Almost a week later, Kit was getting ready for her group session at the counseling center. She still wasn’t comfortable with it, but the anxiety was decreasing. Sitting on the bed, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a loose top—one that would survive tears.

She walked down the hallway and out onto the deck. JJ had volunteered to watch Aric along with Regan, and her son was already over at Caz’s house. Or not. She spotted JJ and Regan on the patio, but Aric was…

Aric was near the dock, although not past the yellow line Gabe had spray-painted on the grass. The no-children-past-this-line boundary.

Holding a maroon-colored blob—a stuffed animal or something—her son stood, staring at the dock. As he had, several times a day, since Hawk had left.

Like her, he was probably seeing the bare place where the floatplane should be.

Shoulders slumping, Aric shoved the maroon object into the hoodie’s kangaroo pocket and trudged up to the house and onto the deck.

“Hawk didn’t come home, Mama.” The tears in his eyes simply broke her heart into pieces.

Damn Hawk anyway. How could he do this to her baby?

Dropping into a deck chair, she pulled Aric close, hearing the almost silent sobs.

Tears filled her own eyes. “Hawk will be back, honey. I know he will.”

But maybe not soon, and little boys of four years didn’t understand time. Days flashed past for her. For Aric, the hours were so very long.

Damn you, Hawk.

She wanted to hit him for every single tear her son cried. But how much of this was her fault? He wouldn’t have left his home and his brothers if she hadn’t been so very stupid. How could she blame him for escaping from an awkward situation?

If only he’d call so she could explain.

Yeah right. Hawk—have an uncomfortable conversation on a phone? That would happen about never. And Gabe had mentioned if Hawk was undercover, he wouldn’t call home.

“Hey, Aric,” Regan yelled from next door. “C’mon. We’re gonna look for tadpoles.”

Kit lifted her head and saw JJ watching with an understanding expression. Yes, she’d undoubtedly been in the same position—unable to help a heart-wounded child.

Moving her boy back a step, Kit wiped his damp cheeks with a tissue she’d stuck in her pocket in anticipation of a stormy group session. “Here you go, honey. Blow your nose. Then give me a hug since I have a meeting to go to tonight.”

He did and then trotted off the deck, heading for Regan.

Sirius streaked across the grass, then slowed and followed at a dignified distance, puffy tail held high.

Aric crouched to pet the giant cat, and his little chuckling laugh carried up to Kit.

Okay. Okay then. He’d be all right. For now.

Come home, Hawk. I’ll stay away. Just…come home.