She swallowed, blinking back tears.
“Mama… she got sick. They took her to the hospital. They said I couldn’t stay because there’s no one else to sign for me. They wanted to take me to a shelter.”
Her voice cracked.
“But they wouldn’t let Rusty come. And he’s all I have.”
Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, steadying the ache in his chest.
No child should ever have to choose between warmth and the only love they had left.
He took off his coat and wrapped it around her small shoulders, lifting her gently from the snow. Rusty immediately pushed himself up, pressing nose to her side, staying close.
“Come on,” Lucas murmured. “Let’s get both of you warm.”
The girl’s hand slipped into his — cold, tiny, trembling. But when she felt Rusty walking beside her, she exhaled shakily, allowing herself to trust him.
