April’s eyes went wide. She reached into the jar, pulled it back out, and slapped the hundred on the counter.
“I’m not taking that.”
“What? I’m just tipping you in advance. I plan on coming in here every day.” He planted his finger on the middle of the bill and pushed it across the counter. Then he picked up the coffee mug and carried it to the nearest empty table.
April watched him, shaking her head, until the next customer walked in the door.
True to his word, Shane returned to Riversong every day. His order was always the same and she always asked what he wanted anyway, claiming she never remembered. As the tension eased between April and Shane, Shane started flirting with her and she flirted back in the sexy, snarky way that drove him insane. After a few weeks, Sonny eased up on the death rays he shot Shane’s way.
Just when he thought they might have their second chance, the drive-by happened and April changed. Even though she was back at Riversong every day, she closed herself off inside.
Shane glanced at the boy through the rearview mirror. He was quietly looking out the window. Kevin was almost never this still, and not for this long.
“Are you sure you want to hiremefor a bodyguard?” Shane teased.
“Yup.”
“Maybe your mom should have a say in who’s guarding her. She might want someone else.”
Kevin turned away from the window, caught Shane’s eye in the rearview, and smiled. “No, she likes you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Whenever we’re going to see you, she always makes sure to fix her hair extra nice.”
“Oh really?”
“Yup.” Kevin nodded with all the confidence in the world.
Shane grinned and shook his head as he pushed down any stirring hope. He went back to focusing on what Kevin overheard, trying to piece it together. Shane knew April had been thriving out on her own years ago. Then something happened that sent her back home to Lyons. Something bad? Something she was afraid had caught up with her?
They pulled into Riversong’s parking lot. Shane was determined to find out what had April spooked enough to want to take Kevin and run again, leaving behind everyone else she cared about.
SIX
April squeezedthe bridge of her nose as she watched Riversong's parking lot through the front windows, waiting for Shane to bring her son back to her. She replayed the last hour in her head. The way Pirogue had tried to handle her with kid gloves, right up until she got the call telling her that Kevin was safe. Then, he went right back to insinuating that she was a bad mother, and worse—that Kevin was a bad kid.
"He's still suspended three days for fighting," Pirogue had said.
April wasn't about to stand for that.
"Since this is a Thursday, how about two of those suspension days are Saturday and Sunday? I'll keep him home tomorrow, but I'm not letting him get three days behind in school and flunk his finals."
"April, that's not how this is going to work. You're lucky it's not for the rest of the school year, to be honest."
She'd stopped, turned, and squared her shoulders. "You know what? I should sue the school for losing my kid. Kevin was still under your care. He could have been kidnapped. He could have gotten hit by a car. Anything could have happened, and you know it."
"Fine," Pirogue had sputtered, his face turning red. "He can come back on Monday. I don't want to see him—or you, or your lawyer—until then."
April had smiled. "The feeling's mutual."
It wasn't until she'd driven away that the tears started. Not for Pirogue—he wasn't worth the salt in her tears. She was crying because of how afraid she'd been when she looked in that detention room and Kevin wasn't there.
This could have been so much worse. This could have been the end of my world.
The familiar whisper crept in.It's only a matter of time.
She'd had to pull over, hands shaking too hard to drive safely. The memories hit like a physical blow, dragging her back to a frantic packing session and a desperate escape from Vegas. She felt the same fear, the same irresistible desire to run until she found safety again—not just for herself, but for her entire family.
