If you would’ve told me two months ago that this man would be sitting at my breakfast table playing along with our family’s silly traditions, I would’ve said you’d taken an extra hard hit to the head. But here Griffin was, and it was like he belonged with us in that extra seat at our table. My mind kept catching on one tiny fact, though. “You learned how to do a cartwheel?”

He chuckled. “It wasn’t pretty.”

“You’ll get better,” Mia offered. “You just have to practice.”

I did my best to hold back my laughter. “I need to see this.”

Griffin winced. “Maybe another day. I think I might’ve pulled something.”

I snorted. “I can get you an ice pack before you leave.”

“I might need it.”

“What about you, Cae Cae?” Ava asked.

“This breakfast. You guys are good for my soul. And no one makes me laugh harder than my tiny terrors.”

“And Griffin,” Mia added. “He makes you laugh, too.”

My gaze locked with Griffin’s across the table. “Yeah. He makes me laugh, too.”

17

Griffin

Caelyn and I watched as the kids climbed onto the school bus. Apparently, the island was so small that the schools shared buses. There was a phantom squeeze in my chest as they disappeared aboard. I couldn’t help the worry, the million what-ifs, swirling around in my mind. I fought the urge to ask how safe it was to let them ride the school bus alone, knowing Caelyn wouldn’t appreciate the question.

She bumped me with her shoulder. “Thanks again for everything.”

I looked down at her—rosy cheeks, green eyes blazing in the morning sun. “Anytime.”

She grinned. “Be careful what you offer. Mia could have you living on our couch permanently.”

A part of me would’ve happily agreed to the arrangement. I hated that there would be no one looking out for Caelyn and her siblings tonight. No one to stand between them and someone who might want to take things further than a threatening note.

“What’s with the scowly face?” she asked.

I did my best to ease my expression but knew I was only partially successful. “We should talk about precautions.”

The amusement fell from Caelyn’s face. “I guess you’re right. I talked to Will, and he’s going to keep a closer eye on the girls. He’ll be extra careful when he walks them to the store from school those couple of days a week. I’m going to ask Parker for an updated photo of my mom to show Will so he can be on the lookout.”

Annoyance pricked at my gut. “And what about you?”

“Me?” She honestly looked surprised that I’d asked. As if it were ridiculous for me to be concerned about her, as well.