Herman had been right-Mr. Walker couldn''t quite let Autumn go unchecked, so he''d sent someone to keep tabs on her.


    Autumn was still seething from her confrontation with Joseph. The anger clung to her all the way home, refusing to fade.


    Devin called and tried to set up a meeting, but Autumn knew better. She couldn''t risk it, not now—not with Mr. Walker already looking at her sideways. Meeting Devin in secret again would just add fuel to the fire.


    Sure enough, she''d barely finished lunch when Mr. Walker walked through the door. He hardly ever came home for lunch these days, not since he took the new job.


    Caught off guard, Autumn quicklydled him a bowl of soup. "You''re home early," she said, trying to keep it light.


    "Had some business nearby, figured I''d stop in," Mr. Walker replied, sipping his soup. He nced out at the driveway, then asked, casual as anything, "You go out this morning?"


    "Yeah," Autumn said honestly. "Went to see Joseph."


    "Still about that godparent thing?" Mr. Walker sighed. "Autumn, if Joseph won''t agree, maybe it''s time to let it drop."


    "Okay," she agreed, a little too quickly.


    Mr. Walker raised an eyebrow. He''d been ready to talk her down, but she''d given in without a fight. "You''re sure?"


    Autumn''s frustration slipped into her voice. "It''s not like I''m cut out to be Joseph''s godmother anyway. Guess I just don''t have that kind of luck."


    Clearly, she was still upset.


    Seeing this, Mr. Walker tried to cheer her up. “Let me guess—he got under your skin again?"


    He knew Joseph''s type all too well.


    umn, half joking, half ven ryed everything Joseph had said, finishing with an exasperated huff. "I''ve never met someone so full of himself. I''m his elder, but he acts like he owns the world. With manners like that, how can he raise a kid? Daria''s temper-well, she didn''t get it from nowhere."


    "Unbelievable," Mr. Walker agreed, backing her up. "No respect at all."


    He was annoyed himself—his wife''s feelings always came first.


    Trying to change the subject, Autumn said, "Anyway, enough about that. Didn''t you say Sam wasing to stay with us? When''s that happening?"


    Mr. Walker''s face lit up. "My cousin called—he''ll bring Sam next month, after his wife has the baby."


    "Alright." Autumn nodded, letting it go at that.


    Truth was, she still felt guilty. She wanted to help Devin get back on his feet, wanted to help clear Julie''s name, so she tried her best not to step on Mr. Walker''s toes.


    "Eat up," Mr. Walker said, piling more food onto her te. "I''ve got a dinner meeting tonight, so I''ll be homete."


    "Don''t drink too much," Autumn reminded him. "You''re not a twenty-year-old anymore."


    Her concern made him smile.


    After lunch, Mr. Walker left with his driver and told his staff to stop following Autumn. He didn''t want her to find out and get hurt.


    Autyran


    To make Autumn feel better-and to teach Joseph a lesson-Mr. Walker pulled some strings. He knew Joseph''spany was up for a city contract. In the end, he made sure the contract went to Joseph''spetitor.  s?novel


    When Joseph heard, he just shrugged. He''d seen iting. After crossing Mr. Walker and Autumn, he knew things were going to get tough But he didn''t back down. If he lost this project, he''d just move on to the next.


    Time rolled on.


    A month slipped by before anyone realized it.


    Rowan''s injuries healed up nicely-he was back to his old self.


    Monica stayed by Chase''s side at the hospital. After over a month of recovery, Chase was healing, too. Monica had even lined up a prosthetic leg for him; now they were just waiting for the doctor''s green light.


    The amputation hit Chase hard, and his mood swung wildly. But with his kids by his side, he weathered the worst of it. He was alive, and that was what mattered


    most.


    Eventually, Chase came to terms with everything. Surviving it all, he felt almost grateful for a second shot at life.


    During that month, Monica and Jason didn''t talk at all-they really were over this time.


    When Jason finally wrapped up his assignment and came home, Chase was nearly ready to be discharged.


    It was also time for Pattie''s bandages toe off.


    Herman put work aside. The whole Salstrom family gathered in the living room at Southridge Estates, all waiting anxiously for Pattie''s big moment.


    Pattie sat on the couch, James gently unwrapping her bandages. Anastasia and Herman hovered close, nerves stretched tight.


    Emmie and Nancy were on their best behavior, chubby hands pressed to their cheeks as they watched their big sister.


    Katelyn Feiman and Salma waited, barely breathing.


    As thestyer of gauze came off, Pattie clenched her fists with anxiety.


    Herman and Anastasia each took one of her hands, grounding her with their presence.


    Pattie managed a smile, and suddenly it all felt a little less scary.


    James smiled back. "Alright, Pattie," he said softly. "Let''s hear you try saying ''ah''


    for me, okay?"