“She’s the reason you don’t want to get involved,” she said slowly. “You fell in love with Lori, and she turned out to be a monster, so now you can’t trust yourself.”

“I didn’t love her,” he admitted. “I thought Harrison needed a mother, and she was a likely candidate.” He’d enjoyed her company and had cared about her, but his feelings hadn’t been deeper than that.

“Dumb reason to get married,” she told him. “Harrison is thriving. You don’t need to create a family for him. He has one already. Not just with you and Judy but in the town. This isn’t a community that turns its back on people.” She paused. “Okay, you weren’t living here then, but I’m sure you had a circle of friends who were like family to Harrison.”

Which was exactly what Dr. Nina had told him.

“I know that now,” he said.

“But you’re still not willing to trust.” She held up a hand. “I get it. I really do. I don’t know that I’d trust anyone after that. Does Dena know?”

He nodded. “I told her at the beginning of the school year, in case something happened.”

“She hasn’t said anything to me, and I won’t say anything to anyone, either.” She drew in a breath. “I just want to go hug him and never let go, and I want to find Lori and bitch-slap her.” She smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry I can’t do more than that. I’m not good at violence.” She brightened. “If Belle continues to grow a little attitude, I could train her to growl on command. That would be scary.”

Deep in his chest, a little of the guilt and fury broke free and evaporated in the warmth of her caring. Reggie had her flaws, but lack of loyalty and heart wasn’t on the list. He remembered how she’d stood by him when her parents and her friends had questioned her willingness to go out with a guy like him. She’d agreed to follow the rules her parents had set in place, but had refused to not see him based on rumors and a family history.

“You’re a good friend,” he told her.

“You’re a good dad. I know you doubt yourself because of what happened, but we’re not responsible for other people’s sicknesses. That’s on them.”

“I lie awake at night and wonder if I missed a sign somewhere.”

“Unless she had one on the wall that said ‘hey, I lock kids in the closet,’ then you didn’t. Harrison has healed. He’s brave and strong. Trust that and trust yourself.”

Without thinking, he stood and pulled her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her. She hung on to him, burying her face in his shoulder.