Emma had to take a minute to try to understand what Hannah was talking about. From Cain’s expression she’d already made up her mind as to what this was about. Before her partner drove to Lucy’s house and beat both her parents until the truth came out whether they wanted it to or not, she had to get Hannah to say it.

“What did you have to do?” Cain asked, sounding calm. The set of her jaw was what gave her away. Her wife was a compassionate soul when it came to her and the children, but there was a rage that built in her when someone threatened to upset any of them. That rage had a way of building until she found the best release valve, and at times it meant someone ended up dead, but that didn’t bother Emma. The way Cain protected and stood up for them was what made her want to have as many children as Cain wanted. That overprotectiveness was an important part of why she’d fallen in love.

“You promise you won’t get mad?” Hannah asked, looking at her before turning her eyes to Cain. Whatever this was, Hannah was more worried about upsetting Cain, so she squeezed Cain’s arm to keep her calm.

“Hannah girl,” Cain said, kissing the little girl’s forehead. “No matter what, your mama and I will never be mad.”

“She said I had to put something in your office and see if you found it,” Hannah said as fast as the words could come out.

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” she said, staring at Cain over Hannah’s head. She shared the anger she saw simmering in Cain’s eyes.

“Mom doesn’t like anybody in her office, and I told Lucy that. She said we can’t be friends because I wouldn’t do it.” Hannah sounded miserable and started crying.

Cain’s expression softened, and she closed her eyes momentarily. “You did the right thing, baby,” Cain said, holding Hannah tighter.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I should’ve told you.” Hannah turned and threw her arms around Cain.

Their daughter was a lot like their first-born son in that both of them loved their parents, but they didn’t ever want to disappoint Cain. Not that Cain pushed them too hard or gave them a bad time, but it seemed to be an innate thing that had something to do with the Casey genes. Their mother’s disappointment was way worse than her anger.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” Cain said, holding Hannah as she cried in earnest. “What Lucy did wasn’t your fault, and it’s not something a real friend would ask.” Hannah gazed up at Cain as if she wanted to believe what she was saying. “The thing is, you have to forgive Lucy because it really wasn’t her fault either.”