Quickly, she crossed into the kitchen to see her grandmother kneading dough. Despite everything, a smile stretched Sadie’s lips because the sight of her grandmother baking in this store brought back all her favorite childhood memories.
Her grandmother glanced up. “Sadie, honey, perfect timing. Could you take the cookies out of the oven?”
“Sure.” She kissed her grandmother on the cheek before turning to the oven. “Is this for orders?”
“Yes, I got quite a few thanks to your alert to the locals.”
Sadie grinned as she took out the steaming-hot sheet of cookies. She’d gotten word around town that the kitchen was functional again, so they could do deliveries until the storefront reopened. “Well, people love your baking.”
Her grandmother smiled, but the expression dipped a fraction when she saw Sadie’s face. “What’s wrong?”
Oh, man. Sometimes she forgot about her grandmother’s freaky ability to know when something was wrong.
She opened her mouth to say “Nothing,” but her grandmother shook her head. “Don’t lie to me, Sadie Ann.”
Jeez, now she was being middle-named.
She sighed. “Jamie’s back.”
Her grandmother stopped kneading the dough. “No.”
“Yes. Eastern’s meeting with her this morning. He might already be done.”
“And you’re worried.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’m worried about Avery. She was clearly scared when she saw her mother. She thinks she might have to go back to her. She deserves stability. To have a happy and safe childhood.”
“Eastern has custody, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. And if she wants Avery back, he’ll fight her.”
Her grandmother wiped her hands on her apron before stepping over to Sadie and cupping her cheek. “That child is so lucky to have her fatherandyou. It will all be okay.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I have faith.”
Maybe that was it. Her fear for Avery was messing with her faith that good would prevail. “I told Avery it would all be okay, but a part of me is still scared.”
“You didn’t lie. Deep down, you know it will be. She didn’t show up at her custody hearing. She lost her. And now that Eastern has her, he won’t be letting go.” Her grandmother leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, Nan. I needed to hear that.” More than she probably knew. “I love you.”
“I love you too, darling.”
As her grandmother went back to her dough, Sadie pulled out her phone, unable to hold off the text any longer.
Sadie: How did it go with Jamie?
His response was instant.
Eastern: She wants Avery back.
Sadie’s pulse sped up, fear trickling into her veins as Eastern’s next text came through.
Eastern: She won’t get her.
Sadie: Is there anything I can do?
