So much for cool, calm and collected.
The word was sharp, followed by more muttered cursing that was slightly muffled like he’d pulled the phone away from his mouth. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m two hours away on a job. She wasn’t supposed to drop them off until six and I thought I’d be back by then. Fucking hell.”
“It’s okay. They’re okay. I just wanted you to know they’re safe.”
“Thank you. Jesus, thank you for checking on them.” His voice was rough, stressed in a way I’d never heard before. “My parents can’t get them, my mom just had day surgery this morning. I can try to find someone but?—”
“I can watch them,” I said before he could finish. “Until you get home. If that’s okay with you.”
His voice was shaky with relief when he said, “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose but?—”
“I’m sure. We’ll be fine. They can hang out at my place, or I can take them into your house if you tell me where you keep a spare key.”
“There’s one under the planter by the front door. The big terracotta one on the left.” He paused and through the line, a truck engine rumbled. “I’m leaving now. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
“Take your time. Drive safe. We’re not going anywhere.”
“Thank you, Emily. Seriously. I owe you.” Another pause. “Can I get your number? I’ll text you mine so you can reach me if anything comes up.”
My heart did a weird little flip. “Yeah. Of course.” I rattled off my number and he repeated it back.
“Okay. I’ve got it. I’ll text you in a second. And Emily?” His voice softened slightly. “Thank you. Really.”
“No problem. We’ll see you soon.”
I hung up and immediately looked down at the girls, who were still watching me with those wide, worried eyes. “Okay. Your dad’s on his way home. He said there’s a key under the big planter, so we’re going to go inside, and you guys can show me where everything is. Sound good?”
“You’re staying with us?” Alice’s voice was small but hopeful.
“I sure am.” I held out both hands. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
They each grabbed a hand, and I led them up to the front door. Sure enough, the key was exactly where Cam had said it would be. I unlocked the door and ushered them inside, my phone buzzing in my pocket as we crossed the threshold.
A text from an unknown number:
This is Cam. Thank you again. Text me if you need anything.
I saved his contact and slipped my phone back in my pocket, turning my attention to the two little girls who were watching me like I might disappear if they looked away.
“Alright,” I said, setting my purse down by the door. “Who’s hungry?”
CAM
The steering wheel creaked under my grip as I hit redial for the eighth time. Ninth? I’d lost count somewhere around exit 47.
Straight to voicemail. Again.
“Natascha, call me back. Now.” I ended the call and threw my phone into the passenger seat, both hands back on the wheel before I could do something stupid like chuck it out the window.
Two hours. I was two hours away from my daughters who’d been dropped off at an empty house like a pair of packages left on a doorstep. Two hours of driving while my brain conjured up every nightmare scenario known to man.
They could have wandered off looking for me. Could have tried to go to a neighbor’s house and knocked on the wrong door. Could have been sitting on that porch while some creep drove by and saw two little girls alone, unprotected, vulnerable.
My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal.
The phone rang and I grabbed it so fast I nearly swerved into the next lane.
Not Natascha. Emily.
