“That’s not true, Julia. A certain tatted motorcyclist comes to mind. You two can even jump past the formalities and skip to the good part.”
She rolls her eyes. “Right. So, you’ll go nanny for the super-hot country music star and then go out with the sexy veterinarian after?”
“No. Everett doesn’t need my help with Quinn today. He already has plans.” I don’t tell her about the evaluation. He confided in me in private, and I was under the impression he didn’t want anyone to know. It’s not my news to share.
“It’s the start of the school play though, right? You’ll see him there?”
While I forced Everett’s hand to participate, I stand by my conviction that Quinn will love doing the play with him. Thefact that he roped me into it too was not something I expected. Honestly, if it weren’t for Brian’s involvement at the school, I’d be thrilled to help. I hate that I’ll have to see him there every Monday though.
“Don’t remind me. Do you think Henry will be okay doing it?”
“He will if you bring him this.” She hands me a banana.
We exchange a laugh as I stuff it in the side pocket of his backpack. “Good luck on your exam today.”
“Good luck with the play.”
He’s wearing my favorite jeans and green T-shirt when he walks into the gym holding Quinn’s hand. Their presence is a comfort after ending my day at the firm being accosted by my first disgruntled client. For the most part, the people Emma meet with are a delight. They show up on time, exchange polite conversation with me—usually about the weather—and disappear into her office. Not today. A woman barged out of the elevator demanding advice about her upcoming court-ordered mediation—something I’m not allowed to provide—while Emma was occupied with another appointment. I lost track of how long it took to get this woman to agree to a future meeting to discuss her concerns. I’m surprised I beat Everett and Quinn here after that.
A flood of memories and feelings from last night rush through me when our eyes meet. Everett’s lost his smile today. Dark circles ring his eyes—a clear indicator he stayed up all night—and the first thing my mind goes to is Quinn’s evaluation. It’s after play practice, and I can’t ask him about it with twenty unsupervised children staring at us.
That’s the situation I walked into when I stepped foot in this gym. And you’d think they’d be parkouring off the edge of the stage or participating in a massive game of tag. They’re silent.
“Where’s the drama lady?” Everett asks, cutting right to the point.
“Broken hip,” a familiar voice answers.
I stiffen.
“Mr. Dawson, Quinn, you made it!” Brian acknowledges them. Completely ignores me. I knew he would be difficult. I was hoping he wouldn’t bearound.
“What do you mean a broken hip?” Everett presses.
Mrs. Farris runs these plays. She’s in surprisingly good shape for being the oldest teacher at this school. The fact that she’s never married and lives alone might explain why she’s pushing seventy and still working here.
“Mrs. Farris fell down her stairs and broke her hip last night. She’s home with a concussion and awaiting surgery. She’ll be out at least two months. I’m trying to find a replacement, but it might be next week before I do. There wasn’t a single staff member who could arrange their schedule to accommodate with such short notice. I was hoping you could sing some songs with the kids today until I can figure things out?”
Everett bristles, and I don’t blame him. This is the last thing he needs on his plate.
“We’ve got it covered,” I speak for him. I don’t want him to have to worry about any of this. In a way, we both roped each other into this situation. But the least I can do is make it a decision he doesn’t regret.
When I look up, Brian is acknowledging me with a stare. “Summer, can I speak to you for a second?”
“You okay?” I double-check with Everett first.
He nods, so I follow Brian. My blood pressure riseswhen he leads me out of the gym and clear down the hallway to have this conversation.
“Wow. Drop the news on the poor guy and then ditch him in there with a room full of kids. Great plan.”
Brian stops and finally faces me. “Millie is gone.”
I don’t even have to hide my surprise.
“Wh-what do you mean,gone?” I hope the first sound I drug out didn’t give away that I know exactly where she went. That I drove up after dark and swiped her from the property we used to share.
“I heard something hit the garage door last night, so I went out to check on her and found a clump of hair and some… blood smeared on the driveway.”
I try to hold in the sigh that wants to fight its way out of my lungs. He didn’t see us. Everett’s shoulder must have rubbed against the cement when he rolled underneath the garage door.
