A Family for Tyler

“What are you yelling for?” Addie stepped forward, seeing the judge sitting on the couch. “What happened? She was fine a minute ago.”

“You knew she was here?” Wyatt frowned at Tyler.

Addie frowned back. “Yeah. She’s the one who brought him home.”

Wyatt’s heart sank. There went that hope. “I carried her in.”

“What?” Addie simply stared back at him then hastily moved to the couch. “He carried you?”

“I...uh...fainted. Must be the heat. I’m fine now.”

Wyatt took a deep breath and turned his focus back to the boy, who wouldn’t meet his eyes. “You got something you want to tell us?”

“No.” Tyler turned toward the kitchen and climbed back up onto the chair he’d obviously been sitting in. He grabbed the half-full glass of milk and took a drink.

“Are you sure about that?”

Tyler didn’t say anything, and to keep from grabbing the kid, Wyatt slid over into Dad’s chair. “So where have you been?”

“I don’t know.” Tyler swung his legs and stared at the ground, reminding Wyatt of the day he’d first met the boy at that abandoned house. He needed to tread carefully here.

“I can answer that.”

Wyatt turned back to see the judge standing in the doorway. She was no longer pale and her eyes were a stormy brown. The vulnerable woman he’d glimpsed was gone and the no-nonsense judge was back. Addie was right behind her.

“Please, have a seat. I made coffee,” Addie said.

“I’d prefer something cooler, if you have it. Water would be great.”

“Of course.” As Addie got busy, the judge—Emily, he reminded himself—headed toward the table. He hastily pulled out a chair and noticed her hands still trembled as she sat.

“I’m sorry Prism scared you. I—I was focused on Tyler.” The soft perfume he’d noticed earlier mingled with the sweet scent of the fresh cookies. Temptation.

“Understandable.”