Page 48 of Shadows of You

A laugh bubbled out of me, and I held up both hands. “I’d never.”

She pulled me in for a quick hug. “Love you.”

That burn along my sternum was back, spreading and taking over. “Love you, too.”

But I wasn’t sure I’d earned the right to say those words to Maddie. Not when I was keeping so many secrets. I released her with guilt swirling around me and forced myself out of her SUV.

I glanced around my property, a shiver cascading through me. I had the sudden bizarre wish that Roan was still here. His big, burly presence made me feel safe in a way I almost resented. I’d been going it alone for years and worked hard to ensure Cady and I were safe.

Opening the back door, I unhooked Cady’s booster seat straps. “Ready for a snack?”

“Obvi.”

My brows hit my hairline. “Obvi?”

She grinned. “Drew says it a lot.”

I could only imagine all the things Charlie’s older brother said. I only hoped Cady wouldn’t accidentally drop an F-bomb in the first grade.

Cady hopped out of the back seat and ran toward the house.

“Just leave the booster since I’m driving you tomorrow,” Maddie said.

“Okay, thanks. Have a great training session.”

“I’m meeting with a chihuahua with aggression issues.”

“Oh, boy,” I muttered.

Maddie’s eyes filled with humor. “He loves the wife but growls and bares his teeth whenever the husband gets near her.”

I chuckled. “Have fun with that.”

“I always do.”

I shut the door and headed for the front porch. Checking the screen door, I pulled out the tiny piece of wood. Then I set to work unlocking all the locks. Each one sounded like a cannon going off. They used to make me feel safe. Secure. But now I felt exposed. As if a dozen of them wouldn’t protect me.

Cady charged inside the moment the door was open and began her lovefest with Chauncey. I quickly closed the door and relocked it, stepping to the window to survey the drive. I watched and waited as Maddie drove off. No silver van appeared. But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t.

“Mama?”

I turned at the sound of Cady’s voice.

Her face scrunched. “You okay?”

She was a little empath, through and through, always sensing others’ emotions.

“Yeah, honey. I’m okay.” I wouldn’t lie and say I was good. I wasn’t. But Iwasokay. We were. And that would stay true.

I let out a long breath. “You know what we need?”

Cady released her hold on Chauncey. “What?”

“Cocoa smash.”

Her eyes went comically wide. “Before dinner?”

I laughed. “Sometimes, you need to treat yourself. But you have to promise me you’ll eat your veggies when it’s time.”

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