Mercy was quiet for a long moment. “I wonder what happened to all that money that members donated to Eden?”

“That’s a damn good question.”

She looked up at him. “You have apologized to Jeff Bunker, haven’t you? And thanked him?”

“Yes to both.” He scowled. “And it really hurt, too.”

She kissed his cheek. “I’m sure it did. So thank you.”

“Yeah,” he said, only slightly mollified, because it had hurt. Mostly because he knew he’d been too hard on Bunker and was ashamed of himself. “And then I told Mann about him and she said she’d seen his retraction. She said that he could contact her if he’d like a better mentor than that sleaze he used to work for.”

That earned him a sweet smile. “You’re a good man, Rafe Sokolov.”

“How good?” he asked playfully. “Do I get any kind of reward?”

She pecked his lips, then stood up. “Later. What time is your phone call with the deputy warden?”

“Eleven thirty. We’re doing a Skype session. You should sit with me.”

“I will, but I have to shower first.” She took a step back, then stopped. “I almost forgot. Is it okay if Amos comes over to visit with me today?”

“Of course. But we could go over to Mom and Dad’s house if you want.”

She hesitated. “I really want him to come here. I think he was overwhelmed with all the people in your parents’ house last night. He’d had an eventful day.”

He grasped her hand, holding on tightly. “So did you.”

She shrugged. “I think he wanted to catch up with me where it’s just us. I mean,” she added quickly, “you can stay, of course. It’s your house. But I think he was hoping for a more low-key conversation.”

Rafe kissed her palm. “I get it, Mercy. You two can use one of the other apartments if you really want to talk alone. Does he want to see Gideon, too?”

“Yes. He asked me to ask Gideon and I did.” Her lips quirked up. “Amos was using a loaner phone from Karl. The texting went really slowly. I told him to ask Abigail to help him, that kids always learn this stuff faster.”

“Is Abigail coming, too?”

“No. Some of your nieces and nephews are coming over to play with her.” Her lips curved into a full smile. “Your mom is grandmothering Abigail, and Amos says she’s eating up all the attention.”

His heart squeezed with love and pride for his mother. “Mom is awesome like that.”

“She really is. I think Mama Romero and your mother would be the very best of friends.”

The mention of Farrah’s mother reminded him of the family that Mercy had back in New Orleans. Her home. And he had the feeling that seven and a half more weeks with her would never be enough. But she was smiling and he didn’t want to see her unhappy, so he forced himself to smile. “The clock’s ticking. You should take your shower if you want to be ready for our call with the warden.”