Page 28 of Heart to Heart

“Who told you that?”

He shrugged and gave her a side-eye.

“There’s only one solution. Come on, you two, bring it in. But only if you want to. No pressure to hug, ever. We can high five it out instead if you want.” She opened her arms and waited, lighting up with a huge smile when they scooted into her hug. “Do I feel fake to you?” She pulled them close and kissed the tops of their heads. “Because you sure feel real to me. Listen, sharing the same blood is not what makes a family. Love does, and I love you guys, okay? Just the same as I love Dylan and Calla and Mark and Mara and Finn and Nick, and the future new babies from Violet and Lily, okay?”

“M’kay. I love you too,AuntHolly.” Maddie wrapped her arms around Holly’s waist and squeezed while sticking her tongue out at Mikey. “She’s real, Mikey. I told you so the other day.Duh.”

“I was just making sure. A guy can’t be too careful, you know? You can’t just love everyone, Maddie, you could get your feelings hurt.”

“I shouldn’t have missed so many Sunday dinners,” Holly told them. “Then you would know exactly how I feel. I’m sorry, you guys, I won’t stay away anymore. You’re a wise kid, Mikey. It’s good to be careful with your heart.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you and I know it’s wise. Being careful is important,” he said in a voice that sounded much too old for a kid his age. “I grew up too fast. I have therapy about it every week.”

“I had therapy too.” Holly murmured. “It’s good to talk about your troubles with people who can help you.”

I froze.Troubles?

“What did you have therapy about?” Dylan asked. “Grandma said you almost got hurt before you came home. Is that why?”

“Yes, that’s why. Uh, it’s kind of scary. I don’t know if I should tell you about it.”

“I know what happened.” Mark said. “A bad guy got into your tent when you were hiking, that’s what I heard my dad say when he was talking to Grandpa.” His face paled. “Oh no, they said I wasn’t supposed to ask you about it.”

“You’re gonna get in trouble now.” Mara’s eyes were huge.

“It’s okay, nobody is getting into trouble,” Holly soothed. “You didn’t ask me anything, did you?” Her voice was gentle as she reached out for Mark’s hand.

“No, but I talked about it, and I didn’t mean to. I don’t want you to be mad or sad or feel something bad. I’m sorry.”

I held my breath while I waited to hear her response.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We can talk about it, it’s okay. I was on a hike up the Pacific Crest Trail and I woke up with a strange man breaking into my tent. He wanted to hurt me, but I didn’t let him. So don’t worry, I didn’t get hurt and I’m okay. But it scared me pretty badly, so I came home right away. Luckily, I was close by.”

Had he hurt her, and she didn’t want to tell the kids?

I recalled the first time I saw her, the day she had arrived back to Sweetbriar. Not a mark on her, no cuts, no bruises.

What had she done?

“That would be so scary. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks, Maddie. I’d much rather wake up to a stray cat in my tent, or even a rabbit. One time I woke up with three snakes curled up on my feet. I think they must have been cold. Nowthatwas really scary. But I held still until they slithered away, and everything turned out okay.”

“Ew, I hate snakes!” The kid chorus ofboosfor snakes made me laugh out loud.

Holly heard me and turned around. “Hey, Liam. We’re just talking about some of the critters I’ve found in my tent over the years. Come on over and sit with us.”

Dylan piped in. “Liam is my uncle but he’s not my dad or mom’s brother. So you don’t have to worry, Mikey, see? Aunt Holly is right, she’s your aunt and Liam can be your uncle, just like he is to me.”

I cleared my throat as I sat down. “That’s right. The family you choose is just as important as the one you’re born into, sometimes even more.”

“I know.” Mikey patted my shoulder. “Dylan told us you’re just like Luke. No more parents left at all.”

“Are you like, an orphan or something?” Maddie asked me.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“We can be your family too. Just like Dylan,” she declared. “We have lots of new aunts and uncles now since our dad married Rose. She told us that love is all you need. She says it all the time.”

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