Chapter 4 - A Temporary Anchor
Clara Vance stared at Owen for a long moment, evaluating the seasoned officer. "Officer Kincaid... Owen. You know the protocols. You’re the responding officer. It’s highly irregular."
"I know the rules, Clara," Owen replied, his voice calm but unyielding. "But I also know this girl needs stability right now. My background check is as clean as it gets, my home is fully vetted by the department, and I have the space. Let me take her for the night. We can sort out the long-term details with the department tomorrow."
Clara looked at Juni, who was looking back and forth between the two adults, her small fingers wrapping tightly around the sleeve of Owen's uniform jacket. Clara sighed, a soft smile breaking through her professional demeanor. "I'll expedite the emergency home safety check and sign off on a temporary placement. But you’ll need to bring her back tomorrow morning so we can visit her mother together."
Two hours later, after ensuring Rowan was completely stable under the watchful eye of the nursing staff, Owen guided Juni out to his personal truck. The drive through the quiet streets of the town was silent. Juni stared out the window at the passing streetlights, her thumb tucked securely into her mouth.
When they arrived at Owen’s modest, single-story home on the outskirts of town, the crisp autumn air smelled of pine and fallen leaves. He opened the front door, turning on the warm entryway lamps. The house was clean, filled with sturdy wooden furniture, framed photos of his family, and the faint, comforting scent of cedar.
"It’s very big," Juni whispered, standing just inside the threshold.
"It’s just regular-sized, Juni, but it’s safe," Owen said, helping her take off her jacket. "Come on into the kitchen. Let’s make some hot chocolate before bed."
As the milk warmed on the stove, Juni sat at the wooden kitchen island, her feet dangling far above the floor. She watched Owen move with a practiced, gentle efficiency.
"Officer Owen?" she asked quietly.
"Just Owen out of uniform, kiddo."
"Is my mommy going to die?" The question was raw, delivered without tears, revealing the heavy burden of her thoughts.
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Owen set the mugs down and sat on the stool next to her. He didn't lie to her. Children like Juni knew when they were being handled with false promises. "Your mommy’s heart is very sick, Juni, and she is very, very sad about your dad. But the doctors are giving her the exact medicines she needs. She is not dying. She is resting so she can be strong enough to be your mommy again. It’s going to take a long time, but she is safe. Just like you are safe right now."
Juni looked into her mug, watching the marshmallows melt into the rich brown liquid. For the first time all day, the tight, defensive tension in her shoulders began to ease. That night, tucked into a spare bedroom with a patch-work quilt that smelled of clean laundry, Juni fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, knowing that an officer was awake just down the hall, keeping the darkness at bay.
