Sadie bumped Avery’s hip. “Penny for your thoughts?”
Avery was slow to glance up, and when she did, her brows were knitted together. “Why do you think Mom’s back?”
Man, that was a loaded question. And even though it made this intangible fear clench at her belly, she was careful to keep her features neutral. “I’m not sure, Ave. But your dad will find out.”
The memory of Eastern after Jamie had left this morning almost made her shudder. He’d been all rage. She’d never seen him like that before. Like he was ready to go to war for his daughter.
It wasn’t so much anything he’d said, more the hard line of his jaw. The way he’d barely looked at anyone before leaving, both stuck in his head and trying to tamp down a fury he wanted no one else to see or hear.
“I don’t want to live with her again.”
At the small crack in Avery’s voice, Sadie’s heart fractured. They stopped in front of the school, and Sadie crouched down opposite Avery. “Hey. Look at me, baby girl.”
It took a moment, but when Avery finally shifted her gaze from the pavement to Sadie, there were tears in her eyes.
Sadie grazed her cheek. “I may not know what your mother being here means, but you know what Idoknow?”
Avery shook her head, her ponytail flicking behind her.
“That you are loved by the greatest protector in this town, and that love is fierce. Your father will do everything in his power to keep you. He willfightfor you, and if I wanted anyone fighting for me, it would be him.”
Avery sniffed, blinking back the tears, but one still fell down her cheek. “Heispretty good at getting what he wants.”
“Oh, he’s better than good. He’s the best.” She wiped the tear from Avery’s cheek. “And no matter what, he’s not going anywhere. And neither am I or your uncles. You’ve got a whole army of people who love you and will fight for you.”
Avery flung her arms around Sadie’s shoulders and dug her head into her neck. “I love you, Sadie.”
“I love you too, baby girl. So much.”
Sadie held her for long seconds, not letting go until Avery was ready to step back.
“Are you going to be okay today?” Sadie asked gently. “If not, I could call your dad and ask if it’s okay for us to have a sneaky girls’ day.”
Avery chuckled, and that sound was everything. “That’s okay. Miss Davies is choosing groups for a project today, so I need to be here.”
Always so conscientious. “Okay. But if you need me or your dad, you go to the office and ask them to call one of us, okay? We’ll be here in minutes.”
Avery nodded and gave her one more hug before turning and walking up the steps.
Sadie was still watching the school doors after they closed, and even then, it took her a while to head back to her car.
On her way to Sugar and Spice, her mind was still on Avery. On the sadness in her eyes. The fear that she could be put back into her mother’s custody.
Pain rippled through her. It must have been really bad after Jamie had fired her, if the fear on Avery’s face this morning was anything to go by. If Sadie hadn’t left town with Scott, was there a chance Jamie would have let her back into Avery’s life? Probably not. But that didn’t stop the guilt from sinking its claws into her.
She pulled up in front of Sugar and Spice. Okay, this morning had been a mess, but Avery was at school and hopefully feeling better, and Eastern was dealing with Jamie. She had to focus on the bakery.
With a deep breath, she looked up at the building. The new display case glass would be going in sometime within the next week, then they’d be ready to open again.
A tinge of unease settled in her belly at the prospect of opening the store before the culprit of the break-in was found. But honestly, she was losing hope that the personwouldbe found. How could they, when she hadn’t seen them and they’d left no evidence?
With a sigh, she got out of the car and entered the shop. She’d just closed the door behind her when a rustling noise sounded from the kitchen. For a moment, fear rendered her utterly still. Her breathing shifted from a normal rhythm to short, shallow pants.
Memories of stepping inside here to find the place trashed flashed in her mind. Of hearing something in the kitchen, then being hit.
She was about to turn around and leave when her grandmother bustled past the open kitchen door.
The air whooshed from Sadie’s chest. Oh, Jesus, she was a mess.
