Three days later.

Cloudcrest City, Westbrook Old Town. A cozy guesthouse.

Out in the garden, where all kinds of lush green plants and bright flowers flourished, Lucky lay sprawled on the ground, tongue lolling. Sunlight warmed his face, and he squinted contentedly, utterly relaxed.

Little Nina, clutching a child's makeup kit in one hand and a tiny powder puff in the other, was busy giving Lucky a makeover with impressive seriousness for

someone her age.

A few feet away, little Mario sat quietly on a wooden bench, head bowed in concentration, twisting and turning his Rubik's Cube.

From the kitchen drifted the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.

James was busy preparing lunch.

Just then, Lorna pushed open the vintage wooden gate at the edge of the yard, glanced around the sun-dappled garden, and then closed the door behind her, sliding the latch into place.

The creak of the gate caught Mario's attention. He looked up.

Lorna walked over and ruffled his hair. "Still working on your Rubik's Cube?"

Mario's eyes sparkled as he looked up at her. "I can solve all six sides

had bought the Rubik's Cube for him, and

grinned. "If your dad knew how

"Ms. Riley, have you talked

Lorna replied, her tone light and cheerful. "He says business is going really well. Maybe he'll even make enough

up at that. "Really? Do you think he could be back before winter?" Lorna pressed

fooled. Ms. Riley was just trying

truth: his dad wasn't overseas on business. He'd become a star

disappointment on Mario's face, Lorna sighed softly. "You have to

down at the puzzle. "What about

froze for a

Mario was sharp-perhaps even more so because he'd never had a mother

expected him to

realized something

to worry him any further, Lorna said gently, "Your mom is away on a work trip. She might be gone for a while, but

with her.

okay."

in his chest, but there was nothing he could do. He'd already lost

to Mario's quiet sensitivity, Little Nina was blissfully

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