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“That’s a really good picture, baby girl. You’re quite talented.”

Happiness filled her even though she knew he’d say that if she’d drawn something utterly awful. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“I’m going to put it on the fridge next to your rules.”

She screwed up her nose at the reminder but carefully ripped out the piece of paper and handed it to him.

“Why don’t you sit on the sofa now,” he suggested.

She realized her hair was practically dry as she climbed onto the sofa. Kent returned quickly and searched through Netflix for Tangled. Then he moved to sit on the coffee table and pulled her foot up onto his lap.

“Daddy? What are you doing?”

“Painting your toes.”

“But daddies don’t paint toes.”

“This daddy does.”

She watched him for a moment, certain he was going to muck up and spread nail polish everywhere or only paint half her nail. But she was surprised to see him perfectly paint each individual nail.

“You’re really good at that.”

“Of course, I am. I’m the daddy of a little girl, aren’t I?”

“Have you painted a lot of nails before?” she asked, surprised.

“No, but I painted Eden’s after her accident when she was in the hospital for a long time.”

Eden had been partially paralyzed from the accident that killed both his parents. It was so sweet to think of him painting his younger sister’s nails.

He moved to her other foot and she turned her attention to Tangled. When he finished with her feet, he moved to her fingers, painting those as well. She started to yawn and he sat down next to her, arranging her so her head was on his lap. She tried to stay awake through to the end of the movie, but her eyelids just grew heavier and heavier until finally darkness swamped her.

Kent glanced up as the door opened. Only one person had a key besides himself so he knew who it was. When his brother stepped inside, he held a finger to his lips, gesturing down to Abby who was fast asleep, her head resting on his thigh.

“Well now, that’s a cute sight,” Clint said in a soft voice, sitting in an armchair next to the sofa. He glanced at the T.V. with a smirk. “Never saw you as a Tangled fan.”

Kent raised his middle finger at him. “You knew what it was straight away.”

“One of Charlie’s favorites. They’d probably like to watch it together.”

Kent nodded. It would be good for Abby to get to know Charlie and Ellie. Eden too. He gathered she didn’t really have friends. Poor darling. She’d been rather isolated because of her brother’s choices.

“So, a little birdie told me about some trouble you’ve been having. Want to explain why you didn’t tell me?”

He didn’t ask who the little birdie was. He’d long since ceased to question how Clint seemed to know everything that went on around Sanctuary and to anyone who lived here.

“Been a bit busy with everything going on.”

“I can see that.” Clint glanced down at Abby. “You moved quick.”

“I could hardly let her stay in that house. Besides the fact that it was trashed, she’s not safe there.”

Clint nodded. “Agreed. It’s the right choice. What are you planning to do once she’s safe?”

“Keep her.”

“Good. Now run through everything that’s happened. I want your take.”