Page 36 of Blessings in Disguise

Jackson joined them after the chief finished. He kissed Maisy on the cheek. “I want you to go home. Caleb can take you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m not leaving until I know Pathways is safe. Until you’re safe.”

“Caleb?” Jackson said in frustration.

“I’ve never had much luck in making Maisy do something she doesn’t want to do. Best I can offer is to stay with her until you’re done here.”

Caleb could see the worry in his eyes. “I guess.”

Maisy tugged at his hand. “Be careful, honey.”

“Always. For you.” He squeezed Caleb’s shoulder, then strode away.

“He’s in for a long day.”

“Yeah. Pathways is his baby.” She arched her back.

“Bench seats are bad on your back. Tell you what? Let’s wait until things are underway, then I’ll take you home.” When she started to object, he said, “Please, sweetheart. You have to do what’s best for the little one. And for Jackson. He’ll worry about you if you stay here.”

“All right. But not yet.”

* * *

After Caleb drove Maisy home, he visited with Freddie for a bit, then left them safe and sound. On the way to his place, thoughts of Freddie and his role in their lives gave him an idea. He wondered how long it had been simmering in his mind. So he turned around and headed back to Pathways. By now, the cops had cleared the administration building and Jackson had probably gone to his office.

When he walked inside, Jackson looked up. “Hey.” His eyes widened. “Maisy okay?”

“Yeah, she sent me on my way. I got her settled with Freddie and the dog.”

Jackson had lines around his mouth and eyes; Caleb had never seen the man so depleted. “You look like I should driveyouhome.”

“Nah. I’m planning to leave in a few minutes.”

Caleb said, “Want to debrief for a bit?”

Jackson scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m at a loss. I understand we’re controversial, but the community acceptedPathways a long time ago. Who hates us so much that they’d bomb us?”

“I know that feeling.”

“Hell, Caleb, I forgot for a bit that’s how you lost your church.”

He frowned. “Yeah. I hope there’s no connection to the church bombing, though. Unless somebody’s after me.”

“Don’t buy that trouble, buddy. That’s pretty far-fetched.”

Maisy had said the same thing.

“Maybe. In any case, I’m not buying it today. I came for something more important.”

“What it is?”

“It’s about Harlan.”

* * *

The buildings were cleared by suppertime and no more explosives were found. Gemma could barely put one foot in front of the other. She’d helped with the boys and their families, then they were sent home together. They’d return for graduation. All but Harlan. He’d been wheeled out of the med center while the police cleared it and now he was back inside. Gemma headed there.

She found him wide awake. His color was better and he seemed to have more energy.

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