“Let’s walk and you can tell me.”

They headed down the tree-lined drive with him pushing the stroller again.

“I haven’t even told Mom and Dad yet, only Charlie knows.”

“Okay.”

Still she didn’t probe.

“The doctor told me he found cocaine in her system, Piper. Ava’s been doing drugs, and no one knew.”

“Oh, Dylan, I’m so sorry.” She squeezed his fingers, and he battled the urge to open them and take her hand in his.

“I can’t help feeling like we’ve let her down. I mean, leaving her here with Mom and Dad, and the pressure Mom obviously put on her.”

“Sure, and I get that you would feel guilty, but did she ever try to get in contact with you?”

“No, but I think that was on Mom too. And I was her older brother. Nine years, Piper, I have nine years on her, and I just walked away. We were close, and used to spend a lot of time together. I was selfish, telling myself that she didn’t need me, either of my sisters, and they were doing just fine without me around.”

“So what, you’re going to spend the rest of your life taking the blame for being an asshole now?”

He snorted. “I don’t remember mentioning the word asshole.”

“The point here, Dylan, is that your regrets are all well and good, but they don’t do much to change anything and just make you feel bad. I know; remember the regrets I have over Joanie?”

He nodded.

“You have to move forward now, Dylan, and find a way to help Ava.”

“And Charlie.”

“What’s wrong with Charlie?”

Hell why not? He’d already told her about Ava, and it felt good to talk things over with someone. She whistled when he’d finished.

“It’s like open season on Howards at the moment, which is weird. I mean, stuff happens, I get that, but to four members of one family? You guys lucked out for sure.”

“I know, it’s weird. Dad, Mom, Charlie, and now Ava. Every time I think about leaving, something keeps me here.”

“Totally weird, but like I said, it happens.”

“I guess. The friend I have looking into what’s going on with Charlie said that whoever is out to get her knows what they’re doing.”

“Excellent, at least she’s being targeted by a talented asshole.”

He snorted again.

“Piper, what I’ve told you—”

She made a zipper movement with her thumb and forefinger.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

They walked a while longer.

“I don’t know what to do now,” he said honestly. It was a first for Dylan, because he always knew what to do. In his job he was in total control, but not here.