“Zoe, Mrs. Calhoun is here to pick you up,” Callie called.

That same tension shot through Zoe’s shoulders again, and my gaze shifted to the parking lot. A woman wearing a baggy and worn sundress stood next to a station wagon that looked more than a little worse for wear. Mrs. Calhoun smiled and waved. Zoe looked up at me, and my heart cracked at the uncertainty in her eyes. “Just remember, you can call me anytime. If you’re scared or just want to talk.”

“Okay.” The life that had come back into Zoe’s eyes as we played soccer was gone now.

A muscle in my jaw flickered as I watched Zoe walk to Mrs. Calhoun and climb into the station wagon. Callie crossed to me and watched as Zoe and her foster mom drove away. “So? How’d it go?”

“I don’t have a good feeling about her placement. What do you know about the family?”

Callie’s brow furrowed. “I haven’t heard much about them, honestly. I don’t think we’ve had any other kids who were placed with them. But if there had been complaints, I’d know.”

“I think I’m going to make an unannounced visit or two.”

Callie groaned. “Crosby…don’t get us in trouble. The last thing we need is to have foster families complaining about us harassing them.”

“You know me, Cal. I’ll be perfectly polite.” I could turn on the charming bastard when I needed to. It wasn’t a part I relished playing. It reminded me too much of a past that I wanted to forget. But to make sure Zoe was safe, I’d do it without batting an eye.

I slipped my phone out of my pocket and muttered a curse. I had four missed calls from Penny. I gave Callie a quick one-armed hug. “I gotta run. I’m pretty sure my assistant is one missed call away from hiring an assassin to take me out.”

Callie laughed. “You better get going. I wouldn’t want to be on Miss Penny’s bad side.”

She wasn’t wrong. That woman would put salt in my coffee. I tapped Penny’s contact as I strode towards the parking lot.

“Well, it’s about time. I’ve been fighting off the hounds of hell while you’ve been gone.”

I beeped my locks. “Sorry, you know I keep my phone on silent during those initial meetings.”

“I know, I know.”

“Who’s beating down your door? Has your knitting club been accused of murder again?”

“It’s a knitting circle. How many times do I have to tell you?”

I chuckled as I climbed into my truck and started it up. “Apologies. Now, who’s starting fires I need to put out?”

“The Abbots are here.” Penny whispered the words as if the family was standing behind her.

“In the office?”