Page 68 of Those Two Words

“What a coincidence. Carrie is on her way over to pick Lottie up and take her to the fairground. Want to ride the Ferris wheel with me?” My tone is anything but subtle.

She tilts her head to the side and purses her rosy, pink lips. “I don’t think you have the best intentions, Patrick Sadler.”

“Yeah, I definitely don’t. I’m thinking about you in nothing but?—”

“Patrick, where’s Lottie?” Booth asks, looking around the small space.

“She’s here.” I turn to point to Lottie behind me but stop short when she isn’t spinning around where I last saw her. My head snaps up, and I squint around the crowd looking for her, but there are no purple ribbons in sight.

“Lottie?” I shout, cupping my hands around my mouth as my heart rate increases. She couldn’t have gotten far.

Jo and Booth join in the search, looking around the neighboring tables and behind the tent flaps.

“I looked away for a second.” My hands run through my hair in panic, and I go to bolt toward the fairground when Booth grabs me by the arm.

“You stay here in case she comes back. She won’t be far,” he says and squeezes my shoulder before jogging away.

“I’m sorry, Patrick,” Jo whispers behind me, but I don’t even know what she’s apologizing for.

My stomach plummets to the floor, and my chest tightens with worry. In almost five years, I’ve never lost sight of her, not even for a second.

I continue calling her name, and with each minute that passes, the nausea intensifies.

A tap on my shoulder pulls me from my spiraling thoughts, and I turn to find Carrie standing there.

Oh my god, I have to tell her I’ve lost Lottie.

“Lost something?” she says with a raised eyebrow and steps to the side to reveal a guilty-looking Lottie, purple ribbons and all.

“Lottie!” I cry out, dropping to my knees and hauling her into me. I crane my neck and peer up at Carrie. “I’m so sorry. I looked away for a second. I don’t know what happened.”

“I found her a few tables over when I was walking to meet you guys. She feels bad for wandering off, don’t you?” She strokes Lottie’s hair as she hides her face in my chest and clutches at my T-shirt.

Lottie is safe and Carrie doesn’t seem mad, but the last five minutes have aged me by twenty years.

“Pat, don’t beat yourself up. I almost picked up the wrong kid from daycare once. She’s fine and has learned her lesson. Cut yourself some slack,” she says. I shut my eyes and nod, but I still feel like the world’s worst dad.

I let out a whoosh of air in relief and I give Lottie one more squeeze, before prying her hands from my front.

“Lottie, you’re not in trouble.” She sniffles and keeps her head lowered. “I was scared I’d lost you. You have to make sure you have a grown-up who you know with you all the time, remember?”

She nods slowly, twisting her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry. I saw some puzzles over there.” She points behind her. “I know you like them.”

This is why I can’t stay mad at this kid. Her heart is so big.

“That’s so kind, my sweet girl.”

Carrie pats her head lovingly, and Lottie seems to cheer up at that. “Hey, why don’t we head over there before we go to the fairground? Maybe we can buy your dad one?”

The idea of rides has her perking up even more and she finally releases me.

“That sounds fun.” I give one of her pigtails a tug. “Give me a hug goodbye and be good for your mom, okay? I love you so much.”

“Love you, too, Daddy.” She gives me a hug before taking Carrie’s hand and waves goodbye.

Once I’m sure I’m not going to pass out from the panic, I turn back to the table. Booth is now talking to Jules and Simon, who must be here to switch shifts. He jerks his chin at me and mouths You good? to me, to which I nod. As I look around the tent, I can’t see Jo anywhere.

I make my way over to him and he seems to know what I’m about to ask.

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