“Your sister, Chelsea Foley, left her children in your care while she was away?”

“Yes. She was supposed to be wrapping things up in Portland because they were in the process of moving here. I’m honestly not sure what she was doing in Las Vegas.”

Her location, everything surrounding Chelsea’s death…none of it made sense. The questions had circled my brain for most of the night as I tossed and turned. But, most of all, why had she lied? Both of us had made a conscious effort for brutal honesty as we’d reconnected these past few years. We hadn’t held anything back, knowing that lies and deceptions had forced us apart all those years ago.

The sound of typing came over the line. “That piece of things is less important right now. We need to establish you as the caregiver she left her children with. Has that happened in the past, as well?”

“Yes, the kids have stayed with me for a week the last two summers.”

“Good. And had Chelsea found a home in Sutter Lake yet? Anything that would give us proof she intended to make her home there?”

My throat constricted as I struggled to get the words out. All I could see was the bright future we’d planned. All of the things I’d wanted to share with her and the kids about this place. The birthdays and holidays we’d never have. “She was staying with me while she looked for a place. But we registered the kids for school here a few weeks ago.”

More typing sounded. “That’s good. It means if it goes to court, we’ll be able to do that here.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at that. I would’ve gone to hell and back for Justin and Lyla, but having to trek to Portland for court dates, to be in the vicinity of my parents, to be forced to drown in all of my memories there, it would’ve been rough. “Great news.”

“Now, is there a chance your parents might be willing to handle this in mediation? Or that they may simply let you take custody of the children?”

“No. There’s no chance.” Each word seemed to rip at my throat. The razor’s edge of the hatred I knew they felt for me, slicing.

“I need the full backstory there. We’ll get into every detail when I come out to Sutter Lake tomorrow, but for now, I need the broad strokes. Remember, I’m on your side. But if I don’t have the full picture, I won’t be equipped to help you.”