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JUDITH HOPEWELL PULLED into the Masterson ranch and took a long look around. This was her first visit to this part of the county, though she had certainly heard of the four Masterson brothers. Every woman knew about the Masterson brothers. Gossip just saw to that far too easily.
She knew the sheriff from her work as one of the only three social workers assigned to the entire Masterson County area, though she normally handled cases in the northern part of the county.
He was a nice man, good at his job, and fair in his dealings with everyone.
This was the second time she’d met his brother, the doctor. He had a file with her office, but only in a good way. He and his three brothers had all been approved as foster parents for teenage boys in need. She just hoped what she was about to find worked out well for all of them.
They didn’t have a single available bed for an almost three-year-old girl anywhere within the county. Everyone in the town was either unable to take on another child, or they weren’t approved for an additional child or one that age. All she could hope for was that the Masterson family was willing, at least for the time being.
Levi Masterson was the foster parent on record, but his brothers had been approved, as well. Their wives hadn’t yet, but that could be remedied quickly, if needed. It was the best situation she could hope for. On paper, anyway.
What was happening inside that house remained to be seen. If Ivy wasn’t adjusting or wasn’t safe, then she would have to be moved. It wasn’t Jude’s first choice, but she’d made it before. Some foster homes were better equipped for different ages than others.
Sometimes all she did lately was make the difficult choices.
She wasn’t certain how much longer she was going to be able to do this job. Far too many times lately, it had been the kids who were the ones who ultimately lost.
A truck pulled in behind her. Jude turned toward it.
A big man handsome enough to make even her immune heart pound for a second stepped out of the driver’s side. A small redhead exited from the passenger side. The woman immediately went toward the backseat.
A blond-haired child clung to her when the woman stepped back.
Ivy.
Jude took a moment to study the little girl that she had known about for well over a year now. Had been waiting to help for most of that time.
It wasn’t the first time she’d met Ivy North. Nor did she suspect it would be the last time. Now, though, she hoped it would be a better future for the little one than she’d predicted before. Ivy’s parents hadn’t stepped over the line enough for immediate intervention. They’d had to go through other processes first.
Until this time.
Ivy was babbling to the woman carrying her—Jude vaguely recognized her as a nurse from the hospital that she’d seen a time or two, but never spoken to—and Jude could hear the giggles over the sound of the rain.
She’d never heard Ivy giggle like that.
The little girl had been with the Mastersons for three days now. Apparently, it was helping.
Some of the tension and worry Jude had felt about having the girl placed in a home she herself hadn’t vetted lessened.
She stepped off the porch toward the big man and held out her hand. “Dr. Masterson? I’m here for Ivy.”