Page 58 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

He nodded again, but this time a whisper of a smile lifted his mouth.

Sadie plopped onto the floor next to him. Davey inched his little hand closer to Sadie’s until he nestled it inside her palm.

Tommy’s heart flooded with all kinds of emotions he’d never experienced before. He loved being around his niece and nephew, and he got a huge kick out of Amelia. But seeing Sadie slide in and comfort a kid who’d been through hell made things turn to mush inside him he didn’t even know could be mushy.

Clara hurried back into the room, her arms hugged tightly around her middle. “His gun’s not in the safe.”

Sadie rose to her full height. “Do you know the model of the gun? Is it registered?”

The weapon Mitch had on his lap while Tommy stood defenseless in front of him flashed in his mind. Revolver. The same gun they’d found in the room with Curtis.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m not much help.” Clara dropped her gaze to the top of Davey’s head. “I’m worthless.”

Sadie pivoted, blocking Clara’s view of her son. “Look at me, Clara.” She waited for the other woman to meet her gaze before she continued. “You’re stronger than you know. You have two children who depend on you, and you will get through this. Do you understand me?”

Uncertainty danced in Clara’s eyes.

Sadie rested a reassuring hand on Clara’s arm. “Will you make that call?”

“Yes.”

“Good. There’s an entire community ready to help you. Just give them the chance.”

Clara brushed away tears dotting the corners of her eyes with a trembling hand and nodded. “Thank you.”

Tommy couldn’t tear his gaze off Sadie—not that he wanted to. Her stern reassurance to a woman she barely knew made his heart double in size. She was a warrior. Gentle yet strong. And if he had any doubt before this moment, any trace of uncertainty vanished. He was falling head over heels for Sadie Pennel.

22

Sadie sat at her desk with her chin propped on the heels of her hands. Her list of things to do lay in front of her, but she couldn’t stay focused on any of the tasks demanding her attention. Not when Clara Parson’s defeated eyes refused to stop haunting her. She’d do everything in her power to make sure Clara led a full, healthy life without her bastard husband by her side.

“What’s with the face?”

The smooth, deep voice sent a shiver down her spine, and she glanced up to the handsome smirk and deep dimples that now made her toes curl. “What’s wrong with my face?” She smiled, despite the turmoil churning in her gut.

Tommy took his now-usual spot on the side of her desk—perched on the corner with his long legs sprawled out before him. “You look like someone just ran over your puppy.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t have a puppy, but thanks for the visual.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Sorry.”

She dropped her arms, crossing them on the cool wood of the desk. “I hated seeing Clara so freaked out about her future.I barely know the woman, but I can’t push her out of my mind. I’ve met so many women like her over the years. No matter how much I try to give back, I know there will always be more women like her out there.”

Tommy picked up the piece of paper from her desk. “The infamous to-do list. I see you’ve added some things. Some of which have to do with Clara.”

Her eyes latched on to his large hands gripping the sides of the sheet. Flashbacks of what he could do with those hands slammed against her. Tingles of anticipation burst like fireworks.

“Sadie?”

She blinked herself back to the present. “I want to touch base with Laura. I’m not convinced Clara will reach out for help. Not when she’s spent years hiding in that nightmare of a house. She’ll need support, for her and the kids. Laura’s been in that situation. She may know the best way to reach Clara.”

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the lined paper. “I agree. Who is Jess Sproles?”

“Shawn’s college girlfriend. The one he dated before he started seeing Melissa. I sent her a message on Facebook—couldn’t locate a number yet. Hopefully she responds so I don’t have to keep wasting time trying to find it.”

“Look into Curtis’ confiscated computer, search for connections between Shawn, Curtis, and Mitch, speak with Judge Downs.” Tommy read from her list then glanced up. “What do you want to speak with her about?”

“Have you ever been inside her home? I thought maybe Shawn could have left some things in the house that could be of interest. Maybe she’d let us snoop around.”

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