Gabriel had been invited to the birthday dinner but had spent the previous evening in Portland after a delayed flight.

At dawn he drove directly from the airport to deliver a gift to his brother and breakfast to Piper.

He let himself in through the side door with a key Wyatt had forgotten he still possessed.

He stopped when he saw Piper asleep on the floor.

She was tucked tightly against a mound beneath a blanket.

“Piper?”

She woke instantly.

“Uncle Gabe.