“Those are private family matters, Madison,” Evelyn said.

“You picked your uniform and your deployments seven years ago, so you have no standing in this house.”

I glanced over at Ethan.

He didn’t lift his head, but his knuckles had gone white where he was clutching his grandfather’s crest ring.

“Ethan,” I said.

“Come out to the back porch with me.”

Richard shifted his weight and stepped squarely into the gap between the counter and the porch door.

“He stays in here,” Richard said.