Page 36 of Forbidden Secrets
Melanie needed to tell her mom about the break-in, though she dreaded making the call.It would only heighten Donna’s anxiety about her daughter and granddaughter’s safety.
Before reaching out, she heard from Luke Ballard and scheduled an appointment for his initial assessment.She texted the time to Gage.It felt good knowing he had her back.
At least now she had something concrete to show Donna, that she was taking action and handling things.
Her mom picked up on the first ring.“Hello, my girl.”
“Hi, Mom.How’s it going?”
“We’re good.Let me sit down and put you on speaker.”She sounded out of breath.
“What’d I interrupt?”
“Dean and I broke down the pop-up tent we use for the vaccination clinic.We had over thirty people bring in their pets to get shots, and one couple fell in love with a little kitten and adopted it.”Donna volunteered at the local animal shelter.“All around, it was a good day.”
“Good for you.”
“What’s going on?I can hear something in your voice.”Donna had a highly tuned antenna where her daughter was concerned.
Melanie told her about the break-in.Donna’s reaction was strong as expected.
“Good lord in heaven, Mellie.Those men could’ve hurt you.Thank god Gage was there.What if Addy had been home?The thought of something happening to that little girl scares me like nothing else.”
“I know, Mom, but I’ve got a plan.”
“I do too.You and Addy can move in with me and Paul until the police learn why those men targeted you.We have plenty of space and you’d be welcome here.”
Melanie knew good and well if she and Addy moved in, her mom would hold on fast and tight, and it would be doubly hard to leave again.Melanie couldn’t sacrifice her hard-earned independence.
“No, Mom.Addy and I are staying here.”
“Hear me out.This house has two guest rooms so you and our girl could each have your own room.We’re closer to the elementary school so the bus wouldn’t be an option, but Paul and I can help with drop-off and pickup.You know we’d do anything for you and Addy.”
Melanie had heard variations of Donna’s proposal since she’d made the decision to return to Sisters.
“I know you would, Mom.You’re a big part of why we moved back.But we’re staying in our house.I contacted a home security specialist who’s coming out to give me a quote.”She didn’t like using Gage as a guarantor of her safety, but these were desperate times.“Plus, Gage is right next door.He’s former FBI and has his own security company.He recommended the security guy I have an appointment with.”
“Thank goodness for Gage.Next time I see him, I’m giving that man a big hug.In fact, maybe I’ll bake him thank-you cookies.”
“Mom, you don’t need to do that.”
Melanie could almost hear the wheels in Donna’s head turning.“You’re right.You’regoing to bake him cookies.Or invite him to dinner.Because that’s what you do when a handsome, single man saves your life.”
“I told him thank you.”Melanie cringed at the petulance she heard in her own voice.
“I raised you to have better manners than that.”
“Right.”Dammit.“I’ll do something, Mom.Promise.”
With Addy’s bus due any moment, they rang off.Donna was in full agreement that Addy didn’t need to know about the events of the morning.
That afternoon, as Addy lay on the living room floor with her colored pencils and a unicorn coloring book, Melanie found herself having trouble focusing.
She sat on the loveseat with her laptop balanced on her knees.But instead of working on her manuscript, she’d spent the past ten minutes searching chocolate chip cookie recipes.Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies would be good, especially if she added chopped nuts.
After dinner, Melanie and Addy trekked across the footbridge over the creek.Mel carried a flashlight and Addy carried the container of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies—they’d each sampled one and deemed them gift-worthy.The sun had disappeared beyond the mountains in the west, and the brightest stars were beginning to emerge.Security lights came on as they climbed the slope to Gage’s house.A muted woof sounded from inside.
“I hear Pancake,” Addy exclaimed.
