‘‘That was then, this is now.’’ Cam heaped a plate with food, then leaned back against the counter. The kid looked tanned and healthy, he noted. The eyes were still wary, but his face had lost that rabbit-about-to-run look. He wondered if it would surprise Seth as much as it had himself to know he’d missed the smart-mouthed brat. ‘‘So, how’s it been going?’’

‘‘Okay. School’s done, and I’ve been helping Ethan out on the boat a lot. Pays me slave’s wages there and at the boatyard.’’

‘‘Anna’s going to want to know what you got on your report card.’’

‘‘A’s,’’ Seth muttered around a mouthful of drumstick, and Cam choked.

‘‘All?’’

‘‘Yeah—so what?’’

‘‘She’s going to love that. Want to make more points with her?’’

Seth jerked a shoulder again, narrowing his eyes as he considered what he would be asked to do to please the woman of the house. ‘‘Maybe.’’

‘‘Put the soccer shirt on. It took her damn near half an hour to pick out the right one. Major points if you wear it the same night she gives it to you.’’

‘‘Yeah?’’ As easy as that? Seth thought and relaxed into a grin. ‘‘I guess I can give her a thrill.’’

‘‘ HE REALLY LIKED HIS shirt,’’ Anna said as she meticulously tucked away the contents of one suitcase. ‘‘And the book. I’m so glad we thought of the book.’’

‘‘Yeah, he liked them.’’ Cam figured the next day, even next year, was soon enough to unpack. Besides, he liked stretching out on the bed and watching her—watching his wife, he thought with an odd little thrill—fuss around the room.

‘‘He didn’t freeze up when I hugged him. That’s a good sign. And his interaction with Ethan and Phillip is easier, more natural, than it was even a couple of weeks ago. He was anxious to see you again. He’s feeling a little threatened by me. I change the dynamics around here just at the point where he was getting used to how things worked. So he’s waiting, and he’s watching for what’ll happen next. But that’s good. It means he considers this his home. I’m the intruder.’’

‘‘Miz Spinelli?’’

She turned her head, arched a brow. ‘‘That’s Mrs. Quinn to you, buster.’’

‘‘Why don’t you turn off the social worker until Monday?’’

‘‘Can’t.’’ She slipped one of her new shoes out of its bag and nearly cooed at it in delight. ‘‘The social worker is very pleased with the status of this particular case. And Mrs. Quinn, the brand-new sister-in-law, is determined to win Seth’s trust, and maybe even his affection.’’