Page 40 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

He leaned against the counter and waited for the pot to fill. “I figured you would. Sorry I’m not driving you to your appointment.” A pinch of guilt gnawed at his chest. He’d escorted her to every doctor visit since she’d fallen. Passing that responsibility over to Mila didn’t sit well with him, but he also didn’t want to leave Clara and the kids alone.

“Don’t you worry about that. You’re right where you belong.” She reached out her hand for him to take.

He bit back a smile and walked toward her, capturing her hand in his.

“And I don’t mean just for now. This family, that woman…they’re special. You light up when you’re with them. I hope to see a lot more of them in the future.”

The doorbell rang, and he helped his mom to her feet.

“Oh stop your fussing,” she said. “I hardly even need this cane anymore. But I might carry it around just because it makes me look fancy.” She shot him a wink then made her way to the front door.

Snatching her coat from the hook, he waited for her to open the door before helping her shrug into the warm jacket.

“How’s everyone doing?” Mila asked.

“Pretty good,” he said. “Clara’s trying to get the kids to sleep.”

“Hopefully it works. Then you two can enjoy some quiet while your mom and I hit the town.”

Sally cackled. “I like the sound of that. Let’s get going.”

He watched them make their way to Mila’s silver sedan then closed and locked the door. Mila would take good care of his mom, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited to sit and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

“Do I smell coffee?” Clara padded into the living room and fell onto the couch.

“Sure do. Want a cup?”

“More than anything. Can you add?—”

He held up a finger. “A pinch of sugar and splash of milk?”

Her mouth parted in a tiny o of surprise. “You know how I like my coffee?”

“I pay attention.” He shot her a wink then hurried into the kitchen to fill two mugs and ferry them back into the living room. He handed her the drink then settled in beside her. “Kids asleep?”

She tucked her feet beneath her and shifted to lean against him. He couldn’t help but think back to when Davey had leaned against him the same way.

Which reminded him about his conversation with Owen.

He hadn’t had a chance to speak with Clara. They’d been busy with the kids, and no way he’d bring up Mitch in front of them.

“I spoke with Owen earlier.” He set his mug down and tucked her closer to his side, draping his arm firmly around her shoulders.

Her body stiffened. “Any luck finding Mitch?”

“No. All available deputies and city cops are searching for him. He’s the number one priority in the county. Owen’s spoken with Mitch’s parents, but they claim to be unaware of his whereabouts. Would they lie to protect him?”

“His dad would, absolutely. His mom, I’m not sure. Their marriage is a lot like Mitch’s and mine was. He’s the boss, she falls in line. I don’t think she’d contradict anything Fred said, at least not in front of him.”

Heath tucked that information in the back of his mind before continuing. “What about friends? Anyone he’s close enough with to let him crash at their place?”

She shook her head and strands of her long hair brushed against his chin. “Not really. The only people he spent time with were at Town Tavern, but those were drinking buddies. Not really good friends. But then again, I can’t say I know what he did when he left the house. I was always just thankful I didn’t have to be around him. Prayed that one day he’d just never come home.”

When her voice quivered, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

“I’ll worry until he’s caught.”

He wished he could tell her she didn’t have to, that everything would be fine. But it’d be a lie. And if he knew one thing for certain, he’d never lie to her.

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