A soft, uncertain giggle slipped out of him, the first laugh I’d heard from him in four miserable days.

“Dad always told me I was an angel who never made one peep when I was a baby,” Austin grinned.

“Your dad has a very handy, very selective memory when it comes to taking care of babies, honey,” I teased gently.

His smile stayed for a second and then faded as the faraway sound of Hailey fussing floated up from downstairs.

“Mom, can I tell you a secret that might make you mad at me?” he asked in a tiny, unsure whisper.