“People at church are helping me. We’ve been trying. Looking everywhere. Where he used to go. Where they know people go. Talking to people who know where people are. We can’t find him,” she shared.

“I—” I began.

“Mrs. Schott,” Merry cut me off. “We got an eleven-year-old’s birthday party happening in that house. I’m sorry, but we need to get back to Ethan and you need to be on your way.”

She looked up at Merry, bouncing her boy up on her hip. He was about to lose it and start bawling, I could tell.

“But my husband has left me,” she told Merry.

“Do you have family? Friends?” Colt asked.

She looked to Colt. “Of course.”

“Then go home and call them.”

She looked beyond Colt to my house. “I was sure he’d be here.”

It was sad—those two kids of hers—tragic, even.

But she’d been married to him for years and she didn’t know Trent at all, which meant Merry was right.

Her problems were hers.

“I gotta get back to Ethan, Peg, but I’ll help you get the kids in the car before I do. Okay?” I offered.

Her eyes drifted to me.

They were brimming with tears.

Shit.

“We got her. You get in there.”

I turned my head and saw Dusty and Rocky moving our way.

Cal was in the yard not too far from Merry and Colt. Mom, Tanner, and Mike were standing on the stoop. Ryker was also in the yard, arms crossed on his chest, looking grouchy. Ryan wasn’t too far away, looking like he was trying to keep some distance from Ryker but also be close to me should I need him.

Rocky went right to Peg’s son on her hip.

Dusty went after the stroller.

And I took that moment to glory in another boon. Not one Merry gave me. One I’d earned myself.

I had really fucking awesome friends.

(Yes, even Ryker.)

“Now, let’s get you in your van,” Rocky urged.

“Go,” Dusty ordered me, commandeering the stroller and turning it down the walk. “Get on in there. Light up the candles. We’ll have our cake when we get back. But save opening the presents. That’s always the best part.”

I nodded, the movement feeling weird, wooden. At first, I didn’t know why.

Watching Rocky bounce Trent’s possibly now fatherless son on her hip while she guided a lost Peggy to her van, following Dusty, I figured it out.

I knew her fear.

And I wasn’t Peg’s biggest fan, but I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.

I looked up at Merry and opened my mouth.

He got in my face.

“Do not go soft on me,” he ordered low.

I closed my mouth.

Just a look. That was all it took.

Jeez, when did he get to know me so well?

“Her bed she made,” he stated.

“But—”

“Monday, I’ll make some calls, do some searches, ask around. If I hear anything, I’ll tell you and you can tell her. I don’t hear anything, I’ll talk to some buds. They’ll keep their eyes peeled. Anyone sees him, they’ll tell me, I’ll tell you, and you can tell her. That’s what I’ll do for Ethan. He’s gonna worry. And since I’m doin’ that for Ethan, I’ll be doin’ it for her. But that’s all I’m gonna do, Cher.”