A soft laugh escaped with his smile. “Sorry.”
I tossed him a grin as I rustled the top of his hair. “Remember your manners.”
I hopped out and made my way around to the curb where Hollie and her daughters approached, a rolling suitcasethump-thumpingover the cracks on the sidewalk behind them.
I lifted my hand. “Hey, you must be Hollie. I’m Jesse.”
Even though she looked tired, her expression shimmered with warmth as she extended her hand. Her fingers were slight and soft, her shake firm. “Jesse, I’m so sorry about the delay. Thank you for coming to get us.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble. I’m sure you guys are ready to be out of the airport though.”
Her head tipped back with exasperation. “Beyondready.”
“I can take that.” As I reached for the handle of their suitcase, the younger girl pressed forward, standing directly in front of me with a look of awe on her face.
“Wow.” She breathed and held out the word. “That is so pretty.”
Before I realized what she was staring at, she tapped my belt buckle.
The older girl gasped. “Nora! No!”
Hollie sucked a loud breath and slipped her arms down around the girl’s shoulders, pulling her back before she could tap it again. “No, ma’am.” She murmured over her daughter’s ear. “Nora, that was very rude.”
A laugh bubbled out of my throat.
Nora whispered, still pointing, completely undeterred by the scolding. “But, Mommy, there’s a horsey on it.”
Cade sputtered a laugh, blocking it with the back of his hand.
Hollie looked up at me, one hand reaching up to clasp her burning cheek. Her brown eyes were wide with horror. “I’msosorry.”
I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face if I tried. “Are you kidding? That made my entire day.” I grabbed the sides of my bronze buckleand looked down at Nora. “My grandpa made this buckle and he would be very glad to hear that you liked it.”
“Hemadeit?”
“Yep.” My gaze flicked back to Hollie, whose cheeks were now a furious shade of red, accentuating the color of her embarrassed smile.
Hollie bit her bottom lip and shook her head. “Well, these are my daughters, Izzy and Nora. We clearly need to work on our introductions.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” I placed my hand on Cade’s shoulder. “This is Cade.” I grabbed their suitcase handle again, lifting the wheels off the concrete. The girls scurried behind me, following Cade’s lead when he opened the right rear door and waved them in. Without hesitation, they piled into the back seat, Nora leading the way.
A smile pulled at my cheeks. I’d met them all of thirty seconds ago and already knew exactly who the pistol in the family was—Nora. Her cheeks and eyes burned with a zeal for life and mischief. I pulled open the front passenger’s door for Hollie. She gave a soft “thank you” in reply and just before Cade got in, I stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Gum, Cade.”
“Oh, right!” He turned on the ball of his foot and tore off toward the trash can. I made my way around the truck bed and slipped into the driver’s seat.
Hollie pulled her seat belt as her eyes roamed out the window. I threw the truck into drive but held the brake as we waited for Cade to return.
Every moment after followed in slow motion.
Long seconds dragged out—a chaotic mesh of light and sound.
Cade tripped over the curb, his arms flailing to stay upright.
When he righted himself on the sidewalk, his spine snapped ramrod straight and his hands flew to his face. A warning sounded deep in my gut before I even knew why. Hollie released her seatbelt, letting it recoil. Before I’d made heads or tails of what was happening, her hand had moved to the door handle.
Because my son had turned to face us.
His hands wrapped around his throat, his crimson face twisted in terror.
