Page 120 of Finders Keepers

I take a bite of my own breakfast, the sweet warmth of cinnamon and vanilla flooding my mouth. For the first time in years, I feel something that might be hope stirring in my chest.

I force myself to focus on Sophie’s morning with Gavin as we eat, but my mind keeps drifting.

“And then I helped crack an egg open.” Sophie waves her fork, a piece of syrup-soaked French toast dangling precariously.

“Careful with your food, baby.” I reach over to steady her hand.

The memory hits me like a physical blow.

Sophie, barely eighteen months old, giggling as she smeared pureed carrots across the highchair tray. The orange paste dripping onto our kitchen floor that I’d just mopped. Matt’s thunderous footsteps, his face contorting with rage over something so innocent.

“What the hell, Bailey? Can’t you control her for five minutes?”

His voice had echoed through our house, making Sophie’s little face crumple in confusion before she burst into tears. I remember how my hands trembled as I cleaned up the mess, how I’d whispered soothing words to my terrified baby while avoiding Matt’s glare. A moment when I should have been stronger, should have stood up for us both.

Where is he? There’s been no new calls or texts in days. Would he really give up that easy and go back to Oklahoma?

“Mommy, you’re not listening!” Sophie’s voice cuts through my spiral.

I blink, forcing myself back to the present. “I’m sorry, sweetie. What were you saying?”

“I was telling you about a Princess and how pretty her castle is!” She holds up her hands, fingers spread wide. “It’s this big and all sparkly!”

“That does sound pretty.” I make myself take another bite, even though my appetite has disappeared.

My eyes drift down the hallway to where my phone is, still in the bedroom. Maybe I should call Deputy Martinez, just to check…

“Hey.” Gavin’s voice is soft as he reaches across the table, his hand briefly covering mine.

I meet his eyes, steady and warm, and take a deep breath.

Gavin stands, gathering our empty plates. “You two want to go get ready for the next surprise? Make sure to dress warm.”

“Warm?” I raise an eyebrow. “In this heat?”

“Trust me.” He grins, beginning to rinse the syrup plates. “We need to pick up Ms. Lucy first, then we’ll be heading out.”

“But—”

“It’s your birthday, Mommy. We have to do birthday things!” Sophie begins pulling my hand.

I shake my head, but I’m smiling. “I don’t really need—”

“We have to get ready.” She says, still pulling my hand.

“The dishes—”

“I’ve got them.” Gavin says as he begins loading the dishwasher. “You two go get changed. We’re leave in about thirty minutes!”

Sophie practically drags me down the hall, Nugget trotting behind us. Her excitement is contagious, and I feel my anxiety loosening its grip just a bit.

I stare at the ice rink stretching before me, my heart hammering against my ribs. The Galleria mall bustles with activity around us, and each unfamiliar face sends a jolt of panic through my system. The echoing laughter and conversations from shoppers bounce off the high glass ceiling, making me feel even more exposed. My eyes dart from person to person, searching for that one face I never want to see again.

He could be here. He could be watching right now. Waiting.

“You okay?” Gavin’s voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts, his warm presence at my side acting as an anchor.

I wrap my arms tighter around myself, grateful for the thick cream-colored sweater he’d insisted I bring. The soft material helps fight off both the chill and my anxiety. “There’s just… a lot of people.”

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