Charlotte insisted on standing guard outside my door while Sassafras, Liam and I talked over what happened and tried to make plans. Hard to do without having all the answers we needed. And really, my best plans usually involved just jumping in with all the fire power I could muster and hoping for the best.

Sassafras finally left us to go see Mom. We decided he was the best choice.

"Though I doubt she'll listen to me, either," he said. "But I'll try."

I felt a ...