Page 57 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

He lay there, listening to the sound of her breathing slow until he was sure she’d finally fallen asleep. Her words played on repeat in his mind. If she could learn to let go of the guilt she’d wrapped around her like a shield, then he could try to do the same regarding the part he’d played in Vanessa’s death. Especially if he had Sadie by his side.

Tommy buriedhis hands deep in the pockets of his coat. Every inch of him wanted to be all over Sadie, but morning had come and he’d had to leave before Amelia woke and Sadie shuttled Amelia back to the shelter for another day of ‘helping’ Mrs. Collins. He wanted to be as much a part of the little girl’s life as he did Sadie’s but catching him in her home first thing in the morning wasn’t the best way to ease her into having him around.

Besides, they had work to do. No matter how much he yearned to reach for Sadie, standing on Clara’s concrete stoop was not the place or time for physical contact. Even if he wanted to risk it, Sadie would slap him.

He smiled, despite the seriousness of what they were about to walk into. Last night was incredible. Energy fueled him and he was filled with excitement despite the lack of sleep. But he had to keep all those new feelings tucked away until he could get Sadie alone again. Not only had the sex been amazing, but he’d woken this morning feeling lighter than he had in years. Bearing his soul to her had been tough as hell, but it had lifted something he hadn’t even known he’d needed to let go of.

He stole a glance at her as she pressed the doorbell. Snowflakes settled onto her sleek ponytail, her mouth set in a firm line. He’d give anything to kiss her stupid and bring back the wicked grin that had played on her lips most of the night before.

“I hate this house,” Sadie said. “I hate what it represents.”

“Hopefully we won’t have to come back after today.”

The door opened a crack, and Clara’s red-rimmed eyes peered out at them. “Mitch isn’t here.” Gone was the frantic woman they’d seen a few nights ago, terrified of losing her children. Back was the timid, abused wife with meek words and nowhere to turn.

“Do you know where he is?” Tommy doubted she’d tell them even if she did know.

Clara shook her head. The bruise circling her eye had turned a nasty shade of purple with tinges of green and yellow mingling along the outside. “No, but he isn’t coming back.”

“Does he have any friends or family he would stay with? Anyone who’d let him crash on their couch?” Tommy couldn’t think of anyone Mitch hung around with. Most people couldn’t stand his explosive temper.

She lifted a shoulder. “He doesn’t have many friends. His parents still live in town. They don’t speak to each other much, but if he needed a place to stay, they’d probably let him.”

He didn’t want to alarm Clara even more by letting her know Mitch’s parents had already been questioned and had no idea where their son was.

“Do you know where he was yesterday after he got out of jail? It’s very important we find him. We need to make sure he won’t hurt anyone else.” Sadie kept her voice calm and steady.

“He left. He’s not coming back.” Tears filled Clara’s eyes. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. How can I raise these kids on my own? I can’t do anything on my own.”

Fear radiated from her and made his pulse race. He hadn’t known Clara when she was younger, but he’d guess all her self-doubt came from years spent under Mitch’s thumb.

“You can do anything you want, Clara. I promise,” Sadie said. “There are people who can help. The card I gave you the other night has all the information you need to contact the women who run Safe Haven Women’s Shelter in Pine Valley. Call them. Please. But I have to know. How are you so certain Mitch won’t be coming back?”

Clara blew out a long, defeated breath. “As soon as he got out of jail, he came here and packed a bag. Said he was done with me and didn’t want anything to do with the kids. Then he took off. I haven’t heard a word from him since.”

“What time was that?” Tommy asked, trying to create a timeline in his mind.

Clara nibbled her lips and darted around her gaze. “Umm, I’m not sure. I secured the bail money first thing in the morning. I had to pick him up about an hour or so after that. So the last time I saw him was probably around ten. In the morning. It couldn’t have been much later than that.”

Her jumbled rambling was hard to follow, but all he needed to hear was the time. And if she was right, that meant Mitch was unaccounted for during the fire at the courthouse and when Curtis was shot. “Did he take his gun with him?”

Clara crinkled her forehead. “I have no idea. I didn’t look.”

“It’s important we know that information,” Sadie said. “Your husband may be out on bail, but that doesn’t mean he’s free to do as he wishes. And if he’s armed, that’s something we should be aware of.”

“Oh. Okay.” She held the door open wider. “You can step inside and wait while I check.”

Tommy stepped in behind Sadie and let the door close. The television blared from the living room. Davey, the toddler, satwith wide eyes on the screen. If he didn’t know any better, he’d never guess this little boy had been terrified of his own father hurting him a few nights ago. But most scars ran deeper than the surface, and there was no telling when they’d appear and haunt this poor kid. Clara might not agree right now, but Mitch leaving was the best thing for her and her children.

The boy glanced over, and fear filled his eyes.

Tommy kept his features relaxed, even though his insides curdled.

Sadie crouched onto her heels in front of the child. “Hi, Davey. Do you remember me?”

He nodded.

“What are you watching? I love cartoons. Can I watch with you while we wait for your mom?”

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