And he finally had one.
63
Timed Echoes
Thenextmorning,afterrunning his usual errands, Jaxon heads to the grocery store to restock his fridge—still recovering from yesterday’s impromptu audition for his nonexistent cooking show. He moves up and down the aisles with a grocery list in one hand and a whirlwind of questions in his head. His cart fills, but so does his anxiety.
When he finally reaches the cashier, it hits him like a slap—Sara had always called him from Claire’s phone. There’s no way for her to contact him directly. The only chance she had to reach him... was by showing up.
As the cashier bags his groceries, Jaxon swipes his card and bolts out the doors like the place is on fire. He tosses the bags in the backseat and tears out of the lot, heart pounding, tires squealing.
Please let them still be there.
Every mile feels longer than the last. By the time he pulls into the drive, dread sets in. No car. No laughter. No shadow of a little girl running across the porch.
They're gone.
He rests his forehead against the steering wheel, eyes closed. I just met my daughter—and I already lost her. Again.
Dragging himself out of the truck, he grabs the bags and heads to the back door. Before stepping inside, he glances out at the sound, silently begging the universe for one more miracle.
The house is quiet when he walks in. Too quiet. Jaxon sets the bags on the counter and begins unpacking. That’s when he hears it.
“Need some help?”
He turns sharply—nearly drops the loaf of bread—only to see Sara standing in the doorway, a teasing grin on her face.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I remember where you keep the spare key.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Jaxon says, relief flooding every word. “What are you doing here?”
“I want you to know your daughter, Jaxon,” she says gently. “Mom and Dad had to head back—cleaned out the beach house and hit the road. But we’ve got a few weeks before Jaq starts school again... so we thought we’d stay a little longer. We just... need a place to crash.”
She grins like it’s a casual request, but Jaxon sees the emotion behind her eyes. He closes the distance and wraps her in a hug.
“Stay as long as you want,” he says softly.
Their eyes meet as he pulls back, the air thick between them—until Jaqueline wanders into the kitchen like a perfectly timed reminder of why they’re here.
Jaxon kneels to her level. “I’m so glad you’re here, Jaq. Would it be okay if we all spent a little time together?”
“I like it here,” she says with a nod, the kind that makes something inside him settle for the first time in years.
“Good,” he smiles. “I hope you and Sara can stick around for a while.”
As Jaqueline runs off into the living room, Jaxon and Sara start ironing out the logistics.
“You can have my room,” he offers.
“Not a chance,” she says. “You’re doing us the favor.”
“No, Sara. You’re giving me the chance to know my daughter. That’s bigger than anything.”
She shakes her head, smiling. “Fine. I’ll take the one across the hall. Jaq wants the room down the hall anyway.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Honestly? Since Claire passed, she’s been glued to me. Hasn’t slept in her own bed once. Maybe it’s the new environment... she’s willing to try.”
