Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

She shrugs. “I moved him up here hoping he’d find some peace. It’s taken a while, but he’s trying.” She smiles at me. “I just do everything I can to keep him busy. Working here, baking, hiking.”

“He seems better.”

“That fight in the street that day? That was the first fight that actually meant anything, and as weird as it sounds, that’s progress.”

“Yeah, that does sound weird. Maybe don’t mention that to the judge.”

She laughs. “He’s changed since meeting you. All of them have.”

I scratch my nail across the table top

. “I doubt it’s really that big of a deal.”

“Do you know that this year was the first time Charlie went to the festival since moving here? Or any event in town?”

I shook my head.

“Usually he’s so glued to the fucking screen I can’t get him to do anything without a fight. But that’s changed. He’s much more engaged.” She looks me in the eye. “George is calmer. Less erratic, we haven’t been to the ER once. And Jake…I know what you’ve been doing for him and I appreciate it so much. He’s a smart kid. He just needs help.”

“He told you?”

She nods. “He’s been working on his reading at night. Using the study programs the school gave him. He just never had the confidence before to make it happen.”

Tears sting my eyes and I’m overwhelmed. “They’re helping me, too. I never had friends before.”

“These boys are loyal and true.”

“Like Sam and Dean.”

She laughs. “Yep, just like the Winchesters. They’ll give too much if they get the chance. I have to watch that, too.”

“I bet.”

Footsteps shuffle on the porch, alerting us to a customer. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help Dexter.”

“I will, sweetie.” She stands. “You just be there for him. Stick close. Don’t let him do anything to make the situation worse.”

“I won’t,” I reply, willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary.

For the next two weeks, I do everything I can to keep my promise to Sierra. Whatever the boys want to do, I’m game. We travel to Bodie to visit the ghost town, spending hours walking around the abandoned, hollow buildings. I watch as George climbs ridiculous outcroppings. As Charlie records the whole thing on his camera. As Jake spoils me with fresh cherries from roadside stands.

We head into Yosemite, spending afternoons on Mirror Lake. I’ve never seen such blue sky or clear water, and the boys indulge me as I collect smooth, round rocks that I rest on my windowsill at home.

We keep up with our work at home. Pie day comes, and Dexter lures me away from homework and obligations and into the kitchen, teaching me how to make the lattice crust. The boys pick up any slack at the lodge, helping Leelee with endless chores. We’re packed with reservations, which means more things get broken or need to be replaced or supplies must be dispersed. We form a cohesive unit, keeping busy. Happy. Focused.

Two things happen on the Wednesday before the hearing. One is that the large group from earlier this summer, the one with Jordan, returns for a few nights on their way back to Vegas. And I get a letter in the mail.

From the State of California.

“What is it?” Leelee asks from behind the counter.

“No idea,” I say, thinking it’s something from the Board of Education. My session is almost complete. When I tear off the end of the envelope and pull out the sheet inside, I frown. “It’s a subpoena for a hearing. Dexter’s hearing.”

“For the thing with the backpacker? I thought no charges were filed.”

“Dexter has a probation hearing. I’d asked to speak on his behalf. Maybe someone finally listened.”

“When is it?”