“This is Tenny,” Mrs. Davis replied, scooping cookie dough onto a sheet pan along with another little girl with straight black hair and olive skin. One thing about the Children’s Home, no one saw color. There were children and adults of all races. If there was a child in need, they were welcome. “She hasn’t been with us long.”

Kira smiled, rocking her back and forth instinctively.

Suddenly, an African American boy walked into the kitchen and stopped when he saw Kira. “Who are you?”

Kira couldn’t help but smile. “I’m Kira Williams. Who are you?”

“Case. Case Johnson.” He held his hand out to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Kira smiled as she shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He reminded her of a little politician. Very charismatic. 

His eyebrows rose above his beautiful brown eyes. “Do you play Chess?”

Kira nodded, taken back by the question. He was young, probably not over eleven, and he was asking her if she played Chess. “As a matter of fact, I do. Do you?”

A broad smile spread across his lips, showing a small dimple in one cheek. “Yes, I do. Come on! Let’s play a game.”

“Well, right now I was going to help Mrs. Davis and the other ladies make pies.” She tried to hand Tenny to another lady, but she shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing across her shoulders, gripping Kira's shirt for dear life. 

“Come on, sugar.” A kind woman held out her arms for her, but Tenny shook her head vigorously back and forth, holding onto Kira for dear life.

Kira smiled. “That’s okay. I have her.” Then she looked over at Case. “Why don’t the three of us go play Chess. Tenny can watch.”

“We can teach her how to play, too!” Case said to Tenny, his eyes wide as he shook her hand.  

Kira laughed. “Well, I think she may be a little young yet—”

“No, she’s not,” Case corrected. “Mrs. Davis’s granddaughter Abby is six and knows how to play. And man! Is she good!”

Mrs. Davis chuckled. “Her father taught her well.” Then she smiled at Case and added, “And so did you! Every time she comes over, you and she play all the time. Thanks for teaching her.”

Case laughed. “I didn’t teach her. We play against each other. And man! She’s good!” He pulled Kira’s arm. “Come on. Let’s play.”

Evelyn smiled. “Go ahead. There’s more than enough hands in here to help.”

“Well, maybe just one game….” Kira rose from her seat, and Tenny clung to Kira’s shirt in a death grip. Kira knew that she had to speak with Evelyn about the case before she left, but there was no reason why she couldn’t have some fun with the kids while she was here.

Case led her into the living room where a small table and a Chess board and Chess pieces set on a wooden board beside the fireplace.

“This is a new addition,” Kira observed.

“What do you mean?” A crease formed between his eyes.

Kira smiled. “This wasn’t here when I lived here, but it’s a great idea.”

“I thought of it.” Case sat on the chair opposite the fireplace. “You can sit there. It’s warmer.” Case gestured to the chair beside the fireplace.

“That’s very thoughtful of you. Are you sure you don’t want to sit here?” 

Case shook his head, already busy setting up the Chess board. “No. You go ahead.” Then he nodded toward the little girl. “Please. Tenny might get cold.” Kira was taken back by his thoughtfulness. It was rare that a child his age thought so much of others.

Case cocked his head to the side studying her, as if something she had said just registered with him. “Wait. You used to live here?”

Kira nodded, watching as he continued to set everything up. “I did.”

“As a caregiver?” The crease returned between his eyes. It was clear that his mind was constantly working.

Kira shook her head. “No, I was one of the children staying here.”

Case nodded thoughtfully. “So, when did you get back in town?”

“Last night.” Kira adjusted the little girl on her lap, but she leaned against Kira’s chest with her thumb still lodged in her mouth.

Case nodded as he finished. “Are you going to stay, or are you just visiting?”

Kira smiled, studying him more than the board. “I’m just visiting right now.”

Case looked over the board and then said, “I gave you white, so you have the first move.”

Kira nodded, impressed that he had given her the first move and had not taken it himself. She made a move. “Thank you.”

Case studied the board for a moment, and then made a counter move. “What was it like when you grew up here?”

Kira shrugged. “Probably much the same as it is now. In fact, Mrs. Davis was here then, too, along with a nice lady named Mrs. Chaisen. Did you know her?”

He nodded. “Yes, I did. She was really nice.”

“Yes, she was,” Kira agreed, making another move.

Case moved one of his Chess pieces and waited. “So, you were an orphan, too?”

Kira nodded. “But even though I didn’t have a family of my own, the people here at the Children’s Home became my family.” She hadn’t realized it until just then. Now, she felt bad for having stayed away. 

Case nodded. “That’s the way I feel, too.” He shrugged and made another move. “Besides, if I did get adopted, I’d miss everyone here too much.”

Kira couldn’t help but admire this young man sitting across from her. While she was growing up, she had spent most of her time regretting not having a family. She never realized that she had a family all along. And it took her meeting Case for her to realize it.

Kira and Case spent the afternoon playing Chess, while Tenny watched, never making an attempt to get down and play. When the game was over, Kira rose from her seat and stretched, setting Tenny on her feet. To Kira’s surprise, Tenny let her.

“Come on, Tenny.” Case held his hand out to her. “Want to play?”

The little girl nodded, her blonde curls bobbing as a broad smile spread across her face.

“You two have fun. Call me if you need me,” Kira instructed. 

“I’ll be right back. Okay?” Case said to Tenny, who nodded, her eyes wide. Kira waited with her and Case was back a moment later with a wooden toy train and held it out to Tenny. “Wanna play?”

The little girl smiled and they both sat on the huge oval rug to play in front of the fireplace while Kira sat on the sofa, slipped off her shoes, and curled her feet under her, watching the children play. A few older boys came in once and asked Case if he wanted to play with them, but he shook his head, perfectly content to play with Tenny. 

As Kira watched, she noticed that the little girl seemed to relax with Case. Although their ages were farther apart, they reminded her of her and Xavier. Since coming to Christmas Cove, she wondered for the hundredth time where Xavier was and how he was doing, knowing that she would never know. 

***

Kira went back to the Children’s Home the next day for Thanksgiving. People had come from all over, bringing dishes and pies, reminding her of the happy times she had while growing up there. Before she left, she spoke with Evelyn privately about the specifics of the case. By the time Monday rolled around, she felt more than prepared. She pitied the person representing Ms. Cynthia Chaisen.

When she walked in the courtroom Monday morning, dressed in a red Armani dress suit and heels, her hair done impeccably, goddess locks that fell down over her shoulders, she nearly fell over. For the attorney representing Cynthia Chaisen… was none other than Xavier Tuttle.