Page 82 of Shadows of You

I shrugged. “I’m just going to let it be known that I’m watching. That’s all.”

“What you mean is that you’re gonna give them that serial-killer smile, right?” Nash asked.

“Maybe.”

Lawson groaned again. “At least take Charlie with you. Maybe he can keep you in line.”

It actually wasn’t a bad idea. Not that my nephew would stop me from doing what I needed to do, but I could have a conversation with him about looking out for Cady, too. “Sure.”

I opened the door and slid out.

“Roan,” Lawson called.

I grunted.

“Don’t give the girls nightmares for the rest of their lives, okay?”

“Only if they deserve it.”

I grabbed Charlie’s booster seat and headed for my truck. It didn’t take me long to get from the trailhead to the elementary school. When I pulled to a stop and hopped out, Cady flew at me.

“Mr. Grizz!”

I hauled her up and onto my hip. “How was your day?”

“Pretty good.”

A throat cleared, and an older teacher gave me a wary look. “Can I see your identification, please?”

“This is Mr. Grizz. He’s me and Mama’s bestie, and he’s taking me to dance today,” Cady informed her.

The woman’s mouth thinned as she waited for me.

I set Cady on the ground and pulled out my badge, handing it to her.

She took her sweet time examining it as if it might be a fake. Finally, she handed it back. “All right.”

“I’m picking up my nephew, as well. Charlie Hartley.”

Charlie bounded up. “You are?”

I clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re coming to ballet with Tiny Dancer and me.”

His face scrunched. “I don’t gotta wear a tutu, do I?”

“Only if you want to, bud,” I said.

The teacher huffed. “We got a call about that.” She acted as if she was annoyed she couldn’t have me arrested.

“Thanks forallyour help,” I said with a mock smile, and she scurried off.

“She doesn’t check when Miss Maddie comes to get me,” Cady said thoughtfully.

I bet she didn’t. Because Maddie was all sunshine and rainbows. I was…not.

“Where’s your booster seat, Tiny Dancer?” I asked.

She pointed to a stone wall. I grabbed it and got it installed in my truck. Helping the kids up, I checked that they were securely fastened in their seats. “Ready to hit the road?”

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