Page 89 of Forbidden Secrets
“They’re con artists,” Gage growled.“Tiny, sparkly grifters.”
Esme laughed.“Welcome to parenthood.”
He glanced between the two women.“Where’s the cake?”
“We can pick it up when we leave,” Melanie said.
The girls ran back, triumphant, each cradling a plastic bag filled with sloshing water and darting goldfish.
“We got goldfish.” Addy beamed.“They’re alive and everything.The man felt sorry for us because we’re bad throwers and kept missing.He gave us extra.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Esme groaned.“A fish requires a tank and food and upkeep.How can they give kids fish at a carnival?”
“The man said we had to ask an adult first and Gage said we could,” Addy said helpfully.
“What?I didn’t—” Gage sputtered, and Melanie patted his arm.
“You’ve got a lot to learn,” she said, amused.“Always read the fine print.”
A woman approached, one hand resting firmly on a boy’s shoulder.
“That’s Liam,” Addy whispered.She gripped Pancake’s collar.
The kid looked normal, not like a miniature serial killer.
“Hi, I’m Kerry, Liam’s mom.I’m sorry for the upset my son has caused your family.”She nudged her boy forward.“Liam has something to say.”
Liam scuffed the toe of his sneaker in the grass, then looked up at Addy, cheeks red.“I’m sorry for being mean.I won’t do it anymore.”
Addy studied him.“Why were you mean?”
“I dunno.”
Addy nodded.“Okay.Do you want to pet Pancake?Being mean makes your heart sick.Pancake makes it better.”
Gage’s chest tightened.That kid didn’t know it, but Addy had given him a lifeline.He dropped to his knees, and Pancake leaned into him.A moment later, Liam’s face was buried in her soft fur.Pancake rolled to her back, and Isla and Addy joined in, rubbing the dog’s belly while his dog soaked up every ounce of attention.
Kerry turned to Melanie.“We’re getting him into counseling.I just… I’m sorry.”
Melanie’s voice was soft.“It means a lot that you brought him.That couldn’t have been easy.”
She glanced at Esme, who nodded.“Would Liam like to go trick-or-treating with us tonight?We’re going around with the neighbor kids and you’re both welcome.”
Kerry blinked, surprised.“I’ll ask Liam if he wants to.Thank you.”
They exchanged numbers, gave hugs, and Liam and his mom walked away.How did women forgive and forget so easily?Gage guessed that’s where Addy’s big heart came from.
“Time to go, girls.”
There were groans of protest.Gage tugged on the leash, but Pancake didn’t budge.“C’mon, Pancake.Let’s go.”
Pancake ignored him and seemed to relax farther into the grass.Addy handed him the fish and took the leash.“Here, Dad.I’ll handle Pancake.”
Gage froze.Dad?He liked the sound of that.
She whispered in Pancake’s ear.The dog rolled to her feet like she’d been given a command from royalty.
Melanie reached up and kissed Gage’s cheek, eyes shining.“We’re already a family,” she whispered.
