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“I care about Claire too, Mrs. Walsh.” Kyle placed both hands on Claire’s shoulders.
From where I was standing, I could see how his touch settled her. It was time for me to intervene.
“Kyle is all those things, Rachel.” I pushed away from the wall and moved toward them. “So is your daughter, but I think you know that.”
“You knew about them?” Rachel waved her hands wildly at Kyle and Claire, then glared at me. “And did nothing?”
I shrugged. “What would you have me do? Kyle’s a good guy.”
Kyle seemed surprised by my saying that. My niece looked relieved.
“And he and Claire are good for each other,” I added.
Rachel’s gaze narrowed. “How can you be so sure?”
“I can’t be a hundred percent sure.” I pursed my lips. “No one can. You don’t get high percentages in relationships, only in strong liquor.”
I chuckled at my own joke—a poor one, I knew—but I was trying to lighten the heavy mood. That was what the merged old-and-new me did.
I zeroed in on Rachel when she didn’t even crack a smile. “I’ve met Kyle, talked with him, seen him with Claire. I also see how Kyle is with his uncle. He’s dedicated to his family. Dedicated to your daughter.”
“Is what she said true?” Rachel asked, her gaze shifting to Kyle.
“Yes, Mrs. Walsh. Or at least I try to do the right thing whenever possible. Your daughter is worth every effort. She’s an amazing woman, so far above me that I need wings to reach her.”
Rachel’s expression lightened finally, and she nodded.
“Kyle is Collin and Miranda’s son,” I said softly, just in case Rachel didn’t make the connection given the last name.
Rachel gasped and swayed, but I quickly reached out and steadied her. I wasn’t coddling her. We were processing together. That was allowed.
Rachel stared at Kyle, her eyes huge. “Your parents both died when you were ten.”
“Yes, that’s correct.” Kyle nodded grimly.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Rachel’s eyes filled. “Your dad was a good guy, a great one before ...”
“Before the drugs,” Kyle said, filling in. “I know about all that. I lived through it.”
“Survived it, you mean,” I mumbled. “That had to be difficult.”
“Yeah. It was pretty bad.”
Rachel studied Kyle, seeming to be catching up. “And now you’re here, living in the back room with your uncle.”
“We fell on some tough times.”
I gave Rachel a pointed look. “They were living in the public housing complex north of the Ave, Rach.”
Rachel winced, recalling where we used to live. “That’s a horrible area.”
“It was my home for most of my childhood,” Kyle told her. “Until we lost even that.”
“You poor boy.” Rachel pulled in a breath, let it out, and straightened her shoulders. “What can we do to help you?”
“Addy already gave us a place to stay,” Kyle said.
I chimed in. “Bob’s a great employee. Room and board come with his job.”
