Amy spent the next forty minutes being questioned by multiple police officers. After telling the Klickitat County Sheriff everything Eddie confessed to her, she was told that was all for now, but she couldn’t leave.
As she stood in the shadows of the front porch, avoiding the paramedics, an officer approached her with a crying toddler and asked if she could help comfort the little girl.
Cassey.Amy’s lungs seized.
Amy took the beautiful, blond-haired, blue-eyed toddler in her arms. Her heart pounded so hard, she thought it might burst.This is Ben’s daughter.
She bounced the child and made soft soothing sounds as she walked away from the crowd of officers. If Eddie and Clara had never taken Cassey anywhere, this crowd of people—not to mention the strobing lights—could easily overwhelm her.
She studied the toddler’s face. Not only were her deep, blue eyes the same color as her father’s, she had the same shape around the eyes as Ben, and her curly, blond hair was the same color as Melanie’s. Amy hugged the baby close.
I did it!She’d found Ben’s daughter and she couldn’t wait to show him his beautiful little girl.
Not long after Amy got Cassey settled, a female officer approached her saying Clara Green wanted to speak to her. The officer took Cassey from her and motioned for her to follow another officer, who led her to the kitchen where the sheriff questioned Clara.
Amy was grateful Eddie wasn’t in the room. She never wanted to have to face him again.
She spent the next ten minutes listening to a tearful Clara tell her about Cassey’s routine, including her favorite toys, blanket, foods, and lullabies.
“The bags I packed... should have everything Cassey needs.”
Amy was glad to hear they still called her Cassey. It would make one thing easier for this poor little girl, who would struggle enough having the only two people she’d known for the past year disappear from her life.
When Amy left Clara, she went in search of Cassey and was told she was with the paramedics. She’d started to make her way to the ambulance when a familiar voice called her name. Her heart surged in her chest. She turned to see Ben running toward her.
He pulled her into his arms. His crushing embrace felt so good. So right. Warmth radiated through Amy and she found it difficult to breathe. She didn’t know if it was because he hugged her or because he did it so tightly, but she never wanted him to let go.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered against her hair.
His breath raised goosebumps on her scalp. “I don’t think I would have been if you hadn’t sent help. Thank you for rescuing me, again.”
She thought briefly about giving him that “thank you” kiss but decided she didn’t want an audience.
When Ben finally released her, Robert stepped in and gave her a quick hug. “I want to see you in my office first thing Monday morning. We need to have a serious talk about your job responsibilities.”
She gave him a sheepish smile. Turning back to Ben, she took his hand. “Come with me.”
She led him to the ambulance where the female officer stood with Cassey in her arms.
“Ben, I’d like you to meet—”
He gasped. “Casandra.”
The officer turned toward Ben and waited as he approached.
He reached out and gently stroked Cassey’s cheek. “My princess—” His voice broke as he took Cassey in his arms and held her tight. Tears ran down his cheeks.
The toddler fussed and pushed back. When he held her away from him, she studied his face.
Would she recognize her father? It’s a good thing he’d shaved and cut his hair. He would have frightened her with the full beard he had a few weeks ago.
The joy on Ben’s face blurred as tears filled Amy’s eyes.
