Page 177 of State of Alert

“You’re doing great. All that matters is you’re trying your best.”

“Dad would say all that matters are A’s.”

“He doesn’t think that.”

“I want to be smart like him.”

“You are! You’re the smartest fourteen-year-old I’ve ever met.”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression full of skepticism. “How many fourteen-year-olds do you even know?”

“I’ve known my share. I was one once, don’t forget.”

“Yeah, like a hundred years ago.”

“Watch it, mister. Where are the twins?”

“They’re washing up for dinner, if they know what’s good for them.”

“Listen to you, acting like the big daddy.”

“Someone’s gotta when Big Daddy is away.”

“What’s for dinner?”

“Enchiladas. I’m so excited.”

“Yum. Go round up the Littles and meet me in the dining room. I’ve got to put my stuff away.”

“Mom.”

“What’s up?”

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with the grandparents?”

The question stopped her heart for a second. “How do you know about that?”

“You just mentioned how smart I am. I hear things.”

“I think we’ve got it handled, so try not to worry.”

“Handled how?”

“Andy is taking information to their lawyer that should make it go away.”

“‘Should’ isn’t definite.”

“No, but you know what is? Adoption.”

His gorgeous brown eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Yeah, we’re talking about adopting all three of them so this can never happen again.”

“What does Eli say about that?”

“He’s all for it.”

“So, like, it would be legal and locked down forever?”

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