Chapter 48: Anastasia

Luna runs across the grass, her blue coat flying open as she chases Leo toward the wooden climbing structure. Her knees lift high, screaming with laughter when Leo takes a sharp turn around the sandbox and slips behind the swings.

I stand by the wooden perimeter beam of the playground, watching her. My hands are tucked into my pockets, my shoulders dropping into relaxation.

Emmet walks up beside me. He has a red rubber playground ball held under his arm. He stops close enough that the sleeve of his flannel shirt rubs against the wool of my coat every time he shifts his weight. He watches Leo,...