Cael climbed down the ladder inside the former warehouse, the framing almost complete. The construction company he worked for had begun the restoration of a large warehouse near the river, dividing it into spacious condos. He was now working in one of them, framing the inner walls with two by fours. The electrician was coming tomorrow to work on the wiring, so he wanted to finish today. He needed to check the schedule because he thought the plumber was coming in as well. Good. That’ll give me a couple of days to get the windows in.

“Cael!” a shout rang out. Looking over, he saw Terrance, his boss, walking into the condo he was working on.

“What’s up?”

“Where you at?”

“Framing’s done. Electrician tomorrow and maybe the plumber too. I figure I’ll start on the windows.”

“I need you to be in unit seven tomorrow. Electrician’s done in there but Joe’s wife just called and the baby is coming early. I’ll have you finish his windows while the electrician and plumber are in this unit.”

“No problem,” he replied. Checking his watch, he saw it was almost quitting time. Packing up his tools he nodded a goodbye and headed down to where the others were loading their trucks and securing the warehouse for the evening.

Waving at his co-workers, he headed down the road, deciding to grab a drink at Grimm’s. With traffic, it took almost thirty minutes to make it across town before he finally pulled into the parking lot. Glad to see it not overly crowded, he climbed down from his truck and walked into the bar.

Roscoe, one of the bouncers, greeted him as he walked in and he waved to the two bartenders, Joe and Charlene, both entertaining the customers sitting at the long bar. Seeing Zander coming from the back hall, he lifted his chin in greeting. They met at one of the tables to the side and Zander signaled for another server to bring drinks.

“You get finished a little early?”

“Yeah. Boss cut us out about fifteen minutes early today since we had completed what needed to be done.” Looking around, he said, “I guess I got here before the others.”

“They’ll be here,” Zander replied, his eyes moving over the bar making sure everything was under control. Suddenly, the lines from his eyes deepened and his lips curved.

Without even looking he knew who must have entered. Turning slightly, he grinned at Rosalie as she made her way toward them. She kissed Zander as he jumped up to greet her, then settled into the chair next to him. They had recently gotten married in a quiet ceremony in Miss Ethel’s backyard. Even though they hadn’t been dating that long, Zander was not about to waste time on a long engagement and they married soon after she moved in with him.

“How’s your sister?” Rosalie asked, her bright smile warm and friendly.

“She’s good. Taking my niece back to the doctor today. Cindy hasn’t been feeling very good lately. I should be hearing from them soon.”

“I know children get sick often. I might work in a high school, but even the older kids are always sick.”

The sound of the door slamming open had them turning around, observing as Jaxon and Jayden headed their way, with Asher right behind. Just as they reached the table, Rafe and Eleanor walked in as well.

The group greeted each other and, when the server brought pitchers of beer for the table, Zeke showed up with a large platter of wings.

Cael took a big bite and nodded toward Zeke. “Man, these are good. Glad grumpy here let you start cooking.”

The group laughed and even Zander had to admit that turning the bar into a pub that served food had been a good idea. Zeke was one of Miss Ethel’s boys who had showed up when Cael was already a teenager, but he had fit in well with them all and now worked for Zander. Asher, a year younger than the twins, had come to Miss Ethel’s the year after Cael arrived. Other boys had come as well, but this group had stayed the tightest.

“How’s your house coming?” Rafe asked.

“Good,” he answered. “I’ve been working in the kitchen now and have almost finished. Ripped out the cabinets and counters. Got some leftover pieces from my work site that my boss is letting me have for next to nothing. I got the counters replaced and will get the new cabinets in soon.”

“You gonna resell when you’re finished?” Jaxon asked.

Shaking his head, he replied, “I don’t know. I really like this house.”

“It’s not big enough for a family, the way it is,” Eleanor pointed out. “I mean, I know you don’t need that now, but someday you might.”

