Hurting Vance made me hate myself. “You deserve better than this,” I insisted. I didn’t give him a chance to reply, just took off down the drive like a shot, making it to the farmhouse in record time. Thankfully, the rumble of his truck drifted in the opposite direction. He’d let me win this round. I sure didn’t feel like a winner, though.

The crowd was gathered on the porch, hunched over Raleigh as he clutched something close in front of him. Could it be the ice cream maker? My mouth watered, already longing for the sweet fruity taste of peach ice cream. It was possible, considering peaches were still in season. The glance of nostalgia had me wishing I’d invited Vance up instead of running him off.

A smile began tipping my lips as I took several rushed strides to the porch to join them, but then I got a better look at my siblings’ faces. Anger streaked wet paths down their cheeks, lips thin and holding grimaces.

“What’s wrong?” I pushed past Boss to see what Raleigh was doing. “Oh, Raleigh.” The smell of urine was strong but it didn’t deter me from settling on my knees and wrapping my arms around him tightly.

“Pa did this.” Raleigh sniffled while holding the shredded baby blanket together. It was just as futile an attempt as me wanting to hold this family together. “He even took Mama’s bottle of lotion.” A sob cut his words off. “Said . . . I needed to grow up . . .” His body shook.

“What in the world happened? It’s only been like fifteen minutes since services got out.”

Peg roared with indignation, stabbing a finger in the direction of the packhouse, where I heard loud beating and banging. “That lunatic flipped out is what happened! Raleigh’s fingers got slammed in the front door. It hurt him, doggone it! He had a right to cry!” He crossed his arms while a few expletives tumbled through his lips.

I reared far enough away to seek Raleigh’s wounded hand. It wasn’t hard to spot the swollen red-and-purple fingers he carefully held against his chest. “Charlotte, grab us a dishcloth full of ice, please. And some aspirin.” Ice and pain reliever were the only things I could offer to fix the swelling.

A loud clanging rang out from the barn. I looked that way but only saw shadows moving around inside. “What on earth is he doing in there?”

“Probably finishing ruining the dang boom box.” Peg motioned to the small side table on the porch. “He knocked it off the table and then kicked it while showing his behind. I’m tellin’ you, Austin. I’ve had enough!” Peg stomped inside and commenced to adding his own beating and banging to the mix.