Page 32 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

Luckily, he had the support of the sheriff’s department. The sheriff had granted his request for a few days off work. He needed all of his available deputies searching for Mitch, and this arrangement would put everyone more at ease regarding Clara’s safety.

When he reached the little, square stoop, Clara rested a hand on his shoulder.

He glanced behind him and her wide, green eyes sucked the air from his lungs.

“Are you sure your mom’s okay with all this?”

“Absolutely. Besides, she’s not the only one here excited for visitors.” He used his key to open the door, and was greeted by the sight of his mom, Mila, and Jimmy sitting in the living room. He hurried inside, allowing space for Clara to carry Avery over the threshold while Davey clung to her leg.

“Davey! Avery!” Jimmy shouted and jumped off the sofa. He greeted Davey with a hug then grinned up at Avery. “We can play pirates again today.”

Avery wiggled down Clara like a worm and threw her arms around Jimmy.

“We weren’t expecting you, Jimmy,” Clara said. “What a great surprise.”

Mila smiled. “I was here when Heath called his mama. When we realized the connection, Heath figured the kids would love seeing a familiar face.”

“That’s my boy. Always thinking about how to make others more comfortable.” His mom leaned on her cane to climb to her feet, her smile wide and welcoming. “You must be Clara. I’m so happy you’re here.”

Heath crossed the room to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. “Clara, this is Sally. My mother.”

Clara dipped her chin then rested a hand on top of Davey’s head. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you opening your home to us. This is my son, Davey. And my daughter is Avery. We’ll try to stay out of your hair.”

Sally wrinkled her nose. “Nonsense. I wouldn’t have washed this gray mop of mine if I didn’t want y’all in it. I’m excited to have some young blood in the house. Mila here doesn’t bring Jimmy around often, but I love it when she does.”

Jimmy grinned. “I love it too, Ms. Sally. You have the best stories.”

Heath rolled his eyes. Giving his mom a captive audience meant she’d never stop talking. But the look of admiration on Clara’s face told him he’d made the right move. Not only would she and the kids be safe, but they’d also be entertained which would keep Clara’s mind off Mitch as much as possible.

Avery broke away from Jimmy and toddled in front of the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. The lights blinked multiple colors, sending a cascade of rainbows through the shadowed room. “Pretty.”

Sally twisted her lips. “It doesn’t have the same punch it usually does. I haven’t been feeling too great and didn’t want to put much work in. Stringing lights was all we got done.”

Davey took a step forward, his big eyes glued to the tree. “We don’t have one. My daddy didn’t like them. Mama made one out of paper last year. Avery and me kept it in our room and glued decorations on it. This is so much better.”

The confession hit Heath like a sucker punch in the gut. He hadn’t paid much attention to the lack of festive decorations in Clara’s home. His focus had been on uncovering what Mitch might have taken.

Sally met his eye, and the determination etched in the tight lines of her face yelled her intention. Leaning on her cane, she crossed the room and rested a hand on Davey’s shoulder. “Do you want to make it even prettier?”

Davey and Avery spun around to stare up at her and shouted in unison, “Yeah!”

“Maybe you want to ask their mother before you put them to work,” Heath said, chuckling. He knew it wouldn’t matter. Once his mom had an idea, not much could change her mind.

Clara threw her palms in the air. “If you want to put them to work, I’m all for it. Busy hands keep them out of trouble.”

“Truer words have never been spoken,” Sally said. “Heath, dear, you know what to do.”

Mila laughed. “You heard her. We both know she won’t take no for an answer. Need a hand?”

“Nah, I got it.” He spared a quick look at Clara. “I’ll take your bags into the guest room first. Do you want to see it?”

Hesitancy pinched her brow.

Mila tilted her head toward the hallway in a go-ahead motion. “Go on. The kids are fine.”

Heath led her down the hall then stopped at the closed door. He pushed it open, waiting for her to enter before setting her bag on the ground.

She stepped further into the room and ran a finger along the navy-blue comforter before facing him, her mouth hooked up at one side. “Is this your old room?”

---