Changes

What was supposed to have been the final surgery for Hayden -- one that would finally relieve him of most of the pain from the accident -- resulted in complications; ultimately he would have his left leg amputated below the knee.  His already bad emotional state only worsened afterwards: he has made no attempt at getting a prosthesis and has stopped going to therapy for the emotional trauma he faced.  Although he has shared some details of his father's last moments before death with his siblings, he has not shared all of them, mainly how he blames himself for what happened.

What was supposed to have been the final surgery for Hayden -- one that would finally relieve him of most of the pain from the accident -- resulted in complications; ultimately he would have his left leg amputated below the knee.  His already bad emotional state only worsened afterwards: he has made no attempt at getting a prosthesis and has stopped going to therapy for the emotional trauma he faced.  Although he has shared some details of his father's last moments before death with his siblings, he has not shared all of them, mainly how he blames himself for what happened.

Hunter has paid for Hayden to have a housekeeper in the ensuing years.  His first housekeeper, Leta, unexpectedly retired when her daughter (Paige) and grandson (Rylan) moved in with her after Paige's divorce.  Rylan has permanent disabilities resulting from his birth (and must use a wheelchair) and the family received a large settlement; his father (Glenn) did not want to raise a disabled son; he surrendered his parental rights, but then absconded with the settlement funds, forcing Paige and Rylan to move in with Leta.  Leta recommended Paige as her replacement, mainly so Paige could have medical insurance for Rylan.  Because of Rylan's special needs, and Paige not being able to afford special schooling, Leta and Paige are [[homeschooling]] Rylan, though it leaves him without any friends.  (He also has no male who could possibly be a "father figure": Paige's father died unexpectedly her last year of high school, and her brother has been in and out of jail, forcing her to cut off ties with him.)

Hunter has paid for Hayden to have a housekeeper in the ensuing years.  His first housekeeper, Leta, unexpectedly retired when her daughter (Paige) and grandson (Rylan) moved in with her.  Rylan has permanent disabilities resulting from his birth (and must use a wheelchair) and the family received a large settlement.  But his father (Glenn) did not want to raise a disabled son and sought a divorce; in the divorce he surrendered his parental rights, but then absconded with the settlement funds, forcing Paige and Rylan to move in with Leta.  Leta recommended Paige as her replacement, mainly so Paige could have medical insurance for Rylan.  Because of Rylan's special needs, and Paige not being able to afford assistance for Rylan, she and Leta are [[homeschooling]] Rylan, though it leaves him without any friends.  (He also has no male who could possibly be a "father figure": Paige's father died unexpectedly her last year of high school, and her brother has been in and out of jail, forcing her to cut off ties with him.)

One day Paige was forced to bring Rylan to work as Leta could not babysit him that day.  Hayden unexpectedly saw Rylan at the dinner table; instead of being upset he actually started bonding with him, and over the next couple of days the two watched movies together.  When Hayden learns of Glenn's actions, he secretly contacts his company's security firm, hoping that somehow he can recover all or some of the stolen funds.  Sensing that Rylan needs friends (especially friends who won't tease him for his disability), he invites him and Paige to swim at his apartment's indoor heated pool, mainly to meet his nieces (Rachel and Isla, who have known Hunter since after his injury and have been very kind to him).  Paige also meets the other siblings: Hunter (and his wife Carissa) and Heather (along with her fiancee Ash; as a follow-up to the prior book his business has grown, now having two full-time employees plus two trainees).  Paige and Rylan (and Leta) are invited to continue the traditions of the past two years: the company children's Christmas party, the children's Christmas program at church (with Rachel and Isla as a featured duet), Christmas Eve dinner and service, and the "Christmas pajama sleepover", which they accept to some degree (they prefer to have Rylan sleep in his own bed on Christmas Eve but agree to come over in the morning on Christmas Day, pajamas included).

One day Paige was forced to bring Rylan to work as Leta could not babysit him that day.  Hayden unexpectedly saw Rylan at the dinner table; instead of being upset he actually started bonding with him, and over the next couple of days the two watched movies together.  When Hayden learns of Glenn's actions, he secretly contacts his company's security firm, hoping that somehow he can recover all or some of the stolen funds.  Sensing that Rylan needs friends (especially friends who won't tease him for his disability), he invites him and Paige to swim at his apartment's indoor heated pool, mainly to meet his nieces (Rachel and Isla, who have known Hunter since after his injury and have been very kind to him).  Paige also meets the other siblings: Hunter (and his wife Carissa) and Heather (along with her fiancee Ash; as a follow-up to the prior book his business has grown, now having two full-time employees plus two trainees).  Paige and Rylan (and Leta) are invited to continue the traditions of the past two years: the company children's Christmas party, the children's Christmas program at church (with Rachel and Isla as a featured duet), Christmas Eve dinner and service, and the "Christmas pajama sleepover", which they accept to some degree (they prefer to have Rylan sleep in his own bed on Christmas Eve but agree to come over in the morning on Christmas Day, pajamas included).