I hadn’t even thought of that. Ari nodded, pointing as his backpack. “I got them.”

“Great. I’ll take a look at them when we get to the house, and don’t worry. I texted Jim and he said he’s got everything he needs to formally take your case. We don’t need your uncle for this.”

Ari’s lip trembled again. “Okay. Thank you, Easton.”

For the second time in the last hour I felt immensely grateful for Easton Archer. “Thank you,” I said, my own voice quavering with emotion.

“Of course. I’ll see you at home.”

I was not going to question the ball of fire that the word “home” from Easton lips set off in my chest. I had things to take care of, and it seemed like I wouldn’t have to do any of it alone.

Easton

“How’s he doing?” I asked Patrice when he walked into my kitchen, looking completely worn out.

He sighed as he wrapped his arms around my waist, tired eyes flickering shut. When he opened them I could see the toll the last few hours had taken on him. “I don’t know honestly. Yin’s sister agreed that it was better for him to stay here until the storm calmed down. There’s no way she’s getting here from Trumansburg to get him in this weather, anyway. I gave them some space and said I’d be up here if they need anything. If that’s all right with you, of course.”

This night had turned out very different than I had planned, but having Patrice here, coming to me for a little comfort... I wouldn’t change that for anything. I turned around and tightened my arms around his neck, locking us together in the warmth of my kitchen. “Of course it’s fine,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Like you don’t know I’d happily have you here all day every day. Is Ari still eerily quiet?”

Another tired sigh. “Yeah, he’s in worry overdrive. Worried about what’s going to happen, worried about what Yin’s sisters are going to think, worried about his papers...just worried about everything.”

“I just talked to May again and they’re just as worried about him, they’re not angry. They see how Ari’s with Yin.” I smiled remembering May’s words. “She said, ‘he treats Yin like a precious snowflake.’ That, if anything, he needs to spoil him less.” That pulled out a small smile from Patrice’s lips. “They know no one is more upset about this than Ari.”