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"She has optimism," I say.

"her ambition is admirable,” Ashby puts in.

Lucy points at an open patch near the trees. "That's headquarters."

Ashby studies the area like she's handed him construction blueprints. "What are the dimensions of headquarters?"

Lucy blinks. "Big."

Ashby nods as if she's provided useful information. "Excellent. That narrows it down."

Twenty minutes later, we’re deep in construction.

I end up hauling the heavier pieces into place, while Ashby turns the project into an engineering challenge. Every scavenged branch suddenly has structural significance. Torin decorates the walls with pieces of polished driftwood and sketches a sign declaring the fort an independent kingdom.

Lucy supervises the entire operation from a fallen log. "Move that one."

I look over my shoulder.

She's pointing at a branch.

Five years old and directing three large bikers with all the aplomb of a CEO.

"You're enjoying this way too much," I tell her, hauling a large branch into place.

"I'm the boss," she says, grinning.

Torin immediately sketches her a title page.

Chief Executive Fort Officer.

Lucy approves.

By the time we're done, the fort actually looks quite impressive. It leans a little to the left, but so do most worthwhile projects.

Lucy crawls inside and settles against the back wall. "This is my house now. I’m staying here,” she announces.

Ashby checks his watch. "I should warn you that permanent river residency may interfere with kindergarten."

She considers that carefully. “Is that a problem?”

Torin laughs hard. “She has her schedule all worked out.”

I smile, shake my head, and survey the fort, the scattered rocks, and the kid currently negotiating her future living and educational arrangements.

A year ago, if somebody told me this would become my life, I would've assumed they'd hit their head.

Now it seems I spend afternoons building driftwood forts, arguing with a tiny executive manager, and making sure the people I care about get home safe.

Turns out that's a pretty good life.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Laurel

I spend the first ten minutes inside the police station fighting the urge to answer every question for Maggie.

This is why people don’t let me be in charge of emotionally sensitive situations. I come in with good intentions, a mental plan, and an extremely inconvenient desire to commit minor crimes in defense of the people I love.