Page 77 of Finders Keepers

“Say cheese!” Melina calls.

“Cheese!” Sophie giggles, wrapping her arms around Duke’s neck. The dog licks her face, making her laugh even harder.

I smile, a real smile as Melina snaps the picture. Gavin’s warmth seeps through my cotton dress, steady and reassuring. The flower crown on his head brushes against my temple when he turns to look at me.

“Another one?” Melina asks, adjusting her camera.

“Yes!” Sophie bounces on her knees. “Mommy, we need big smiles this time.”

“Yes ma’am,” I lightly chuckle, and when Gavin’s arm tightens just a fraction around my waist, I don’t pull away. Instead, I let myself sink deeper into the moment, into the feel of being held without fear.

It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself this closeness with anyone other than Sophie. The realization makes my throat tight with emotion. I breathe through it, focusing on the present, the festival sounds around us, Sophie’s delighted giggles, the smell of all the baked goods. I let it all ground me.

“Perfect!” She announces after taking a few more photos. “These are going to look great.”

As we stand up, Gavin’s hand lingers at the small of my back. I should move away. I should put distance between us. But I don’t want to. For the first time in years, I don’t immediately calculate the safest path, don’t automatically retreat from a man’s touch.

I stay right where I am, and it stirs feelings in me I haven’t felt in years.

“Can we get a copy?” I ask Melina.

“One thousand percent.” She smiles, “We will be uploading all of the files onto our website, and you can snag it from there.”

“Thank you!” Smiling, already knowing that I’m going to frame one and add the picture to the wall at home. Sophie hugs Duke one last time then surprisingly she hugs Gavin.

For a moment, he freezes, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. I nod slightly, giving him silent permission.

His posture softens. He crouches down to her level, returning her hug with gentle arms that envelop but don’t overwhelm her. There’s a carefulness to his movements, like he’s handling something precious.

“Thank you for the flower crown,” he says to her, his voice low and warm. “And for letting me be in your picture.”

She beams up at him. “You look pretty with flowers.”

He laughs, the sound rich and genuine. “That might be the nicest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

My heart twists watching them. Sophie doesn’t warm up to people easily. Matt made sure of that. Yet here she is, hugging Gavin.

Ms. Lucy appears at my side with cotton candy. “I know Henry said no, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“You’re corrupting my daughter,” I say as Sophie notices the purple sugary cloud.

“That’s what honorary grandmothers are for, honey.” She gives me a playful wink.

And there it is again. A strange tingling sensation crawling up my spine. I stiffen slightly, my smile faltering as I scan the festival crowd. That feeling of being watched returns, stronger this time. My eyes dart between the colorful booths, searching faces, looking for anyone paying too much attention to us.

“You okay?” Gavin asks, his voice pulling me back.

“Yeah, I just…” I trail off, still scanning. The crowd shifts and moves, families laughing, children running between stalls. Nothing seems out of place, yet the feeling persists. “Thought I saw someone I knew.”

Ms. Lucy hands Sophie the cotton candy, and that momentarily distracts me. Her face lights up as she takes a careful bite, getting purple sugar on her nose.

“Look, Mommy! It’s magic.”

I force my attention back to her, pushing down the unease. “It sure is, baby.”

Gavin studies my face, concern evident in his eyes. “Bailey?”

“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to convince myself as much as him. One more quick scan of the festival grounds reveals nothing suspicious. No ones watching us. No familiar faces that shouldn’t be here. “Just my imagination.”

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