Page 33 of The Locksmith's Promise

Shame for the choices I made and the choices I stole unfurled in my stomach.

“It’ll be okay, Mags,” he murmured low, for my ears only.

Stiff as a board, I nodded minutely as Corwin bounded over to talk to his grandparents.

I followed at a much more sedate pace. It would have been slower still if not for Baxter’s gentle prodding.

“Hi, baby,” Mom murmured, her eyes darting between Baxter and me.

I leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Are you okay?” she breathed in my ear.

I swallowed tightly and tucked my hair behind my ear as I straightened. “I’m okay.”

Baxter held out his hand to my father. “Hello, Sir. It’s good to see you again.”

My father grasped Baxter’s hand with no hesitation. “Probably time you called me Keith. It’s good to see you, Bax.”

“Same, Sir.”

Turning to my mom, Bax offered her that sweetly disarming smile. “Mrs. Raynor.”

My mother smiled warmly. Standing, she drew him in for a brief hug. “It’s Laurie, Bax.”

My father cleared his throat. “How have things been since you’ve been back?”

Stuffing his hands into his front pockets, Bax nodded. “Good. Word’s getting around and I’m starting to pick up work.”

Dad’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, yeah? What is it you do?”

“General contractor and master locksmith.”

The chatter that had rumbled along at a dull roar had quieted to the point we could have been in church.

My neck snapped up and I looked around pointedly, gratified when heads turned back to their companions and conversation resumed.

Sometimes pulling out my teacher persona paid off.

My dad grinned and shook his head. “Locksmith, eh? I suppose we should have anticipated that.”

Baxter huffed out a soft laugh, his cheeks growing rosy. “Probably.”

My dad’s tone changed. “We need to have a conversation soon.”

“Dad!” I exclaimed, but he held up a staying hand. “Not about you, Maggie.” He waved a finger between all of us. “We’re family, now. It’ll be good to clear the air.”

Baxter’s shoulders simultaneously dropped and drew back as he stood taller, his big body claiming more space. “I look forward to it, Sir.”

While my eyes locked on the exchange between Baxter and my dad, I failed to notice Corwin sliding into one of the empty chairs.

“We need another chair,” he exclaimed.

My dad shook his head. “Your dad wants time with you, Cor. There’ll be time enough for family dinners. How about we have you and your mom and dad over to our house on Saturday?”

The blood drained from my face.

Everything was moving too fast.

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