After losing the court case, Sarah, with her daughter in tears, trudged toward the last train

“Not far, honey. We’ll get a ride soon,” Sarah replied, calling a cab.

An old pickup pulled up to the platform, and the driver, Uncle Bob, recognized Sarah instantly. “Hey, girl! Aunt Nancy’s got the house warmed up, waiting for you.” He helped load the suitcase, and Emily climbed into the cab, snuggling against her mom.

On the drive, Emily dozed off, and Sarah gazed out at the dark fields and sparse streetlights. She was returning to where she grew up, a small rural cabin left by her parents.

The old gate creaked as Sarah pushed it open. The yard met them with cold silence and the smell of damp firewood. Emily perked up, spotting smoke from the chimney. “It smells like pie!” she exclaimed, tugging her mom toward the porch.

Aunt Nancy flung open the door, hugged Sarah, and gasped when she saw Emily. “Oh, my girl, you’ve grown! Come here, let me hug you!” Emily ran to her, giggling.

Inside, it was warm, smelling of potatoes and milk. Emily was shrugging off her jacket when Sarah felt something tug at her coat. She looked down—a dirty, shivering boy clung to her bag.

Emily froze, staring at him. “Mom, who’s that?” she asked, stepping closer. “He’s cold! Is he lost?”

“Don’t send me away,” the boy whispered.

Emily turned to her mom. “We’re not sending him away, right? He’s like a little brother!” She knelt beside him and said, “I’m Emily. What’s your name?”

“Tyler,” he replied softly, looking at her with surprise.

Sarah crouched before the boy. “Are you alone? Where’s your mom?”

“I don’t have a mom,” he said, swallowing hard. “I was on a train. The lady said we were going on a trip, but she left to get lemonade and didn’t come back.”

Emily gasped. “Was her name Aunt Nancy?”

“No, Karen,” he shook his head…