“Watch your step,” Thomas said as Raven squeezed through the doorway.
Jack leaped off the couch and bounded over to Darren, sniffing at the green bean casserole. His tail wagged a mile per minute.
“Easy, boy,” Darren said, balancing the casserole with one arm and petting Jack with his free hand. “This is human food. Doggies don’t like green beans.”
The loud woof told everyone Jack disagreed.
“What’s the latest on the Raimi case?” Raven asked, setting the wine on the granite.
Thomas closed the door but left it unlocked, expecting Naomi to arrive with Scout any minute. LeVar and Chelsey would swing by after they picked up Serena.
“His lawyer is entering an insanity plea.”
“And Mrs. Leonard?”
“The doctor diagnosed her with a concussion and expects she’ll make a full recovery.” Thomas nudged Raven with his elbow. “Between you and me, Charisse Leonard pressed charges against her husband.”
“Spousal abuse?”
“You bet.”
“It’s about time.”
Leland Trivett wasn’t so lucky. The teenager survived the stabbing, but he’d have a long road to recovery. Though Leland had never entered a romantic relationship with Valerie, Gardner’s insane jealousy drove him to suspect something was going on between them. The killer used the key Leland lent him to slip into the house while Leland and his mother were away. He hid inside the closet and waited in the dark until Leland was alone.
Charges were also filed against Derek’s stepfather, after Cole Holland admitted to striking his stepson during their altercation.
“Where do you want the casserole?” Darren asked from the kitchen.
Thomas jogged to the stove and pulled the door open.
“Slide it inside. I’ve got the oven set at two-hundred to keep the food warm.” Thomas lifted his tea and sipped. “Lambert and Aguilar picked up Ed Leonard at work this afternoon. Now that the county has jurisdiction on the case, let’s hope Leonard does time, and his wife and daughter find peace.”
Breakers slammed the shoreline outside the window. By January, the ice would be thick enough to walk across. Thomas remembered playing hockey on the lake during his teenage years.
A knock on the door brought Thomas’s head around. The figure on the ramp was too large to be Naomi. He opened the door and found Sheriff Gray huddled against the cold with a pot of soup in his hands.
Thomas slapped him on the shoulder.
“I didn’t think you’d make it.”
“My calendar is permanently open these days, Thomas. Besides, I could smell the glazed ham from the other side of Wolf Lake.”
Gray shook hands with Darren and accepted a kiss on the cheek from Raven. Before the sheriff could sit, Jack brought him a squeaky toy and conned Gray into a tug of war. The house felt like the holidays by the time more guests arrived. Chelsey’s cheeks and nose were pink from the cold. LeVar played with Jack as Serena made a beeline for the fireplace to thaw out. Noticing Naomi pushing Scout up the ramp, Thomas rushed through the door and helped them over the threshold. Now that everyone had arrived, a smile formed inside his chest. It had been weeks since the weather was warm enough for outdoor barbecue parties. But the family remained committed to Saturday dinners together.
Laughter and joviality filled the downstairs. Except for Naomi, who stood apart from the others.
“Something is bothering you,” Thomas said, pulling her aside. “Talk to me.”
“We don’t need to discuss this now. This is a happy occasion. It can wait.”
“No, it can’t. You’re upset. Maybe I can help.”
Naomi glanced at her daughter. Scout sat in the kitchen and held court with Darren.
“My husband finally contacted me. Strike that. I didn’t hear from Glen, just his lawyer.” Naomi’s eyes glistened. “He wants a divorce.”
Thomas set a hand on her arm.
“I’m sorry, Naomi. You’ve been apart so long. Perhaps it’s for the best.”
Naomi shook her head.
“That’s not the problem. He’s filing for custody. Glen wants Scout.”
It took a moment for Thomas to digest the news. Glen and Naomi separated after the accident that left Scout paralyzed from the waist down. He couldn’t imagine any court granting Glen custody after he’d avoided his family and forced Naomi to raise Scout alone. But some legal decisions made no sense. Naomi had a right to be paranoid.
“Shepherd Systems has an excellent legal team. I’m certain they can steer you toward someone who specializes in family law.”
Naomi sniffled and looked away.
“I can’t lose my daughter. What is Glen thinking? He hasn’t outfitted his house for Scout’s wheelchair, and he won’t be around to help her on and off the bus. This is madness.”
“We’ll fight this together, Naomi. Scout isn’t going anywhere.”
“I heard my name,” Scout said, wheeling over to her mother. Scout lowered her brow when Naomi wiped her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing,” Naomi said, waving the problem away. “I’ll be right in. Okay, hon?”
Scout nodded without replying. She pushed herself back to the kitchen, but not before shooting a worried glance at her mother.
Thomas tilted his head to the side.
“The bathroom is at the top of the stairs, if you need a moment.”
“No, I’m okay now.”
“You sure?”
“Let’s go. I’m here to enjoy myself.”
Naomi returned to her old self once Serena and Raven drew her into a conversation. Darren leaned against the counter with a beer and laughed with LeVar and Gray. As his friends caught up, Thomas opened the oven and checked dinner. The custody battle kept pulling his attention away from the food. For months, he’d put off calling Glen, thinking it wasn’t his place. Now he wanted to know what was going on inside the man’s head. Why would he tear his daughter away from Naomi after shirking on his parental responsibilities?
The honey-chipotle glazed ham drew rave reviews. As usual, Serena and Naomi stole the show with a cinnamon-sprinkled pecan pie. Thomas was thoroughly stuffed as conversation and laughter revolved around the table, the cozy A-frame a respite from the premature winter. He waited until the discussion ebbed. Then he collected the plates and placed them on
