Page 12 of Naughty by Nature

Sheridan moved to pull the classroom door closed, then returned to lean against the doorjamb.

Cheyenne knew she needed to explain what was going on, because she could see the anxiety in her girls’ eyes, but she had no idea where to even start.

“Can we see that picture again, Sheriff?”

Reaching into his pocket, Sheridan removed his phone, paging through a few screens. When he found what he wanted, he handed it to her.

Cheyenne knew it was psychological, but she didn’t even want to be this close to her ex. Forcing her hand to move, to grip the phone, she took a breath. “Have you girls seen this man recently?”

She turned the phone to them. All three girls leaned in. Carolyn’s eyes flipped up to hers in alarm. “Is that…”

“That’s the man from the library,” Grace confirmed.

Cheyenne thought she was going to be sick. “Are you sure, baby?”

She nodded her head three times. “Yup. He was right outside the doors the other day, when I was helping Ms. Katie. I remember because I wanted to get closer to see his tattoos but he turned around and walked away. He must have realized it was a library and he didn’t look like a book person.”

Sheridan stepped forward. “Are you very super sure, Grace? It’s important.”

She nodded again, crossing her arms over her small chest. “I’m sure. Do you know him, Mama?”

When Cheyenne didn’t say anything, Carolyn leaned forward. “That’s our dad, twit.”

---