“Sounds wonderful. Lead the way.” Jennie smiled. Out of all her mistakes and bad choices, Zoey was the shining spot of her life.
David leaned in and whispered, “She’s a little firecracker.”
Jennie laughed. “You have no idea.”
“Just like her momma.”
Most women would be furious at being called a firecracker, but not Jennie. David’s words were a balm to her battered heart.
After a bowl of soup, and snuggling with her daughter on the couch, Jennie’s eyes drooped. Exhaustion took over and she couldn’t stop it.
“I’m sorry, guys, but I’m tired.” She stood and wobbled. David’s hands shot out and steadied her. She smiled her thanksand headed toward the hallway. “Please don’t let me sleep too long.”
“You need your rest.” Aunt Emily rested her knitting in her lap. “But I promise to wake you for dinner.”
Jennie closed the door to her bedroom and released a long breath. She slipped into an oversized t-shirt and yoga pants. Her bedroom window caught her attention. She padded across the floor in her bare feet and peered through the partially closed blinds.
Hair stood up on the back of her neck. Was her attacker out there? Or was she paranoid? Heart racing, she tightened the blinds and tugged the curtain closed.
“Calm down. He’s not looking in your window.” The attempt to convince herself failed, but tiredness had taken over. She slipped beneath the covers of her bed. What if she was wrong and the assailant was out there?
Tears dripped across her nose and onto her pillow. Would she ever feel safe again?
***
The next morning, David folded the blanket and placed it on the corner of the couch. The bold aroma of coffee drifted into the living room begging him to get a cup of the mind-clearing substance. He stepped into the kitchen and discovered Zoey and Miss Emily working side by side at the counter.
“Hello, ladies.” He made his way to the coffee pot and poured a cup. Leaning against the counter, he crossed his ankles and took a sip. His eyes closed as the flavor and warmth teased his taste buds.
“Hi, Mr. David. Aunt Em and I made Momma her favorite chocolate chip muffins. Want one?”
“Do I ever. You two are wonderful cooks.” He accepted the plate with two muffins and sat at the kitchen table. “Don’t you have school today, Zoey?”
“Yup, but I’m ready. Just need to eat breakfast.” The girl grinned and plopped down in the seat next to him.
David glanced at his watch. He needed to run home, change, and get to the station, but he’d make sure Zoey got to school before he took care of his schedule. “Eat. Then I’ll drop you off on my way to work.”
“Okay.” Zoey stuffed a huge piece into her mouth and chewed.
Jennie meandered into the kitchen. “That smells amazing.”
David took a long, hard look at Jennie. Her pale face, a stark contrast from the deepening purple and black bruises on her neck, made his teeth clench. If he ever got his hands on the man who did this…
“How are you this morning?”
Jennie’s gaze darted to Zoey.
The young girl raised a brow as if to challenge her mother to speak the truth.
“I’m sore, having bad dreams, and paranoid someone is watching me.” She returned a raised brow back at Zoey.
The girl nodded and continued to eat her muffins.
He chuckled. The two were an interesting pair. Mother and daughter in every way, but also best friends and confidantes. He admired Jennie for not sugarcoating things with her daughter. The ten-year-old seemed wise beyond her years, but that hadn’t stopped her from being a normal kid either.
“How ‘bout I take Zoey to school, then come back during my lunch break and see how you’re doing?”
“Sounds nice, but you don’t need to. I’m sure you have a million other things that need to be done. And I assume I’ll have a babysitter outside most of the day.”
