Page 11 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

“Davey’s loud,” Avery whined and curled onto her side.

“No, Davey’s awake and ready to get out of this bed. Just like me.” She tickled Avery’s sides until her shrill cries turned into bouts of laughter.

“Mama!” Avery squealed, gasping for breath and her grin growing from cheek to cheek. “No more.”

She scooped her daughter into a hug and kissed her forehead. “How about we head to the kitchen? I need some coffee.”

The kids scurried off the bed and she helped them dress for the day and brush their teeth before making herself presentable. The hour was still early, but if things around the shelter were the same as the last time she was here, Mrs. Collins would already be awake with hours of work behind her. And even if she wasn’t around, it was made clear early on that the people staying at the shelter should view it as their home during their stay.

As she ushered the kids into the hallway, her phone rang again.

“I’ll get it, Mama!” Davey ran back into the room and lunged across the bed for the phone, answering the call before she could tell him to leave it alone.

“You good for nothing, bitch!” Mitch’s hard voice screeched from the speaker.

Davey dropped the phone and ran to hide behind Clara’s legs.

Tears filled Avery’s wide eyes.

“You think you can run and hide? I will track your worthless ass down and make you pay for this. I promise you, you will regret crossing me.”

Terror paralyzed her, stealing her ability to move, to walk, to storm to the abandoned phone and shut off the screaming. Silence the anger and violence hurled at her and her children.

Footsteps padded down the hall, and Mrs. Collins rushed into the room and found the source of the yelling on the tousled bedding. She quickly ended the call. “Well, that’s not how any of us want to wake up, is it?”

Clara’s heart beat so hard against her breastbone, she swore it was about to burst through the skin. “Thank you,” she said, clearing the fear from her throat.

“You’re welcome, and I’m sorry I didn’t think of getting you a different phone last night. When you get downstairs, I’ll have one ready for you. You can do whatever you like with this one,” Mrs. Collins said, waving the phone in the air. “But I’d suggest keeping it off. No need to make it easy for certain people to reach you.”

Pasting on a smile, Clara tipped her chin. No matter what she did, Mitch would always find a way to get to her.

Mrs. Collins wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and Clara melted against her. She’d spent so many years having to be tough, locking up her emotions and true reactions to situations. Her life was spent tiptoeing around a minefield with no one to lean on. No one to support her.

Tears stung her eyes, the moisture leaking down her cheeks. She sniffed, not wanting the kids to see her upset.

“Why don’t you take a minute while I start breakfast? You and the kids are the only ones here right now. Elsie should arrive shortly, and I’m sure Jimmy will be with her. We’ll take care of things as long as you need. Maybe you can take a warm bath or snuggle up with a good book. Just enjoy your morning.”

Clara drew in a shuddering breath, wishing she could do exactly what Mrs. Collins suggested. But there wasn’t time. At least not yet. Wiping her eyes, she pulled out of Mrs. Collins’ motherly embrace. “Could you watch the children while I call Lulu. I’m supposed to work this afternoon. I’d like to see if she can spare me for a day or two while things calm down.”

“Absolutely. Okay.” Mrs. Collins clapped her hands together twice and grinned down at the still-scared kids. “Who wants to help me bake muffins?”

“Me!” Davey said, untangling himself from his mother’s legs.

Avery hung back, reaching up for Clara’s hand.

Clara crouched to eye level with her daughter. “You don’t have to help, honey. Do you want to stay with Mama?”

Avery nodded.

“Sounds good,” Mrs. Collins said. “We’ll see you downstairs when you’re ready.”

Davey skipped to Mrs. Collins side and held her hand all the way out the room.

“All right, little lady.” Clara anchored her fists on her hips. “What would you like to do while your brother helps make breakfast?”

Avery’s bottom lip puffed forward. Her gaze drifted toward the window, and she ran across the room to look outside. “Snow!”

Clara smiled at the small specks of snow floating in the morning sky. She opened the window and inhaled a deep breath of cool air. “Should we go outside and get a better look?”

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