Page 19 of Chasing Shelter

My kid was happy. That was what mattered. And Ellie had made her that way.

“Thank you,” I gritted out.

“Why does it sound like you just had a wisdom tooth pulled?” Ellie asked, amusement wrapping around her words.

“Supergran says he’s cranky because he doesn’t go out dancing,” Keely added helpfully.

A laugh bubbled out of Ellie, wrapping around me like husky silk. “Is that so?” she asked, eyes twinkling. “You know, I had a pretty good dance party to *NSYNC before you barged in last night.”

“What’s *NSYNC?” Keely asked, confusion in her voice.

Ellie made an exaggerated motion of stabbing herself. “You’re tearin’ up my heart. We’re gonna have to work on your musical education, bestie.”

“Dear God, please don’t,” I muttered.

Ellie just laughed again, and I wanted to drown in the sound. Sheoffered a hand to Keely for a high five. “Just for that, we start today. I’ll work on a mix of their greatest hits.”

Keely jumped in the air, fists skyward. “Dance party.”

“First, let’s get you to class. First grade waits for no one,” I said, a hint of gruffness taking root in my voice.

“Bye, Ellie!” Keely cried, running for my SUV as I beeped the locks.

“Have a spunktacular day!” Ellie called after her. “And thanks for the pizza, Chief.”

“You’re welcome,” I gritted out as if a boa constrictor were strangling my words.

But I didn’t let myself turn around. Didn’t allow myself to take in the magic that swirled around her—the kind that could be volatile. I’d seen it firsthand with my mother. How they were reading you a bedtime story with all the voices one minute, and the next, on the roof of your cabin saying they could fly just like the dragon in the book, track marks running down their arm.

My childhood had taught me one thing. Magic wasn’t worth the risk.

6

ELLIE

Because I was apparently stillin my dumb-girl era, I tracked Trace’s every move as he walked toward his SUV. Everything about him had sadness and anger written all over it. From the set of his shoulders to the tension radiating through his jaw. I just couldn’t figure out why.

It was like I’d kicked his puppy, not put cute braids in his daughter’s hair. Maybe he thought I was infringing on their time together. I could understand that. From what I’d gathered during my couple of Colson family dinners, Trace and his ex shared custody. Only getting your daughter for half the time had to be hard. But something niggled.

A little piece of doubt that told me there was more to the story.

Trace’s engine starting had me jolting out of my musings. Keely waved from the back seat, beaming brightly. Trace might be cranky, sad, pissed-off hotness, but I wouldn’t trade Keely’s smile for anything, even if it came at the price of Trace’s stern looks or clipped words.

I waved back and headed for the sidewalk. As Trace’s SUV disappeared around the corner, I scanned the street, looking for anything out of place. I wasn’t sure what I expected. A pissed-off Bradleyjumping from behind a neighbor’s bushes? He’d never deign to get his khakis dirty.

But I still looked. All I saw were normal morning happenings. A couple heading off to work. A mom loading three kids of various ages into a minivan. A sedan driving past with a man I’d seen come out of a house down the street yesterday. No Bradley. No private investigator with a long-lens camera.

I let out a long breath and headed toward town. Sleep hadn’t come easily last night. I’d finally grabbed about three hours after finding a bat in the garage. I’d fallen asleep clutching it.

So, there was only one thing I needed this morning. Caffeine. And lots of it.

As I started walking, a breeze picked up. In just a matter of weeks, the temperature had dropped drastically, and I was thankful Arden had told me about the need for layers around here. I pulled a sweater out of my bag and slid it on as I headed toward downtown.

The streets were fairly empty since the tourist season was fading. Now, it was the sort of casual foot traffic that meant a predominance of locals going about their normal business. A bookstore called Sage Pages was opening as I passed, the older gentleman giving me a smile and a dip of his head.

“Morning,” I greeted.

“Back at ya. Gonna be a beaut,” he called.

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