Kathy's face was a mix of that pure joy of having something you really wanted, with a little bit of the pain that said it was all temporary. "They're ridiculous," she said. "I've got three this time, and kinda playing step-mom to a fourth."

At least in her own mind, what Tiger thought of her was up in the air.

"But Zeke could charm the birds off the tree if he wanted to, and Evie is so smart and is 11 going on 19, I swear to god, and Carys is so much bigger than she was the other times she visited and is just her own little person. It's killing me."

Seriously, her heart was breaking at the thought of sending them all home.