CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEHailee
Hailee returned her mom’s tight hug. She didn’t know why she had called her parents, but it felt like the thing to do. “Mom, you remember Mia? Mikey’s sister?” Hailee ushered Mia into the house, fearful her friend might leave her here alone.
“Mia, dear, of course I do!” Rena Valentine pulled Mia into a hug. She released Mia only long enough to grab Hailee and pull both of them into a hug. “I’m so glad you girls are here.”
“Rena, let the girls in the damn door,” Mack Valentine called from the living room.
“Daddy!” Hailee pulled free from her mom and ran to her dad. “I’ve missed you guys.”
“Well maybe you should call or visit more often,” Mack teased with a hint of seriousness in his rugged voice. Mack was a tall and sturdy man who favored flannel shirts and b
