He planned to take it.
Maddox grabbed a pen and paper and scrawled his number down. He added the number for the main office, on the off chance he had to ditch all his cell phones.
Skyler would never be out of options again. No matter where he was, no matter what he needed, one phone call and Maddox would find him.
He had just gathered snacks for the ride and stuffed them into a duffle with new clothes and the numbers tucked inside, when a knock sounded on the door.
“Is that her?” Skyler asked.
“It is,” Maddox said with a nod
Brynn stared at the entryway as if it was a snake ready to strike, holding Skyler’s shoulders and keeping him pulled back against her.
Maddox opened the door to find Connie there. She didn’t even reach five feet in height. Curly brown hair hung just past her shoulders, held back by a headband. Between that and the freckles, she looked twelve.
Skyler stared at her with wide eyes.
“Skyler, Brynn, this is Connie Yates. She’s going to take you to your uncle.”
Connie stepped in and approached them, shaking their hands. “Nice to meet you both.” She bent down to Skyler’s level and smiled. “You won’t have to wait that long to see your uncle.” She turned and called out the door, “Dave?”
A tall man with tan, rugged skin stepped through. The lines etched around his eyes told them he was a man in turmoil. Worry, fear, and guilt settled into his features. The minute he laid eyes on Skyler he smiled, and his eyes glossed over with tears.
“Skyler,” he whispered, dropping to his knees and opening his arms.
With a whimper Skyler took off at a run and launched himself at his uncle, his skinny arms squeezing the man tight around the neck.
Dave rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger. “It’s okay, my boy. It’s all going to be okay now.”
Brynn stood there with her hands intertwined in front of her, tears streaming down her face. She took a tentative step, but stopped.
Skyler let go of his uncle and turned to her. “I’m going to be okay now.” He smiled, and jogged up to her for one last hug. She held onto him as if memorizing the feel of his skinny body in her arms.
As if she’d never see him again.
Finally, she let him go. Connie guided Skyler with an arm on his shoulder, leading him to the car.
Maddox led Brynn to the door, where they watched Skyler buckle up. She looked to be rooted right in the spot where she’d last hugged Skyler, but Maddox needed her to see he was okay.
Skyler waved from the backseat, where his uncle sat next him. His face was completely lit up.
“He really is going to be okay,” Brynn whispered.
“What about you?” Maddox asked. “Are you going to be okay?”
“What’s a broken heart, anyway?”
Brynn gently closed the door.The soft click echoed in the room that just minutes ago seemed so full, but was now empty.
It was all happening so fast, and her head and heart struggled to keep up. Most roller coasters lasted a matter of seconds. And then it was over.
This one went on for seconds, she got off, and next thing she knew she had taken off on another one, and every twist and turn carved out a part of who she used to be. Maddox and Skyler had rapidly filled those voids, and once this was all over she didn’t know what she would do with that.
She leaned back against the door and concentrated on the cool wood, the sensation anchoring her to the moment. “You got a call.”
“I did,” Maddox confirmed.
“They’re coming, aren’t they?”
