“A mermaid!”
Hadley nodded soberly. “A classic for a reason.” After checking to make sure the markers were washable, she took Maddie’s hand and turned it this way and that, taking in the shape of her canvas and letting her brain paint the image there. Then she put marker to skin and began bringing the image to life.
Dimly, she was aware of Cayla moving around the kitchen, probably pulling out the beginnings of dinner. Maddie kept up a steady stream of chatter that Hadley answered with half an ear. Most of her focus was on the drawing, coaxing the colors into focus. Markers wouldn’t allow her to achieve the detail of the true picture in her mind, but she figured Maddie would be happy with the end result. The process relaxed her, getting her out of her head and away from the spinning anxiety of what was to come.
At least until Maddie yanked her hand free, shouting, “Daddy!” She leapt up, making a beeline for the garage door, where Holt scooped her up.
“Hey, Bumblebee.”
Maddie looped her arms around his neck. “Look who came to visit!”
“That’s what I was going to say.” Eyes on Hadley, he moved out of the doorway.
And there, standing behind him, was Cash.
Well, shit.