones continued talking. “I heard a name. Harriet Abbot. That’s the sweet old lady who met you for lunch at the courthouse sometimes, right?”
“That’s the one.” My teeth ground together. “Do you know if they filed, or were they just discussing it?”
“I think they filed. I’m sorry, Crosby.”
I muttered a litany of curses that would’ve had Harriet smacking me for sure. “Not your fault. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“Anytime. Hey, you want to hit up Black Rock this weekend? Do some climbing?”
“Depends on what is about to blow up in my face.”
“I hear you. Let me know what you decide.”
“Will do.” I hit End on my screen and strode back towards Harper and Parker, who were deep in conversation. “Do you think we could go meet the Wilsons now? I want to make sure Zoe’s comfortable there.” I wouldn’t leave her if she wasn’t, but I needed to get to Kenna, too. This wasn’t exactly something I could tell her in a text. If Ben Hotchkiss was working with the Abbots, they weren’t going to pull any punches.
And Kenna’s worst fears just might become a reality.
21
Kenna
I adjusted my spandex shorts as I slipped my feet into flip-flops, grinning as I went. How was it that leaving work at five o’clock, the legitimate end of the workday, made me feel like such a rebel? Chris had given me a dirty look as I headed out with the majority of the staff, but thankfully, he’d kept his mouth shut.
I needed a hit of that peace I’d gotten with Crosby out on the water. I wasn’t going to ask him to go with me, that would be completely crazy. But he’d left my paddleboard in the boat shed with the kayaks. I was going out to find that damn peace for myself. Because Crosby wouldn’t stick around forever. The allure of whatever he thought was so intriguing about me would fade, and I’d have to be okay on my own. Just like always.
A knock sounded at my door, and I checked my watch, wondering if Caelyn was