Her eyes widened.
They were at the gates of Circle Pond, the development etched into the recesses of her mind like a half-remembered dream.
Without thinking, she leaned forward. “Seven, two, three, nine.”
Nolan looked at her. “What?”
“The gate code,” Mia said, then gave a soft snort. “I don’t know if it still works.”
“Worth a shot,” Nolan said.
He rolled down the window and tapped the numbers into the keypad.
The gate opened.
“Well, that’s not very secure,” Milly stated as they drove through.
Mia’s breath caught as more memories hit her.
It had grown. There were a few more houses scattered around the pond. The trees were taller. But the bones of the place were the same.
As they rounded the far end of the pond, she looked up at the tall house looming in front of them.
“That’s William’s house,” Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s where I lived until...”
She swallowed hard as the memory hit her so hard she didn’t even realize she’d sucked in a breath or let out a small sob. Didn’t notice the tears rolling down her cheeks until Lila’s hand found hers.
“No, Daddy, don’t go.” Little Mia’s arms reached out. “Don’t go, Daddy.”
Her father’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. The haunted look on his face as a young US Marshal led him away.
“It was a young Dan,” she sniffed, turning to Milly. “Dan has been with David for twenty-eight years?”
Milly gave her a tight smile and nodded. “Yes. Dan was fresh out of the Special Forces. He was one of the youngest ever. But at twenty-one, he was injured and couldn’t go back, so he joined the US Marshals. David was his first...” She paused. “And his last assignment.”
“Mom,” Lila’s voice was soft as she handed Mia a tissue. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” Mia sniffed again, wiping at her cheeks. “Just all the memories coming back...”
“We don’t have to be here,” Lila said gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you...” She glanced to her right.
Mia followed her gaze to another house one property down from William’s.
Smaller than William’s but still beautiful. Colonial style with white columns.
“That’s my grandfather’s house,” Mia said, frowning as she looked at Lila. “Did you know?”
“Uh...” Lila blushed. “Aunt Eve and I may have been investigating your past...” She pulled a face.
Before Mia could respond, the front door of William’s house burst open.
William rushed out, followed by Julie. Both looked relieved to see them.
As William ushered them into the house, he told them that he’d told Julie everything. He wanted no more secrecy, as he felt it put their loved ones in danger.
Mia had to agree.
As they walked in, it was like coming home.
