“Maybe. I honestly don’t know. She said she’s trying to make things right. Maybe she wants her kids back. But she’s a stranger to me, Parker.” Caelyn’s voice cracked. “I don’t know that woman. Not sure I ever did.”

Parker pulled out his phone and made a few notes. “You should’ve called me. Told me you had a run-in with her.”

“I told her to go to you. To tell you where our dad is. She refused. You taking time out of your day to go bang on her door wouldn’t change anything. She’s too stubborn.”

Parker’s eyes zeroed in on Caelyn, his gaze hard. “I need to know all the pieces in play. No more holding back, okay?”

Caelyn tightened her hold on my shirt. “You’re right. I promise I’ll tell you everything from now on.”

“Thank you. I’m going to send a couple of deputies out to your mom’s place while we finish up here. Why don’t you guys head home? Get the kids settled. I’ll swing by after we’ve wrapped up here.”

“Thank you, Parker. For everything. I’m sorry we’re bringing you into this mess yet again,” Caelyn said.

Parker’s jaw hardened. “This is not your fault. Don’t you take someone else’s actions on your shoulders.”

“He’s right,” Will said. “Our parents are assholes. But that’s not on us.”

Caelyn’s lips curved the barest bit. “I prefer the term dingleberry. It limits the cussing.”

Ford chuckled. “You girls love that word.”

She shrugged. “When the shoe fits…” Caelyn stepped out of my hold to ruffle Will’s hair. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

Something about the gesture had the first little bit of tension leaving my muscles. It was so normal. The way Caelyn and Will always teased. It said that everything was going to be okay.

Parker held out a hand to stop Ford and me as Caelyn and Will headed out of the office. “What’s the security like at your place?”

That small piece of ease vanished in a flash. “It’s good.” It was top-of-the-line a few years ago. But that was no longer good enough. I needed whatever the best was.

Ford seemed to read my thoughts. “I’ve got a buddy. He’s pretty well-known, and it’s made him a nut about security. I’ll call him on the way to your place. See if he has any recommendations.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I really appreciate it. Let him know price isn’t an issue, and I’ll pay double if his guy can install it in the next week.” Ford gave me a chin jerk of agreement, and I turned back to Parker. “You think whoever this was will try again?”