Page 5 of Finders Keepers

Sophie looks up at me, syrup dotting her chin. “Mommy, Mr. Hoppy says these are the bestest pancakes.”

I reach over with a napkin to wipe her face. “Is that so? Well, Mr. Hoppy has very good taste.”

“Can we stay here?” she asks suddenly, her big eyes looking up at me hopeful. “Ms. Lucy is nice.”

I smooth her blonde waves back from her forehead, thinking about Lucy’s words. ‘Sometimes accepting help is just as brave as asking for it.’ Maybe she’s right. Maybe, this is exactly where we need to be right now.

“Yeah, baby,” I say, feeling something settle in my chest. “I think we can stay here for a little bit.”

She beams and goes back to eating her breakfast. I catch Lucy’s eye across the diner, and she gives me a knowing nod as I apply the arnica gel under the cover of my hair.

The bell above the door chimes as new customers enter, and Lucy greets them with the same warmth she showed us. Just another morning at Lucy’s Diner, where lost souls can find their way over cups of coffee and plates of the ‘bestest pancakes’ in town. The familiar clatter of silverware and murmur of conversation feels oddly comforting after everything we’ve been through. As I take a bite of my bacon, my mind drifts to the possibility of finding a safe haven here, something permanent maybe, but Matt’s face flashes in my mind, uninvited and terrifying. The bruises hidden under my hair throb as if on cue. What if he finds us? The thought sends a chill down my spine despite the warmth of the diner. I grip my coffee mug tighter, trying to ground myself in this moment of peace while fighting back the constant fear that’s become my shadow.

Ifollow Ms. Lucy’s side-by-side in my Honda, driving slowly down a winding dirt path that leads away from the main road. My knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel, and I keep glancing in the rearview mirror out of habit.

“Mommy, where are we going?” Sophie asks from her car seat, clutching Mr. Hoppy to her chest.

“We’re going to see a little house, baby. Ms. Lucy says we can stay there for a bit.”

“Is it far?”

“No, sweetheart. We’re almost there.”

The path curves around a cluster of oak trees, revealing a sprawling ranch with a large farmhouse in the distance. Ms. Lucy steers her vehicle toward a smaller structure set apart from the main house, a tiny cottage with a covered porch and white trim

As we pull up behind Ms. Lucy, I see an older man step out from the side-by-side. My muscles tense automatically.

“Who’s that man?” Sophie whispers, her voice small.

“I think his name is Jake. But Ms. Lucy is here, so it’s okay.” I try to sound more confident than I feel.

I turn off the engine but sit for a moment, taking deep breaths. Then I step outside the car to grab Sophie. I hold her tight an extra moment.

“Ready?” I ask, smoothing her hair.

She nods against my chest.

We step away from the car just as Ms. Lucy approaches with the man trailing behind her.

“Bailey, Sophie, this is Jake. He helps me run the ranch,” Ms. Lucy says, her voice warm and reassuring.

Jake keeps a respectful distance, his weathered face breaking into a kind smile. “Pleasure to meet you ladies.”

He extends his hand toward me, and I hesitate before reaching out to shake it briefly, pulling back as quickly as politeness allows. Sophie wraps herself around my legs, half-hiding behind me as she peeks out at Jake.

“Hi there, little miss,” he says gently, crouching down to Sophie’s eye level but staying where he is. “That’s a mighty fine bunny you’ve got.”

Sophie tightens her grip on my legs, pressing her face against my jeans.

“She’s a bit shy,” I explain, resting my hand protectively on her head.

“That’s okay,” he says, straightening up. “Takes time to get comfortable in new places.”

Ms. Lucy gestures toward the cottage. “Why don’t I show you around?”

I follow Ms. Lucy toward the cottage while Jake hangs back at the side-by-side, giving us space. Sophie clutches my hand, her tiny fingers wrapped around mine as we approach the front door.

“Here we are,” she announces, gesturing to the gorgeous navy blue door with matching window shutters. The paint looks fresh, and small potted plants flank either side of the entrance.

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