Zoey threw her arms around his waist. “Thank you for saving my mom.”
David rubbed the girls back.
A blue and white police cruiser parked at the top of the hill.
He squinted in the direction of the officer making his way down the steps on the far side and smiled. “Let’s go say hi to Officers Hanes.”
Jennie and Zoey walked alongside him toward his brother in blue. “Hey, Randy.”
“How’s it going, man?”
“Been better.” David wanted to talk with the officer out of earshot of Zoey, but the young girl was too perceptive and seemed wise beyond her years. He’d wondered about her maturity when he’d first met her, but he hadn’t figured out why yet. “I’d like to introduce you to Jennie and Miss Zoey.”
Hanes tipped a pretend hat. “Ladies. Want to tell me what happened?” The officer pulled a pen and pad of paper from his pocket and motioned toward a metal picnic table several yards away.
The small group trudged over and plopped down. The adrenaline had faded, and fatigue settled in.
David ran his hand through his hair and proceeded to give Officer Hanes his account of the near tragedy. Jennie and Zoey added their statement to his while Hanes took notes and appeared concerned with the information.
“I’ll take a look up top and see if the stranger left behind any evidence of foul play.” Hanes stood and shook David’s hand. “I’ll get back to you with my findings.”
“I appreciate it.” David glanced at Jennie. “Are you ready to go home or do you plan to stay?”
“I think we’ve had enough for today. We’ll head back to the house and find something to do to keep our minds off what happened.”
He hesitated. “Would you mind if I rode with you, then ran home from your house. It would make me feel better knowing you made it home.”
Jennie bit her lower lip then nodded.
He placed his hand over hers. “Thank you.” He’d tuck her safely into her cottage before he ran home, took a shower, and called his partner.
Things had hit weird status. His mind spun with the events of the last hours.
Was Jennie the target of something sinister? Or had he seen things that weren’t there and the rocks had fallen by themselves?
His gut told him to keep an eye on the pretty blonde sitting across from him. He refused to fail her and add to his guilt.
Chapter 7
Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Sunday afternoon, Jennie played the beach scene over and over in her head. It hadn’t helped her worry when David called her multiple times after he’d seen her home and deemed her little house safe. What if the landslide hadn’t been an accident like he thought? But why?
“Momma?” Zoey tugged on Jennie’s shirttail.
The mixer hummed and her daughter held out a spatula.
Jennie blinked. “I’m sorry, baby.” She took the offered utensil and scraped the sides of the bowl containing the start of chocolate chip cookies.
“Ready?” Zoey hovered a measuring cup above the egg and sugar blend.
“Got for it.”
Zoey peered into the bowl. A dusting of flour poofed in her face. The girl giggled.
She smiled at her ten-year-old. So innocent, yet wiser than most adults. Her smile faded. Due to her poor choices, her daughter had lost her carefree childhood.
The two finished with the dough and placed a cookie sheet filled with lumps of yummy goodness into the oven. Jennie set a timer and washed her hands.
