Page 25 of The White Picket Fence

“Kayla,” Tino said warmly. “I’m so sorry about your father.”

“He’ll be okay,” Kayla said, her voice shaky, because it had been a close call. “We’re the lucky ones.”

“There’s been a rash of robberies on the street,” Charlotte explained. “A man shot three store owners in one night. Kayla’s dad was the only one who made it.”

“He’s still in the hospital,” Kayla said, her eyes filling with tears. “He hasn’t woken up yet, but the doctors say that he will. It’s an induced coma, so that he can heal.”

“Wow, that’s a lot for your family to go through,” Tino said. “I’m so sorry.”

Kayla nodded. “Thank you.” She drew a breath and faced Charlotte. “I was wondering if you’d show me how to cook. You can’t help us forever, and my mom is so stressed out. She cries all the time and...” She blinked, her own tears spilling down her cheeks. “I have to dosomething. I take care of my little brother and sister, but I have to do more.”

“I absolutely will,” Charlotte promised. “We’ll start simple, and I’ll show you how to make meals that will be nutritious and yummy. I’ll call your mom and set up the times for you to come over. Okay?”

Kayla wiped at her eyes. “Thank you. You’ve been so nice to us. To the other families, too.” She looked at Tino. “Charlotte cooks for all of us, all three of our families. One lost their grandma. She ran the dry cleaners. The other lost their grandpa. He owned the pizza place. He was closing up when the man came in with a gun. It’s been bad.”

Tino slowly blew out a breath. “I read about the violence. I didn’t realize it was this neighborhood. I’m glad Charlotte is helping you.”

Kayla’s smile was wobbly. “Me too. I have to go to school now. Can I come over tonight?”

“Of course. I’ll clear it with your mom.”

Kayla threw her arms around Charlotte, her tears becoming sobs. Charlotte hugged her back, letting the girl hold on as long as she needed to, stroking her hair and saying nothing at all.

Words didn’t really help. She’d learned that after the car accident all those years ago and again after the attack. Actions were important.

Actions like sleeping on a person’s doorstep to keep them safe.

She gave Tino a helpless look. He returned it, fetching a box of tissues from the coffee table. He pushed a handful of tissues into Kayla’s hand, and the girl wiped at her face before stepping away.

“I’m sorry,” Kayla said, embarrassed.

“You hush right now,” Charlotte said. “You’re fine, and any time you want to cry, you come on up. Okay?”

“Okay,” Kayla sniffled. “I’ll see you later. Nice to meet you, Tino.”

“Same,” Tino said and walked her to the door. “Are you going to be safe going to school?”

“Yes. My cousin is waiting for me in the lobby. He drove my mom to the store this morning and he’ll take me to school. I have to go or I’ll make him late.”

Tino closed the door, his expression hard to read.

“Tino?” Charlotte prompted.

“Were you a customer of all the places that the gunman hit?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because I don’t like coincidences. How do you pay when you go to these places?”

“Cash.” Because a credit card left a paper trail, and she was terrified to let that happen again. “Why?”

“Did any of the places have your address?”

“Both the pizza and the dry-cleaning place do because they deliver. Tino, you’re scaring me.”

There was an intensity to his gaze that had her shivering, and not in a good way.

“You’re a common denominator, Charlotte. I don’t like that. I’m going to let Nick Lawrence know. It might be nothing, but I want someone checking into it.”

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