“I can carry Callia, Uncle River. I eat a lot. I’m strong.”

Callia agreed with her brother. “Carry. Carry.”

River walked toward the house while carrying Callia and holding Heath’s hand. He said, “I’m carrying you now, Lil’ Pie. I wanted to see you two after working all day outside.

“You’re my happy pills. I feel happy just from seeing you guys.”

Heath told River, “Callia and I can stay at your place for some time. Mom can go back on her own. She has to work.

“We can also ask Aunt Camryn to send Merry and the rest over. That way, we’ll have playmates and you won’t have to look after us.”

River smiled. “Are you and Lil’ Pie having so much fun that you don’t want to go home? If you and your brothers were to stay at my place, I won’t be able to focus on working.”

“I was kidding. We want to go home. We miss Dad, Nana, Grandpa, and Great-Nana.”

Callia copied her brother, saying, “Great-Nana, Great-Nana.”

She liked being with Grandma May.

River pretended to breathe a sigh of relief