The next morning, Jack came into the salon carrying two coffees. Abby noticed how Sonia greeted him with a big smile. Then his gaze fell on Ivy, black eye and all.
“What happened to your eye, kiddo?” he asked, concern washing over his face.
Ivy’s eyes rounded and she didn’t know what to say at first. Then, stammering, she finally choked out, “Fell over the dog.”
Jack laughed. “Yeah, that’s a good one, but I’m not buying it.”
“Her mother did it,” Abby told him.
“Do you want to press charges?” he asked, slipping into his official mode.
“Oh, no, no. I don’t want to do that. No, please.” Her face paled and her eyes grew bigger.
“Your mother cannot hit you. That’s assault.”
“It’s a sticky situation, Jack. I understand why she doesn’t want to. And we’re all trying to help her find a room
