Page 66 of Security Breach

“Good or bad?” Ethan asked.

“It’s wonderful.” Emma fingered the yarn, many more skeins than she’d requested. So soft and delicate, and the colors were gorgeous. Socks were the perfect small, portable project. The rosewood needles Madison included were smooth enough for yarn to glide along the surface. She couldn’t wait to start on her first pair of socks.

Emma dug deeper into the bag and found a book of sock patterns she’d seen advertised and planned to order, but the Butcher and his partner broke into her last safe house before she followed through.

“What should I tell Madison?” Ethan asked.

“That I’m not giving anything back. I love it all. In fact, The Bare Ewe might become my go-to knitting store.”

“Excellent. My sister-in-law will be happy to hear that. The store has a website so you can order whatever you need. If Madison doesn’t have what you want, she’ll find it for you.”

“Madison seems very nice.”

“She is. Once your problem is resolved, you and David should visit Otter Creek. Madison would love to talk shop with you. Have you been a knitter long?”

“Since I was six. My grandmother taught me.” She smiled. “You should have seen my first project. My scarf had more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese. I made the scarf for her. Nana wore that scarf with pride until I begged her to stop.”

Ethan’s phone signaled an incoming call. He glanced at the name on his dashboard screen. “That’s my wife. Mind if I take the call?”

“Of course not.” She was curious about Ethan’s family.

He tapped the screen. “Hello, beautiful. You’re on speaker with Emma and Cal.”

“Hello, handsome.” A slight pause, then, “Cal Taylor?”

“I knew you loved me,” Cal said.

“If you know what’s good for your health, you won’t flirt with my wife, Taylor.” Ethan glared at the man in his rearview mirror.

The other woman laughed and said, “Hi, Emma. I’m Serena.”

“Hello.”

“What do you need, baby?” Ethan asked.

“Lucas wants to talk to you.”

“Yeah?” The policeman’s mouth curved into a smile. “Hold the phone for him.”

A moment later, a toddler babbled into the phone.

Ethan chuckled. “Hey, buddy. Is Mommy treating you right?”

More babble. The only word Emma recognized was something that sounded like Dada. Her eyes stung. Would she and David have a child one day who wanted to call and talk to his dad?

“Is that right?” Ethan turned left at Cal’s direction. “Be good. I’ll be home before bedtime.”

More garbled words.

“I love you, too, buddy. Let me talk to your mom.”

A moment later, Serena’s voice filled the SUV’s cabin again. “Thanks for letting us interrupt, love. He kept pointing at the phone and saying Dada. Nothing I did would satisfy him until he heard your voice.”

“I love hearing from you both. I’ll be home in a few hours.” After telling Serena he loved her, Ethan ended the call.

“You are a blessed man,” Emma said.

“Believe me, I know. Serena owns my heart. And Lucas?” Ethan grinned. “That boy has me wrapped around his little finger.”

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