After her husband’s funeral, the stepmother left her mute stepdaughter to die in the forest swamp… But a year later, a surprise awaited everyone…

«That’s the way it worked out. It’s fate.» «Fate.»

Grandma Karen agreed and unexpectedly brightened like a clear Sunday. «Did fate also make you rush to a friend’s aid on the first call?» «It seemed so.» Brian nodded.

«I was at training. I raised a helicopter, and here I am. They were surprised there.»

And he laughed so loudly that Mary flinched. «You will return and get grounded for insubordination.» His sarcastic companion quipped.

In response, Brian just raised an eyebrow and said, «Well, well. Where will they find a second specialist of my level?» «That’s how Rebecca fell for him with the first word,» Grandma Karen used. «Kevin got lucky.»

«He got lucky.» Brian agreed and glanced at the old woman. «Do you think I’ll get lucky someday?» «You’re at it again.»

Grandma Karen exclaimed. «Brian, I’m already old, and you keep proposing. You’re eight years younger than me.»

«You’re such a handsome man; you’ll find yourself a young one.» «Nah, Karen, I don’t need a young one.» Brian shook his gray head.

«I need a loved one.» «Oh, why are we starting this with a child present?» Grandma Karen gasped, and Mary, greatly surprised, saw how young her eyes shone. The door opened, and the pale Rebecca stepped toward them.

«Is he awake?» Grandma Karen asked, looking into her face. «Yes,» Rebecca replied with her lips barely moving. «He kicked me out,» and she covered her face with her hands.

«All right.» Karen stood up resolutely on the go, tossing to Brian, «Watch over the girls here, and I’ll go clear the stubborn guy’s head. I won’t tolerate him breaking lives, his and the girls’.»

Brian embraced the crying Rebecca, and Mary, after a thought, came up from behind, hugging her and leaning against her with her whole body, comforting the unhappy woman. «Come on, be quiet and listen.» A voice came from the house, and they all flinched.

«We didn’t bring you back from the other side for you to ruin lives for yourself and that girl.» They didn’t hear Kevin’s response, but something in the house clearly broke. Then there was only indistinct conversation, and half an hour later, a clearly satisfied Grandma Karen came out again.

«Rebecca, go into the house. You need to talk.» She ordered in a tone that broke no objections.

Rebecca, looking helplessly at Mary, went into the house. Grandma took her place and winked at the girl. «Don’t worry; they’ll work it out.»

«They have even more in common now than at the beginning. So, they’ll definitely reach an understanding.» While Brian, to calm his nerves and find something to do, chopped wood behind the house, the elderly woman and the girl sat close together, waiting for something.

Then Grandma nodded. «All right, we can go in.» She entered first and froze in the doorway, blocking the entrance.

Then she cleared her throat and remarked mischievously. «You’ll have plenty of time for cuddling. You have your whole life ahead of you.»

«But for now, a cup of tea would be just right.» The blushing Rebecca stepped away from Kevin, who was already lying on the bed, got busy setting the table. Nothing reminded them that he had recently been turned into an operating table.

Kevin lay quietly. He had a profoundly contemplative look, but his eyes were full of tenderness as he watched Rebecca. When she cautiously fed him tea, Mary noticed that Kevin’s hand was caressing Rebecca’s hand.

«First aid has been provided; now we need to go to the hospital,» Grandma Karen said in a tone that brooked no objections. «All right, I’m on it.» Brian exclaimed happily.

But she shook her head. «I think they can handle it there now, especially since we need to decide what to do with the girl.» «We’ve already decided.»

Kevin looked at Mary and smiled. «After all, you didn’t call me dad in the forest just for show, did you? You won’t abandon me when I’m helpless and injured, will you?» Mary shook her head and said with some difficulty, «No.»

Grandma Karen looked at Rebecca and grinned. «Well, Rebecca, what do you say? It seems we’ll have to use our official status for once. After all, you are our authorized representative for children’s rights, aren’t you?» Rebecca nodded and looked at Kevin with a slight challenge.

«Yes, I still am. And I know exactly how to deal with those who try to harm children.» «That settled, then,» Karen took the initiative.

Apparently, being in command was a familiar task for her. «Rebecca, we’ll get our wounded friend into the jeep; you’ll take the girl, and you’ll sort things out with the guardian. And if she doesn’t understand the language, we’ll step in with the boys.»

Brian chuckled, glancing sideways at the commanding lady. «I don’t think it will be necessary, but thanks for the offer,» Rebecca replied. She didn’t take her eyes off Kevin, holding Mary close.

«Once you’re ready, you’ll still need to go to the hospital.» Karen continued. «Brian, you can head back.»…