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Paxton chewed his lip, then looked at Mac. “We could leave when Mrs. Stone isn’t looking. Maybe they wouldn’t find us this time,” Paxton said and looked to Tracker for his okay.

I would have to watch these two. At least until they felt comfortable in our home.

“I’m ready, Mr. and Mrs. Cortez. Just need your signature on these copies,” Mrs. Stone said and turned the paperwork around on her desk and set a pen on top.

Mac and I stood and walked to the desk. Mac signed, and then I did. We were officially the foster parents contracted to Tracker and Paxton.

“If you’re coming with us, let’s hit the road. We have a few hours to drive to get to the house,” I said and looked at both boys.

“I baked cookies yesterday for you. And when we get to the house, you’ll meet some of our friends. There are even a few kids and several more on the way. Everyone’s waiting to meet you guys,” Mac said.

It taken a few seconds for the two boys to figure out what was going on. Tracker was the first to catch on.

“For real? We are staying with the two of you?” Tracker stood.

“Yes, you are. Mr. and Mrs. Cortez are officially your new foster parents. I’ll come once a month for a home visit,” she said to the boys, then turned to me and Mac. “I’ll let you know ahead of time, so you both have ample time to arrange to be off.” She then turned back to the boys. “It took some time, but I did my best to get you together. Congratulations, boys. Because I think you’re going to enjoy this home and maybe find that it had been worth the little inconvenience.”

I was proud of Mac, she held back as long as she could. “Can I have a hug, Paxton. I’m so happy we get to be a part of watching you grow up.”

Paxton latched on to Mac when she opened her arms. He cried along with her. When I looked over at Tracker, he stood watching, his expression one of longing, but he stayed in place.

“Hope you’re ready. She’s gonna want to hug you, too,” I said to Tracker, and he sighed.

“I guess I could let her if she needs to.”

Mac released Paxton and turned to Tracker. “You might as well get used to it. I’m going to do it a lot, so fair warning.”

Tracker looked at her and slowly stepped toward her. When he finally was close enough, Mac stepped in and closed the distance. She wrapped her arms around him until he finally moved his arms and hugged her back.

“You and she have done a good thing. You both are going to be good for the boys,” Mrs. Stone said in a low voice beside me.

“It’s all Mac. She’s going to be the best thing that has happened for the three of us,” I said as I watched Tracker when he and Mac broke apart, he turned his head and wiped his eyes.

Mrs. Stone replied, “Funny, on the phone the other day, Mac said a similar thing about you.”

The first part of thedrive back to Shades Valley had been quiet. Tracker and Paxton had never been off the reservation, so they’d spent the time with their noses smashed to the windows, taking in everything around.

We stopped and ate, and when we sat and it came time to order, the two boys looked at one another.

“Whatever you want,” I said and was glad to see them relax. It made me wonder what went on in the other foster homes or with their mother. It didn’t really matter because they’d never have to worry about having enough to eat. Or even where they were going to sleep from one week to the next.

The way Mac had already started to take the boys under her wing, I knew we’d have the adoption talk soon. And I was good with that. It was odd, they already felt like mine.

We pulled off the main road and reached the gate onto the compound. I let the window down and gave the prospect a chin lift and drove through.

“That’s where we’re going to live?” Paxton asked and pointed.

I chuckled. “No, that’s the clubhouse. It’s used for meetings, gatherings, things like that.”

“Oh.”

“All this land belongs to your motorcycle club?” Tracker asked.

“Yes.”

“Cool. Are Paxton and I sharing a room?”

“No, you each have your own room with a shared bathroom between them,” Mac answered.

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