Page 112 of Gifts

Grady keeps talking. “Apparently Dooley has some drug dealer moral code. He’s picky about who he sells to, doesn’t deal to kids because he has enough dumb-shits who are of age. He doesn’t pimp and he stays away from trafficking.”

“Trafficking,” I repeat and can’t take my eyes off my daughter. “Is that what this is?”

“He didn’t say the word, but Jarvis could read between the lines. Dooley wants to find his cousin before the cops do because he doesn’t know if Wallace is smart enough to keep his yap shut. Jarvis worked out a deal—if Dooley finds him before the cops do, we get to talk to him.”

Fucking great. Jarvis is making pacts with drug dealers. “And if Jarvis finds him before the cops or Dooley? What then?”

Grady laughs over the phone. “Man, you know I didn’t ask about that scenario.”

I exhale, thinking it’s better I don’t know, either. I don’t care who finds him as long as it happens fast. As I look at the woman I plan to marry as soon as I can make it happen, I know I’m not going to be the one finding Wallace. I promised her and no way am I going back on that.

“I’ll pass this on to Keelie. And from now on, Emma is under lock and key until we get to the bottom of this shit.”

“Good luck with that,” Grady laughs. “Maya wanted me to tell you we’ll be at graduation and the party. Can’t believe Levi’ll be gone in a few months.”

“You and me both.” I sigh. “Let me know if you hear anything more.”

We hang up and I slide my phone into my pocket. When I look down, Ryder is chewing on my shoelaces. Shaking my head, I pick up my poodle and head straight for Saylor, who hasn’t carried in a thing but is in the middle of it all.

“You’re on Ryder duty, sweetheart.” I hand her the puppy and her face lights up.

Beaming at me, she clutches the dog in both arms. “Okay, but you have to read to me first tonight.”

I lean down and plant a kiss on her head, knowing good and well she’ll fall asleep and get out of reading to me. But I can’t help it—she’s hard to deny. “It’s a deal, baby.”

*****

We’ve been settled in at the farmhouse for a week now—the six of us with a shitload of animals. Never thought I’d have four kids, a slew of goats, a donkey, and I really never thought I’d have a poodle, but here I am. And besides all the shit swirling, I’ve never been better.

“Tell me why we have to do these when you know them?” I ask Knox.

He takes the multiplication flash cards I just finished quizzing him on for no reason. He never misses a one. “Because my teacher says we have to do them every day.”

I shake my head and reach over to ruffle his dark hair. “You should tell your teacher to give you something to practice that you don’t know. Better use of your time.”

Knox looks up at me with big eyes. “I can’t tell my teacher that.”

I give him a grin. “Probably not, but maybe I should.”

His dark eyes get even bigger.

“Hey, I’m kidding,” I lie to make him feel better, but I’m definitely going to have a conversation with Keelie. Even though it’s almost summer, he needs to be challenged. If nothing else, we need to make sure it happens next year.

My phone vibrates and when I look at the screen, the cameras show Keelie driving in. She’s busy with end of the year stuff at school so I told her to take her time and I’d be on kid duty.

When she comes through the garage door, her arms are weighed down with bags of groceries. She starts talking a mile a minute as I take them from her. “FYI—Danielle and I have been texting back and forth all day about Levi’s graduation party. Now, I know you gave him a limit of how many kids he could invite, but he’s well-liked and didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

I set the bags on the counter and turn to her. She’s standing there with her arms crossed and her lip pulled between her teeth. She knows I gave him a limit.

“Baby,” I start. “It’s not like I capped him at ten. I said thirty. That’s plenty for a high school party.”

She drops her arms and sighs. “The party’s outside, Asa. A bonfire is a bonfire, no matter how many people will be here.” She throws her hand to the side and shrugs. “Danielle and I will handle the food and stuff. All you have to do is make sure no one gets pregnant.”

I feel my face fall. “That’s not funny.”

She holds her hands out, palms up to defend herself. “Hey, I’m a high school counselor. I know that’s not funny.”

I shake my head. “Thirty. That’s it.”

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