Free Winter of Redemption by Linda Goodnight Page B

kid was sharp. Had to be to find his way here in the dark. It would sure help if he could talk.
    â€œWhat do you say, Howard?” Sophie insisted with gentle steel. “Can we work this out?”
    The social worker shuffled through a briefcase. Kade’s fist tightened at his sides. A boy shouldn’t be at the mercy of a piece of paper.
    â€œChief Rainmaker and I have discussed the situation at length. I also spoke with the foster family. First, though, I’m duty-bound to interview the child.”
    â€œThe child has a name,” Kade said with more vehemence than he’d intended.
    Prichard gave him a reproving glance. “The chief and I will need to talk to Davey alone.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œMr. McKendrick, I’m not the enemy. We all have Davey’s best interest in mind. A man in law enforcement should understand the need for cooperation in these matters.”
    Sophie’s soft fingertips grazed his arm. “Kade, let’s go in the kitchen and have another cup of coffee.” To Davey, she said, “Davey, these men are only going to talk to you. They are not going to take you anywhere. Okay?”
    The kid looked doubtful. Kade bent to whisper in his ear. “I’ll tackle them if they try. Deal?”
    Davey hunched his narrow shoulders in a shy grin and nodded. After a few more words of assurance from both he and Sophie, Kade scooped Davey up in a football hold and planted him in a chair in front of the social worker. Rainmaker came around front and went to a knee beside the chair. Kade felt better knowing Rainmaker was in the room. Rainmaker and Sheba. With a wink, he chucked Davey under the chin before following Sophie into the kitchen.
    * * *
    Sophie held up the carafe. “Do you really want more of this? It smells like burned rubber.”
    She’d hoped her statement, though basically true, would lighten him up.
    â€œI’ll pass.” Kade went to the fridge for a glass of milk, his glare focused on the living room.
    â€œThey aren’t here to hurt him, Kade.” She mustered up her best soothe-the-beast voice, the one she used when fifth graders fought to a point of hysteria. Most timesSophie didn’t let anything make her anxious for long, but Davey could be an exception. He was so vulnerable, no doubt the reason Kade was wound up tighter than a double Slinky on steroids.
    â€œSorry to get intense on you.” He downed the milk and then plunked the glass in the sink with a frustrated sigh. “I’m a little edgy this morning.”
    Only this morning? Sophie stifled a snort. When was Kade not edgy? “Davey’s blessed to have you in his corner.”
    He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, shot a glance toward the quiet mutter of voices in the living room. “You, too.” He grinned then, a tiny thing, but a grin just the same. “We’re quite the pair of crusaders, aren’t we?”
    They were. He, intense and cynical. She, the eternal optimist. “We’re a good balance. And we both care about that little boy in there.”
    â€œSomeone needs to.”
    â€œAgreed. I have a plan. Want to hear it?”
    â€œThere’s a choice?”
    She made a face at him, even though she was pleased at the humor attempt. Maybe she’d lighten him up after all. “I think Howard will go for it.”
    Howard Prichard appeared in the doorway. “Go for what?”
    Davey scooted under the social worker’s arm and rushed to Kade. Sheba scooted in behind him, toenails slipping a little on the linoleum in her hurry to keep up.
    â€œDavey needs to be in school, but because it’s only three weeks until Christmas break and we aren’t sure how long it will take to find his family, I have a somewhat creative suggestion. That is, if you’re agreeable to Kade and Ida June being his temporary foster family. Along with Sheba, of course.”
    â€œIt’s all about the dog,”