This time, David opened his arms and Andrea stepped into his embrace. “You aren’t alone. I’m here for you, and Ethan and Pastor John are happy for you to call them. They might be able to help you figure out what to do. Just remember, the boys won’t hate you for protecting them. That’s what moms do.”
Andrea’s deep, shuddering breath, made his heart ache. She’d been to hell and back. And now, in the one place she should have been safe, her worst nightmare was slowly coming to life.
Chapter 18
Andrea and the boys waited in her truck while David checked her house for any sign of Scotty. It had been a long, emotionally draining day, and she was relieved to be home.
“What’s David doing?” Andy asked.
“He’s making sure no one’s hanging around the backyard.”
“Why?”
Andrea frowned. “Because he cares about us.” She peered through the windshield, waiting for David to reappear.
“No one’s checked our house before,” Andy said with growing suspicion. “Is Dad here?”
Charlie woke up from a light sleep and rubbed his eyes. “Where’s Dad?”
Andrea looked in the rearview mirror. Charlie looked so innocent with his sleep-tousled hair and big brown eyes. When they’d left Portland, those same eyes were full of fear. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him, but she didn’t know how to tell him about his dad.
“Your dad’s not at our house,” she said softly. “Have you got everything you took to Mr. Jessop’s? We’re going inside soon.” She opened the driver’s door and smiled at Andy. “The security lights are bright. We should have installed them sooner.”
Andy didn’t return her smile. “What aren’t you telling us?”
“It’s nothing to worry about. Let’s go inside before we all fall asleep.”
David met them at the front door. “Everything looks okay.”
“Thanks for checking.” She waited on the veranda while the boys went inside. “Andy asked about his dad. I told him he wasn’t at our house.”
“He must have realized something was different.”
“I hate lying to him, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“You could talk to Ethan or Pastor John?”
Andrea leaned against the wall. “You’ve suggested that a few times.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Maybe you should consider it.”
“I guess I could. When are you flying back to Manhattan?”
“I’m supposed to leave tomorrow afternoon, but I canceled my flight. I thought you could do with some moral support.”
Relief surged through her. “Was Peter okay with you not going back?”
“He was more focused on his wedding but, yes, he was okay with me working from Sapphire Bay.”
Just knowing David would be here if she needed him made her feel better. “Would you like a cup of coffee before you go back to the inn?”
“Coffee would be good.” He looked through the open front door. “Will you be all right staying here with the boys?”
“We should be. The security lights and extra locks make me feel safer.”
David handed her the business card Scotty had given him. “He said he wouldn’t approach you or the boys while he’s here. If you change your mind about calling him, you’ll need this.”
Without looking at the card, she slipped it into her pocket. “We’d better go inside before the boys wonder where we are.”
