Page 15 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

“Over on Chestnut. Second house on the left.”

He turned toward the right part of town and the midmorning sun streamed through the windshield. He flipped down his visor then rummaged for his aviator sunglasses in the center console.

Clara followed suit with her own visor, grabbing her eyewear from her purse. “Thanks, by the way. For what you said. Especially about the kids.”

“What did I say?” Frowning, he tried to recall his words.

She chuckled. “Must not have meant it if you don’t even remember.”

“I have the memory of a goldfish,” he said, tapping his fist on the side of his head. “Sometimes you just have to remind me.”

“You said they were good. That’s all I want. To raise good, happy kids who go on to do good, happy things in this world. The fact you see that when you hardly even know them means a lot. Of course, they were on their best behavior for the policeman.”

He grinned at the name Avery had given him. “It’s a perk of the uniform, I guess. But I have a feeling your two are always pretty well behaved.”

She grew quiet for a beat before she said, “They’ve learned it’s best to not ruffle feathers. I hope that doesn’t mean they’ll always choose to be quiet instead of speaking up—instead of taking a stand.”

The urge to share about his past sat heavy on his tongue but he swallowed it. He wanted to erase as much of her worries as he could, but this wasn’t the time to open up old wounds. Especially while on duty and focusing on her issues. Getting lost in old grief would do neither of them any good.

“You’re showing them how to do both,” he said instead. “Keep showing them love and a happy mom and you’ll all be just fine.”

She flashed him a genuine smile.

He turned into her driveway and the smile melted away. “You okay?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know.” She heaved out a long breath. “I’m scared to go inside for some reason. I mean, it’s not like I think Mitch is sitting in the living room waiting to ambush me, but there’s this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Like my whole world has shifted in the span of a day, and I’m not sure I can put it back in place.”

He parked the cruiser and faced her. “You can do anything you set your mind to. You’ve already been through the ringer. Just keep pushing forward. And as for what’s in that house, I’ve got you. No matter what’s waiting inside.”

She stared out the front window, brow pinched in determination. “Let’s get this over with.”

* * *

Heath’s wordsplayed on repeat in Clara’s mind as she marched up the gravel drive to the house. Dread slowed her steps and the sound of her feet crunching over stones rang in her ears.

Why was this so hard? She’d bet a month’s worth of wages Mitch wasn’t here. So why did it feel like she was walking to her executioner?

Because this place of security and love she’d worked so hard to create had been violated.

Bracing herself for the worst, she found her keys and pushed open the door. Confusion rooted her to the worn carpeted floor.

Heath waited behind her. “Everything okay?”

She took three steps inside, allowing him space to enter. “This isn’t what I expected. Everything appears to be exactly the way I left it.”

“Are you sure Mitch was here? Was the door locked?”

“I didn’t check to see,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I just put the key in and turned. It could have been unlocked. I wasn’t thinking. Didn’t realize it could have been an issue.”

“There’s no issue.” The words tumbled out of his mouth quickly, as if to stop her spiraling before she started. “But I need you to be one hundred percent sure Mitch broke in last night before we can file a complaint for the probation officer.”

She moved through the living room, noting subtle changes that screamed at her but no one else would notice. A shift in the energy was enough to convince her Mitch had been here, but the extra smooshed couch pillows and the slightly off-center picture frames told her more.

But where was the anger? The rage? The shattered glass and busted walls?

A shiver ran down her spine. “I don’t know how to handle this.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

---