“No, sir. He never paid much attention to Emma, because she was just a girl. Don’t tell Mama. Please don’t tell her he hit me. She’d just feel bad.”
“I won’t.”
“I hate him. I’d kill him if I could.”
“I know how you feel.” When the boy shook his head, Devin drew him back, looked deep into his eyes. “I do know. I’m going to tell you something. I used to fight a lot.”
“I know.” Connor sniffled, but was profoundly grateful he’d controlled the tears. “People talk about it.”
“Yeah, I know they do. I used to like it, and I used to think there were lots of people I wanted to rip into. Sometimes I had reason for it, sometimes I didn’t. Anyway, I had to learn to take a step back. It’s important, that step. Now, you figure you owe your father some grief—”
“Don’t call him that,” Connor snapped out, then flushed darkly. “Sir.”
“All right. I figure you owe him some, too. But you’ve got to take that step back. Let the law handle it.”
“I’m not ever going to let him or anybody hurt her again.”
“I’m with you there.” Studying Connor’s determined face, he decided the boy deserved to know the situation. “I’m going to give it to you straight, okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your grandma got your mama real upset today.”
“She wants him to come back. It’s never going to happen. I won’t let it happen.”
“Your mama feels the same way, and that’s why she sent your grandma away. That was hard for her, real hard, Connor, but she did it.”
“You were helping her. I’m sorry I—”
“Don’t apologize,” Devin said quickly. “I mean it. I know Cassie thinks you should, but we know how things stand. You did exactly right, Connor. I’d have done the same.”
No compliment he’d ever received, no praise from a teacher, no high five from a teammate, had ever meant more. He had done what Sheriff MacKade would do.
“I’m glad you want to help her. I’ll do anything you want me to do.”
That kind of trust, Devin thought, was worth more than gold. “I need to tell you that they’ve given Joe work release.”
Connor’s face tightened up. “I know about it. Kids at school say things.”
“They giving you a rough time?”
He moved a shoulder. “Not as much as they used to.”
Learning to handle yourself, Devin thought with an astonishing sense of pride. “What I want is for you not to worry too much, but more, I want you to keep your eyes open. You’re smart, and you notice things. That’s why you write good stories.”
Connor wriggled with pleasure. “I like to write.”
“I know. And you know how to look at things, how to watch. So I know you’re going to watch out for your family. If you see something, hear something, even feel something that doesn’t sit right, I want you to come to me. I want your word on that.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you have to call me sir all the time? It makes me feel creaky.”
Connor flushed, and grinned. “I’m supposed to. It’s like a rule.”
“I know all about rules.” Devin decided they could deal with that little matter later. “A man would be lucky to have you for a son, Connor.”
“I don’t ever want to have a father again.”