Justin grinned as he tapped a little boy on the shoulder. But I could see beneath the mask—the pain a living and breathing thing inside him. Lyla had shut it off, pretending yesterday hadn’t happened at all. When I’d asked how she was feeling this morning, she’d snapped at me that she was fine.

I wasn’t sure how to proceed. I needed to find the name of a therapist in town. Someone who could tell me what steps to take. Someone who could assure me that I wasn’t messing these kids up beyond repair.

I let my eyes fall closed, sending up a prayer to God or the Universe or whoever might be listening. All I wanted was to keep the kids safe. To make sure they were loved and had everything they needed.

I winced at the last thought, my eyes opening. My salary for running Hope House was generous. Especially for someone who’d barely graduated high school, but I would have to rework my budget—and my living arrangements.

The cottage only had two bedrooms. I’d bought two twin beds for the guest room when Chelsea and the kids had started to visit, but Justin and Lyla would only be content with sharing a room for so long.

I rubbed at my temples, the pressure thrumming there in a steady beat. My cell phone rang, cutting through my panic. I swiped it up, barely glancing at the unknown number before answering.

“Hello, this is Anna.”

“Hello, Ms. Foley. This is Keisha Williams. I believe Mason Decker told you I’d be calling.”

He had. I’d woken from a rocky sleep at seven this morning to a long text from him on my phone. Mason hadn’t delayed in finding me help. He told me that Ms. Williams was one of the best lawyers in the state when it came to custody cases, and she only lived an hour away.

“Please, call me Anna. Thank you so much for taking my case.”

“And call me Keisha. I’m happy to help any friend of Mase’s.”

Mase’s. The fondness in Keisha’s tone had my breakfast souring in my stomach. “How do you two know each other?”

She chuckled. “He and my husband got into all sorts of trouble together in law school.”

Why did I feel such relief at the word husband falling from Keisha’s mouth? Dumb, dumb, dumb. I forced some levity into my voice. “Sounds like you have some good stories.”

“Anna, I’ve got all the dirt. Just stick with me.”

The warmth and kindness in her voice was a balm I hadn’t realized I needed. “Can’t wait to hear them.”

“All right. What do you say we get down to business so I can do my best to file today or tomorrow?”

Everything inside me seemed to twist at her words. “That would be good.”