“In an old storage shed behind a building site,” she whispered. “It keeps most of the rain out. I make sure he stays warm.”
A cold anger settled in Tom’s chest.
“Where’s your family?”
“My aunt left,” Abby said. “She said she was going to Houston for work. She sold the furniture. Locked the house. She hasn’t come back.”
Abandoned.
“You’re not going back there,” Tom said firmly. “You’re staying here.”
Abby’s eyes widened, as if staying was something she wasn’t allowed to accept.
“I’ll work for it—”
“You’ll help around the ranch,” Margaret said gently when she met her. “But you’ll also be a child.”
They took both children to Dr. Samuel Carter, the local physician. Lucas was underweight and behind on vaccinations. Abby showed exhaustion and mild malnutrition—but the baby was clean and cared for.
“She’s been acting as his mother,” Dr. Carter said quietly. “That’s obvious.”
Tom and Margaret contacted attorney James Whitaker to begin emergency guardianship paperwork.
But two weeks later, a polished sedan pulled up the dirt driveway. A sharply dressed couple stepped out.
“We’re family,” the man announced smoothly. “Christopher and Laura Turner. We’re here for the children.”