Page 125 of Trusting Skulls

“Elizabeth said her daughter mistakenly thought her friend Danielle might be her mother, and they had arranged to meet up, but then she went missing. And Daisy told me she’s been hiding out.”

We both fall onto our little couch, staring at the painting.

“She does look a bit like Elizabeth, now that I think about it,” Ash reasons quietly.

My mind swirls in turmoil, because I know more than I’ve told Ash. I know the reason Elizabeth gave up her baby. She was raped. She gave her daughter up to protect her.

A pain settles deep in my chest for the woman who has become like a mother to me, while simultaneously aching for the girl I wrapped pinkies with. The girl who promised to be my soul sister.

“Oh god. What if Brody brings her to the baby shower? They’re supposed to be back today.”

We both jump to our feet, and Ash looks at his watch. “Fuck, we’re going to be late.”

When we get there, Ash breathes a sigh of relief. “I don’t see Brody’s bike. I think we’re safe.”

We hurry out back to find the baby shower already in progress. “Sorry we’re late,” Ash tells Jackson as we settle at the table beside him.

He laughs. “She hasn’t noticed. She’s been in heaven opening all those gifts.”

I look at the mountain of presents beside her as Ash sneaks up and adds ours to the top of the pile.

“I’m in so much trouble. My daughter is already spoiled, and she’s not even here yet,” Jackson grumbles, but I can tell how happy he is.

Ash leans over and whispers in my ear, “Elizabeth and JD are to your right.”

I glance over my shoulder and spot them. “I’m going to go sit with them.”

He nods.

JD notices me looking at them and waves me over, sliding away from Elizabeth to make room for me between them. They both give me a hug as Willow opens the next gift.

I tap my foot nervously. What if Brody and Daisy show up? Maybe I should text Brody and warn him.

“Oh, Lex, what a sweet gift,” Elizabeth says, squeezing me tight.

I look up to see everyone oohing and ahhing over the gift from me and Ash.

Willow holds up the little bug mobile as tears stream down her face. She then reads the story I wrote to everyone, stopping every so often to cry. She pats her chest and mouths a thank you to me when she’s finished.

Ash winks at me from across the yard. We really do make a good team.

The next gift causes an even bigger stir. It’s from Rachel.

Oh fuck. I forgot about the necklace.

JD leans over me to grab Elizabeth’s hand. “It’s not the same one, baby,” he whispers quietly.

But it is, and her reaction confirms my suspicions.

“Yeah, yeah.” She waves him away.

I guess this is as good as time as any to broach the subject, because Brody is on his way home with Elizabeth’s daughter.

“Where did you lose the necklace Kelsie gave you?” I ask her quietly.

“Um, the beach,” she answers mindlessly.

Elizabeth visibly pales as Rachel explains the scratch on the back and that the dragonfly has returned home.

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