The Promise of Home (Love Inspired) by Kathryn Springer Read Free Book Online Page A

that he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her proved it.
    “Hi, Mr. McGuire.” Logan slunk out of the woods a few seconds later, shoulders hunched as if he were unsure of his welcome. A coonskin cap, the kind sold at every souvenir store in the county, drooped over one bright blue eye.
    “It’s Dev, remember?”
    Logan shuffled closer, the faux raccoon tail swinging over one shoulder like a furry pendulum. “I smelled smoke, and I wanted to make sure you and Violet were okay.”
    The anxious look in the boy’s eyes reminded Dev that he’d recently witnessed a fire, one that hadn’t been contained in a circle of stones. Jenna had claimed that no one had been hurt, but Dev knew from experience that not all injuries were visible on the outside.
    Guilt tweaked his conscience. He’d been traveling a lot since the beginning of summer, but how could he have been ignorant of the fact there were two children living next door?
    Other than the day he’d met Jenna, he hadn’t heard a peep out of them. Not even Violet had alerted Dev to their presence.
    “I appreciate your concern,” he told Logan gently. “But it’s just a campfire. I usually cook my dinner out here in the evenings.”
    Violet lifted her nose to sniff the raccoon tail and Logan giggled. “She thinks it’s real.”
    “That’s a great hat.”
    “Kate found it when she was cleaning the closet.” Logan swept the cap off his head. Imitation fur sifted to the ground like needles on a dead spruce when he offered it to Dev to admire.
    “Kate Nichols?” It was the only Kate that Dev knew. From what he’d heard, the perky cafe owner was the poster girl for hometown pride, scouting out unsuspecting victims to serve on the various committees she organized. Because of that, Dev gave the woman a wide berth on his occasional trips into town.
    “She was our foster mom. Me an’ Tori lived with her until Miss Eversea called Aunt Jenna.” The matter-of-fact statement told Dev that foster parents and social workers weren’t uncommon in Logan’s world.
    But where did Jenna fit? That’s what he didn’t know.
    And if she has her way, you won’t get the chance to find out, he reminded himself.
    Dev handed the cap back to Logan. “Don’t let Violet get hold of it,” he warned. “I’m still missing a leather glove and one sheepskin slipper.”
    Logan plunked it back on his head. “Aunt Jenna wanted to throw it away.”
    “No way.” Dev pretended to be shocked.
    “She said it wasn’t sanitary, but Kate told her that every explorer should have a hat like this.”
    “I agree.” Dev matched his tone to the solemn look on Logan’s face.
    Violet rolled to her feet, bumping up against the boy in a blatant bid for attention. Logan complied and Dev saw the dog’s back foot begin to pedal.
    “Keep that up and you’ll have a friend for life.”
    Logan’s shoulders wilted and Dev mentally kicked himself. Jenna had said the children’s mother had only rented the cabin for the summer. And something in Jenna’s expression had told Dev that she hoped it wouldn’t be that long.
    “I heard Aunt Jenna tell Miss Eversea that she wants us to move in with her when Mom gets out of the hospital.” Logan’s voice dropped to a whisper, as if he were afraid someone might hear him. “I don’t want to leave again. I like it here.”
    “Maybe your mom will want to stay.”
    Dev had meant the words to be an encouragement, but Logan seemed to deflate even more. “I should probably go. Now that I know you’re okay and everything.”
    Violet nudged his hand, sensing the change in her friend’s mood. Logan sneaked one last, longing glance at the campfire before he trudged away.
    You’re a marshmallow, Dev. A marsh. Mallow.
    Jenna had made it clear she didn’t want her nephew to get attached to Violet, but at the moment Dev went with his gut. And his gut said the kid could use a friend.
    “Have you eaten supper yet?”
    Logan paused. Cast a quick, hopeful look