PART 8

Mal stood next to Simon as he delivered River’s message to Daquan, and a small part of him broke inside as the man turned snidely and left without a fight. He loved Little River and Baby Serry like his own, and he hated that their family was starting out broken. He wished so much more for them. As soon as Daquan was out of sight, Simon turned on his heels and stalked out the back door. Mal followed, but he knew the other man needed to be alone for awhile. Simon went past the fire and the picnic table, and disappeared into the shadows at the edge of the creek. Mal could hear the angry thwack as Simon thrashed his cane against the marsh grass. The aura of perfection had lifted from the night, and Mal could see the cracks in everything.

Little Genny sat on the picnic table, leaning her head on her mother’s shoulder. He’d seen the pain in her surfacing on and off the whole night, but it had been mostly off until now. Mal went to the fire where most of the others were standing, tapped Cole on the shoulder, and nodded his head toward Genny. He couldn’t quite peg the look that came over Cole’s face, but he didn’t like it. Where Genny was carrying pain, Cole carried guilt as if he were the source of it. Cole took a deep breath and prepared dutifully to comfort his wife, but Mal took his arm and directed his son into the house for a heart-to-heart.

“Why is your wife crying?” Mal asked.

Cole ducked his head repentantly and Mal bristled, immediately protective of Genny.

“Cole?”

No response.

“Do you want me to start accusing you of unseemly things?”

“What? No,” Cole breathed indignantly, his eyes flashing angrily and welling with tears. “No. I am a good husband.”

Mal wasn’t getting anywhere. They were still too much in the open. He pulled Cole through the dining room and into the laundry room, and Mal closed the door. Cole went immediately to the window and gazed helplessly out at Genny.

“What did you do?” Mal asked.

“I would never hurt her!” Cole cried, though his defens