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friend now, right?”
    Friend? After what he’d just agreed to do for her and Logan? Best friend was more like it.
    “Yes, Logan. He’s my friend now.”
    He gave a whoop of joy, accompanied by a series of hops and bounces. “I knew you’d like him if you gave him a chance. He’s really nice. And funny. W hen I’m with him I kind of forget about everything, about all the sad stuff. I…feel a little bad--”
    “ Oh, Logan.” Jenn stopped to squat before her little brother. Sometimes it shocked her how sensitive and intuitive her little brother could be at such a young age. She knew it was the grief that had forced him to grow up so quickly. A part of her burned, deep inside, every time she saw that side of him, the man that was emerging far too soon.
    It was her fault. All of it. Which was why she was fighting so hard to keep him in his home, the only one he’d ever known.
    She took his little hands in hers. “You’re just a kid. Kids should be happy. All the time. They should have fun, running and playing and laughing all day. If there was any way, I would make sure you never felt sad again. Never.”
    “But if I didn’t feel sad, would I know how good it is to feel happy?” he asked.
    She had no answer to his question.
    * * * * *
    The knock came at a little after ten o’clock. It was dark outside, frigid cold. A typical Michigan January night. The porch light flickered, illuminating the tiny snowflakes blowing around Aeron’s head, the glow making him look almost inhuman. Angelic.
    She opened the door, inviting him, his dog, and a breath-stealing gust of arctic wind inside. “Hi.” She stepped aside to push the door closed behind him.
    His arms were loaded with a huge laundry basket, heaped to the top with clothes. The little bug-eyed Chihuahua sat on top, giving her some slant-eyes. He said, “Sorry it took so long. I had a few things to take care of first.”
    “It’s okay.” Her gaze hopping back and forth from the basket to his face, she jerked her head toward the staircase. “I have a spare bedroom for you to use.”
    “Great.”
    The entire climb up the steps, she felt his gaze on her, warming her skin and making it tingle. At the top, she waved an arm, twisting to press her index finger to her lips. “ Logan’s sleeping. Your room is this way,” she whispered.
    He nodded.
    The dog made a little yap sound and leapt from the basket.
    “Cojack!” Aeron whisper-shouted.
    Cojack dove through the crack between Logan’s ajar door and the frame.
    “That’s Logan’s room.” She waved again, motioning him toward the spare bedroom. “I’ll get him in a second.”
    “Sorry. He’s very fond of your brother. I think Cojack likes Logan more than me.”
    “That’s fine. But, no offense, when this is done, Cojack must go back home with you.” She stepped into the spare room and flipped on the light.
    “Deal.” Aeron followed her in, glanced around the room then brushed past her to drop the basket onto the bed.
    “There’s only one bathroom up here. Sorry. We’re going to have to share.”
    “No problem.” He indicated the basket with a thumb over his shoulder. “I brought my own towels and toiletries.”
    “Thanks again for agreeing to do this. I…” She swallowed the little sob that had bubbled up from her belly. “Things have been so hard for us both, but especially for Logan. If the state took him away from me…I…I don’t know how he would deal with it.”
    Aeron’s smile was soft, gentle, utterly charming —and dangerous. “It’s okay. I’m glad to help.” He stepped forward once, twice, moving within reach. Jenn’s heart started hopping around in her chest like a caged rabbit. His hands lifted from his sides. He jerked around and started pulling clothes from the basket. “I…I’d better get unpacked, in case, you know.” His voice was chilly, clipped.
    It was such a quick change in mood, she stood stunned for a handful of seconds. “Sssure.” She backed out of