Page 79 of A Cowboy's Trust
Like knows likeshe thought. Both of them had been so trained by abuse that they craved unconditional love with everything in them.
She no longer doubted her suspicions. Not after the phone call she’d had with her sister earlier that evening.
She kicked herself that it had taken so long to act, but in her favour, there had been distractions like babies arriving and daily to-do lists. Gah, she sounded like aplanner.
But finally, before heading to bed, Tansy had called Ivy and been completely upfront about her concerns. If she could trust anyone, it was her big sister.
“I need you to check to see if you’re missing anything from your bedroom. Look for small shiny items, like rings or jewelry.”
Not even five minutes later, Ivy had returned to the line, her voice gone serious. “I’m missing the necklace Grandma Sonora gave me and the set of diamond drop earrings Walker got me for our fifth anniversary. And strangely, a set of ladybug earrings that the kids gave me last Mother’s Day. I could see the girls maybe taking the necklace to play dress-up, but neither of them have their ears pierced yet for the earrings. And they could take the ladybugs anytime they want, but they were so proud to give me something they bought, I really don’t think this is some childish mix up.”
“It’s not your kids,” Tansy assured her instantly. “And it wasn’t me?—”
“Oh my God, of course not. But the only people who have been in the house recently have been family. We both know no thief would break in and only steal a few trinkets when there are other things of value readily available.”
“Jeffrey came with us that night I babysat. I think he stole them.”
Ivy went silent then sighed. “Dammit. Are you okay?”
The fact she instantly put all the clues together and went straight to worrying about Tansy was so Ivy. The love in her voice swept around Tansy like a wave and made it easy to focus on the important parts of this disastrous discovery. “I’m too worried about Jeffrey to be upset by memories of my past. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll have much luck pinning this on the real person behind the theft.”
“Maybe we can scare Melissa enough to get her to stop.” Ivy’s tone went icy-sharp. School principal at her finest. “We have your back, both Walker and me. I won’t say anything to anyone else in the family. Not unless you think it’s wise.”
“Let me sleep on it,” Tansy requested. Ivy had blown kisses at her and offered her a hug through the phone along with the firm reminder of how much she was loved.
Tansy had come this far with the help of her family and friends.
Jeffrey? If she was right, he was still being molded and formed by cruelty, and she desperately needed to change his future sooner than later. No five-year-old should have to fight that battle alone.
She’d fallen asleep trying to figure out how to approach the topic with him, and here he was.
Tansy thought back to those days. To what someone would’ve had to say to getherto admit to her sins, and the longer she thought about it, the more she realized pretty much nothing would have made her confess.
But having options would’ve been nice.
She pressed a kiss to the top of Jeffrey’s head. “Sometimes it feels as if there are scary things around every corner.”
He stiffened enough she knew he was awake and listening.
God, give her the wisdom. “Sometimes, though, if you look hard enough, you can find safe places. Safe places to hide. Safe people who want the best for you, no questions asked. People who have smiles that go all the way down to their toes.”
“Puppy smiles,” Jeffrey offered in a near whisper.
Tansy hesitated. “Tell me.”
Jeffrey patted her hand with his. “Jinx’s puppy is scary because she’s a guard doggy, but she givesmekisses.”
Perfect. His little mind had found his way to reason through this. “Yes. You know you have to do therightthing around her, and if you do, Dixie will give you kisses and smile at you.” Tansy squeezed Jeffrey. “Anywhere you go, you need to find the people who will give you puppy smiles. Okay?”
“Okay.”
He was gone the next minute. Out of her room, closing her door so quickly and quietly it was as if he’d never been there.
Tansy shot to her feet, pulling on her robe as she chased after him, but by the time she made it into the living room, the front door was closed. Outside the window, the yard light spotlighted a little boy flying across the yard back to the apartment where Melissa slept on, oblivious to the fact her son was missing.
Tansy waited until he was back in the apartment, the door closed, then she moved decisively. There was no reason to hesitate any longer.
She slipped back to the sleeping quarters and opened the door to Jake’s room.
