Page 4 of Off-Limits Love
“You know him?” the cop to his left asked.
“He’s my neighbor. Known him for years,” Sam said.
“The kid is back,” one of the cops said.
“You thought Finn had something to do with Emi runnin’ off?” Sam asked gruffly, surprise overcoming his expression before he shook his head with a disgusted sounding snort. “Man wouldn’t hurt a child or animal. Get those cuffs off him.”
“Why didn’t he say who he was?” The officer settled a hand on his utility belt.
“Got himself a speech issue,” Sam said as he hurried closer, wheezing, pale, and out of breath, “but he’s good people. Let him go.”
Finn managed to unlock his jaw and took a deep breath before he said, “Heard sc-scream.”
He kept his voice low, hoping Sam’s niece wouldn’t hear him if nothing else. He was embarrassed enough that the cops closest to him heard.
“Why didn’t you say that earlier?” the first one asked, releasing the cuffs.
Finn wanted to roll his eyes at the cop not understanding that a speech issue, as Sam put it, might interfere with someone speaking, but simply shifted his arms in front of him to rub his wrists. “St-stutter w-wouldn’t l-l-let.”
The men seemed to finally understand and shifted uncomfortably. Like they were embarrassed for him. Stutters in kids were acceptable, even cute. But on an adult man? Not so much.
“Yeah, well, look, we didn’t know what was going on,” the first cop said. “I’m sure you understand why we cuffed you, given the girl was missing and the woman said you came out of the woods. You’re free to go now.”
“A word of advice,” the second cop said before Finn could move. “Carry a card or something that explains your situation. It might help if anything like this happens in the future.”
Finn nodded once but didn’t hesitate. He didn’t look at the woman, didn’t look at Sam or any of them as he stalked back toward the woods and home, vowing not to leave his farm again unless he absolutely had to.
Handcuffed. That’s what he got for trying to help a screaming woman. It didn’t matter that she was Sam’s niece. Or that she’d had nothing to do with the officers’ responses and actions.
It simply proved to him that no matter what he did, he’d never have a normal life, and it was past time to accept it.
ChapterTwo
The following morning, Makayla Jensen leaned back in the porch rocker and opened bleary eyes to take another sip of coffee so she didn’t wind up wearing it.
After the police had left last night, she’d had a long talk with Emi as she’d bathed her and put her to bed.
Emi had been tearful and withdrawn, barely speaking, but she’d nodded when asked if she understood that she wasn’t to run off alone and even said she was sorry.
But those moments when Emi was gone? When she didn’t know where she was? Thought the worst had happened?
She’d barely slept thanks to the nightmares of Emi, which had then morphed into past scenes with her ex. Reality had lumped into fear and resulted in her tossing and turning until she’d been drawn to the coffee machine.
Just the thought of those dreams, of that fear, left Mak trembling and sick to her stomach all over again. She’d thought the worst. Thought she’d lost Emi. Thought maybe her ex was right, and she’d never make it on her own. Or be able to be the mother Emi needed.
“You look like something Max chewed on and spit out,” Sam said before the screen door squeaked open and he joined her on the porch.
He carried his own mug of coffee, and she watched as he slowly lowered himself into the rocking chair beside her with a pained expression. She had no doubt traipsing through the woods after Emi had cost her uncle physically. “I feel like it, too.”
“I know Emi got you all worked up going off like that, but she’s fine. I’d say she’s learned her lesson.”
Maybe. Maybe not. “She’s four. And hardheaded.”
“Wonder where she gets that from?” Sam asked with a grunt.
“I know where she gets it from—you,” Mak shot back, the word softened with a tired smile. “She’s gotten way more adventurous just in the week we’ve been here.” Last night was proof of that.
“It’s good for kids to explore. It’s how things are supposed to be. Did she ever tell you where she went?”
