Liam studied him steadily. “When I heard you were coming home, I thought you’d find a way to help the shelter. It’s not doing so well.”

“That’s your department.” Liam was a police officer and lived smack in the middle of Safe Haven.

“Your brother’s got his hands full. Looking at a promotion to chief.” Ma smiled at Liam with fond pride. She hadn’t raised him or their brother Cash when their family had fallen apart. Her small bayou house had only had room for Sean, but her heart had always been big enough to consider both of Sean’s natural brothers as kin. And although Liam and Cash had landed in different local families, both of them looked at Ma Dixie’s cabin as a second home.

Sean lifted an eyebrow. “Congratulations. Never thought my little brother would end up the top guy.”

His brother punched his arm, none too lightly. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Where’s Cash, Ma? I thought he was supposed to help us talk sense into Stupid, here.”

“Sean’s not stupid. And Cash called. Some high-flying deal, so he’s stuck in Atlanta.” Ma Dixie pulled the shades to block the afternoon sun, then put her hands on ample hips. “I agree with Liam. You ought to stay in town, figure out a way to help the shelter, not go off and lick your wounds alone. Eldora can find another caretaker.”

Sean ignored the wounds part. “I’m no use to the shelter.” Just like the shelter had been no use to their mother. “Do I look like the kind of guy a woman in trouble would trust?”

“You could clean yourself up.” Ma pinched his bristly cheek. “Shave. Cut your hair.”

“Lighten up on the steroids,” Liam joked, then raised a hand when Sean bristled. “I know, you wouldn’t. But you’re huge! You must’ve been working out 24-7.”

Sean didn’t bother to correct his brother. The truth was, he’d been doing hard physical labor back in Knoxville, working construction alongside his team. Partly to pay for the divorce, and partly to keep his mind off things.

But the noise and chatter had gotten to him. It was getting to him now, making him think too much. Ma and Liam both had his best interests at heart, but they were overly optimistic about healing wounds and moving on and being happy. He stood. “If the intervention’s over,” he said, softening his words with a smile, “I’ve got a job to do.”

“You’ll come for Friday-night suppers, now that you’re back in the area?”

“Sure, Ma.” He put an arm around the woman and squeezed her shoulders. He owed her his life and would lay it on the line for her or any one of his brothers. Outsiders, not so much. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be fine. I just need a little peace and quiet.”

* * *

ANNA GEORGE STOPPED her car in front of a pair of padlocked gates and stared at the sign.