ven herself. She used the wood she had chopped to board up the broken window and reinforce th

heir mother like this. She was a whirlwind, a force of nature. She

, but it was a secure shack

changing his IV, sponging the sweat from his forehead. He mumbled in his sleep, word

ened the cupboard and stared at the single can of beans sitting o

her head, but her ch

nds. She was a DEA agent. She could shoot, fight, and outsmart

0 wasn't enough to support

he nearest factory was thirty miles away, and she didn't have

lowly. Baking. The old Kaitlynn had been a decent baker. She made pies for the church socia

DEA. She had eaten in five-star restaurants in Paris, street stalls in Bangkok.

t any pies. Gourmet pies. Pies t

needed ingredients. Good ingredients. Butter, not shortenin

n. She hated to ask for more he

at. "I'm going to the clinic. You're

es flicking to the b

. The clinic was quiet when they arrived. Dr.

ng on the open door. "The boy i

good news. You have a

ably. "Doctor, I... I

me

hem at the county market this weekend. But I'm a little short on supplies. I was wondering if I could

studying her face. Then, a slow

"You won't be buyin

art sank. "I

, standing up, "you won't be

clinic, into a sprawling backyard.

etables, lush herbs, and fruit trees heavy with p

said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I just maintain it

ries are going crazy this year. And the straw

, a weary but kind look in his eyes. "I need help keeping it up. My back isn't what it used to be. You help me with the weed

him, overwhelmed.

lder. "Now go pick some fruit. I expect a t

shed and set to work. Paige ran between the rows, her face sme

lected crisp, green apples. She snipped sprigs of fresh rosemary and b

ms aching but her heart light. She had the ingredients.

ge of the bed, holding a damp cloth to the unconscious boy's forehe

able. But there was something soft in his eye

son said quietly. "I th

he future monster, was showing compassion.

e said. "Keep

hed the fruit, peeled the apples, mixed the dough. She moved with a

inch of rosemary into the apple filling, a handful of torn basil leaves int

and set the timer. Then she sa

credible. It was sweet, savory, and co