“Yeah, definitely, for now, it’s just me,” he laughed. “But, I’ve started work on my plans to expand anyway. While I’ve been working on the kitchen, I’ve had a crew start on the extension in the back. They did the basic framing, wiring, plumbing, and insulation.” Grinning, he added, “As soon as I get the kitchen finished, I’ll call on y’all to help with the rest of the extension.”

The conversation flowed among the friends as the servers kept the food and drinks coming.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and, pulling it out, he saw he had a text from his sister. Need to talk but can’t talk now. Will call later.

His brow knit and Rosalie looked over, asking, “Is everything alright?”

“I guess so. My sister said she’ll call me later ‘cause she can’t talk at the moment.”

“Your niece is probably grumpy from her doctor visit.”

Nodding politely, he felt his phone vibrate again. This time it was a text from his brother-in-law. You’re needed…as soon as possible.

Jumping up, he said, “Sorry, I’ve got to go. Tom’s just texted and said that I’m needed. Makes me think that something’s happening and Kathy isn’t handling it very well.”

With hasty goodbyes and promises to let them know what was happening, he rushed out the door.

Sitting alone on a chair in Kathy and Tom’s living room, Cael’s leg bounced up and down at a rapid pace. He waited anxiously while the couple was upstairs putting Cindy to bed. By the time he had fought through the traffic to get to their house, they were with her and he did not want to interrupt the nighttime routine. After a few more minutes of nervous twitching, they walked down the stairs, their arms around each other.

One look at his sister’s face and he knew something was wrong. Swallowing in an attempt to not choke on his fear, he remained quiet as they sat on the sofa, their hands clasped together.

Kathy took a deep breath before speaking. “Cindy’s doctor found an enlarged lymph node at her last regular appointment. She’s been feeling tired lately and has had a bit of a weight loss, which in seven-year-olds is unusual.” She sighed and Tom tightened his hold on her. “He ordered blood work and today told us that he wants her to have a needle biopsy, later this week, of the enlarged lymph node on her neck. He can’t make a diagnosis until that’s done, but he has let us know that he’s checking to see if she has Lymphoma.”

He sat perfectly still during her recitation, his focus centered on her. As her eyes lifted to his, his narrowed in confusion. “Okay,” he said slowly. “What is that exactly?”

“It’s a type of cancer,” Tom said, looking from him to Kathy as she inhaled a shuddering breath.

Though still as a statue on the outside, Cael’s heart began beating so hard he was surprised it managed to stay in his chest. Kathy appeared to be hanging on by a thread and Tom did not appear to be much better. Calm…stay calm. “I’m sure he’s just preparing you for the worst…” his voice trailed off, his heart not feeling his words.

Standing quickly, he moved to the sofa and dropped to his knees, placing his hands over both of theirs. “Whatever you need…honest to God, whatever…I’m here for you and for her.”

Kathy fell into his arms, her tears finally falling and he wrapped her tightly in his embrace. Looking over her head at Tom, his brother-in-law’s tears undid him and he felt a slash of fear stabbing through him.

After several minutes, Kathy leaned back, wiping her face, a wobbly smile curving her lips. “I’m glad you’re here, Cael.”

“Me too, sis. Can I go up and just peek at her?” Gaining their nods, he rose and quietly tip-toed up the stairs. He was a large man, but his years in the Army had taught him how to move stealthily. His hand stilled on her door, partially opened since she was afraid of the dark, before he pushed it fully open, allowing the hall light to fall across the bed, illuminating Cindy.

Stepping toward her, his heart stumbled again. Her small frame was tucked underneath her bedspread with its Disney Tangled motif. Smiling, he had lost count of how many times he had sat and watched the movie with her. Bending over, he stared at her pale complexion, her face soft in slumber and watched as her breath came slow and even. Her hair flowed over the pillow and he reached out to touch the tresses. Cindy had his hair and knew it came from his father. The reddish-blonde strands were soft to his calloused fingertips.

Lymphoma. Cancer. Oh, Jesus, help us. He blinked away the tears that stung the backs of his eyes. Bending further, he placed a kiss on her cheek before moving back to the door. With a final goodbye whispered into the night, he walked back downstairs.