“I wasn’t expecting this, but at least we know the perfect song.” Gabe grinned. “ ‘Be True to Your School’.”

They laughed—because for the last couple of weeks, they’d played the Beach Boys’ song to get the kids in the mood for classes.

Caz tucked Aric between his knees to help drum—the boy had skills—and led off with a quick drumroll. A nod told his family when to jump in.

It wasn’t long before the crowd was singing along in rowdy enthusiasm.

Caz smiled in contentment, feeling as if he was nestled in the heart of his family and his town.

They’d finished their set onstage with “Turn! Turn! Turn!” a cover by The Byrds Hawk had always loved.

“To everything there is a season.”

In the past, the tune had left him in a melancholy mood, but not today. Not with Aric dragging him and Kit off to greet people and then to check out the food.

The kid was always hungry.

And seasons could change for the better.

“A time of war, a time of peace.”

On Wednesday, they’d shopped and set up Aric’s new room. The next day, Kit and Aric had moved into Hawk’s house—their house, now. Although they didn’t own much, everyone at the Hermitage had helped, Bull had fired up the grill, and the rest of the evening became a celebration.

He’d worried about Aric’s reaction needlessly. The boy seemed to have expected them to live together, and he loved getting his own “just like Regan’s!” room.

The first night, he’d snuck into the master bedroom as if to check that Hawk and Kit were where they belonged, then had slept peacefully in his room since.

Hawk frowned. It did seem a mite unfair that he had Kit in his bed, and Aric was alone downstairs.

Will she kill me if I buy the boy a dog?

“See?” Aric called, giving Hawk’s hand another tug. “There’s stuff to eat.” He pointed to the tables filled with potluck foods. Around the grounds, people were sitting at picnic tables or on blankets on the ground.

“Yo, Hawk.” Over at a grill, Guzman waved a spatula. He and Tucker’d taken charge of grilling salmon. With a few others, Knox, Chevy, and Erica were staffing the hamburger and hot dog grills.

After getting plates of food, Hawk led his small crew over to where the family had pushed together a couple of picnic tables.

“Over here, Aric.” Regan patted the empty spot beside her and pointed to two more spaces for Kit and Hawk.

As Aric climbed onto the bench, Kit grinned at Hawk. “I guess we’re sitting here.”

“Not going to argue with her.” He set Aric’s plate in front of him, his own plate next to it. “The two of them could take us.”

Kit laughed.

“Hermitage people, may we join you?”