High Desert Hideaway. Jenna Night

glanced at his uncle. Sometimes Nate forgot he wasn’t the only one who was abandoned when his mom dove into the emotionally numbing abyss of alcohol and later, in a fatal decision, into drugs. Uncle Bud had lost his sister, too.

      “I didn’t know Lily,” Nate said, trying to lighten his tone. “Joseph Suh did.”

      “Oh. Well, Ellen’s glad to see you brought a girl home.”

      Nate laughed and shook his head. “This isn’t a date.” His smile faded. “I was hoping she’d just need a safe place to stay for one night. But I called the station this morning and I think we’re going to need to find her a place to stay for a little longer.” The news he’d gotten from Sheriff Wolfsinger when he’d called asking for an update was not good.

      “We’ve got plenty of room here. You know she’s welcome.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      Nate heard a meow. A few seconds later Hank wandered around the side of the house and stepped up onto the porch, shaking the dampness of melted frost from his front paws. The cat sat down and his rather large body compacted into the shape of a ball. He rolled slightly to one side.

      “Your cat’s getting too fat,” Bud said.

      “I’m not the one who’s been feeding him lately. I’ve been in Phoenix, remember?” Nate stood, picked up the cat and hefted him into the crook of his arm. He turned toward the front door to head back into the house. “Thanks for the haircut.”