Page 58 of More Than a Little Spark

When we get to Kent’s, I walk with him to the door.

Poppy pulls it open.“Hey, y’all.Can I get you coffee and something to hold you until dinner?”

“Coffee sounds great.”Kent hangs up his hat, then leans in for a kiss.“Carson brought Fred’s bag over since he’s apparently spending the night.”

Poppy freezes.“He’s not here.I thought he went to y’all’s place.”

My heart starts pounding.“You haven’t seen him?”

“Mason!”Poppy hollers down the hall.

Two seconds later, a very pale Mason is standing in front of me.“Yes, Mom?”

“Where’s Fred?”

Staring at his mom, he shakes his head.“I don’t know.He didn’t get on the bus, but he said he wouldn’t tell me where he was going or who he was meeting because I wouldn’t be able to keep a secret.He’s right, though.”Mason turns to face me.“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you he wasn’t on the bus.”

Panic coursing through my body, I wrestle the keys out of my pocket and run to the truck.I’ll start at the school and retrace his steps from there.And if I can’t find him, I’ll involve the police.I swallow back the sour taste in my mouth.

I’ve shown that I’ll do anything for the kid.Why would he run away?There has to be another explanation.

Chapter26

Daphne

Daphne

Ishow up to Sweets at ten minutes until two.I buy a donut, then sit in my car, waiting.Playing a game on my phone, I watch the clock, scanning the parking lot every few minutes for Carson’s truck.Getting here two hours early means I have loads of time to wonder what this is all about.It also means I can wonder while eating a donut or two.

It’s nearly four when Fred walks up to the shop and tugs on the door.When he realizes it’s locked, he looks around.

That’s my cue.

I get out of my car and walk over.“Hi.Was it you who texted me?”

He nods.“I needed to talk to you.And I was hoping to get a donut.When Dad wants to talk about serious stuff, he always has something sweet for us to eat.”

“Does he know you’re here?”

He shakes his head.“But he’s not worried because I told him I’d be at Mason’s house.”

“Think we could talk while eating banana pudding?”I point across the street to the barbecue restaurant.

“Yeah.Can I ride with you?”

“I’m not letting you cross that busy street, Fred.”I text Carson before starting the engine.

Me:Fred’s with me.We’ll be at Rueben’s, the barbecue place.

Carson:Thank God.I’m on my way.

Me:Don’t speed.He’s fine.

Carson sends a thumbs-up.

Fred buckles his seat belt.“I already crossed that road once, and I was fine.I’m not little.I just turned thirteen.”

“You definitely aren’t little.But I would feel horrible if anything happened to you, so perhaps, I’m being a bit too protective.”

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