“Winner’s choice. You’ll pick the prize and I’ll suffer.”
Even Maureen’s lips had twitched at that reply. “Don’t sound so cavalier,” she told Ryan. “Kennedy has yet to choose a destination that doesn’t excite you as much as it does her.”
Ryan grinned. “True. But I’ve got to seem humble.”
“Humility is not your strong suit,” his father pointed out, straight-faced, as his wife spooned out second portions of stew. Kennedy hadn’t done much damage with her first portion.
“Touché, Dad,” Ryan had replied. “You got me on that one.”
The light banter had continued throughout the rest of the meal, after which they’d enjoyed dessert and the latest family-friendly movie streaming on Netflix.
Nonetheless, when it came to bedtime, Kennedy’s tension and anxiety screamed to the forefront.
“I don’t think I can sleep,” she managed, her voice trembling. “When I try, all I do is cry or have nightmares.”
Ryan had stood, exchanging a quick glance with his mom before addressing Kennedy. “How about if I help Aunt Maureen and Uncle Colin clean up while you change into your PJs, and then I hang out in your room for a little while until you feel sleepy?”
A flicker of hope. “Would you?”
“My pleasure.” Ryan waved her toward the stairs and rolled up his sleeves, heading for the kitchen. “Be up in a minute.”
Kennedy nodded, walking up the steps with a heavy tread.
Maureen watched her disappear from view. “Every day, my heart breaks for her all over again,” she murmured to Ryan as she joined him at the sink, and Colin carried in the dishes.
“Mine, too.” Ryan’s hand paused on the faucet. “I’m sorry it’s going to be a late night. I still have social media stuff to go over with you. But right now?—”
“Right now, Kennedy needs you,” Maureen finished for him. She patted her son’s arm. “I’ll be fine. I’ll fill Dad in and put up my feet while you sit with Kennedy. You and I will talk afterward.”
Ten minutes later, Ryan was sitting beside Kennedy, waiting while she undid the clasp on her pendant and placed it on the night table beside her. She then lay back, staring silently at the ceiling.
“It was a rough day, wasn’t it, sunshine?” Ryan asked gently, tucking a strand of hair off her face. “Getting that phone call and having to prepare?”
“Talking to Claire was easy,” she replied. “She’s wonderful and the whole claircognizant thing is amazing. But thinking about the interview with Agent Barkley—it’s really freaking me out.” She turned her head toward Ryan, and there were tears glistening on her cheeks. “Claire says he’s nice, that he won’t upset me, at least any more than I already am. Do you think she’s right?”
Ryan took Kennedy’s small hand in his. “Claire is usually right, so yes, it’ll be the way she says.”
“She believes Mommy is alive. I think she’s right about that, too.”
A hard swallow. “I agree. But don’t mention any of that to Agent Barkley.”
“I won’t,” Kennedy replied, shaking her head. “Claire already told that to me and explained why. She’s right. He’ll think that’s just wishful thinking on my part. Or he might think I know something I’m not saying.” She smiled through her tears. “She and I both know that you’re trying to beat the FBI. That’s just who you are.”
Ryan threw back his head and laughed. “So the two of you are gossiping about me, huh? Should I worry?”
“Uh-uh.” Kennedy looked at him with wisdom and maturity beyond her years. “She gets that same expression on her face when she talks about you that you get when you talk about her. At first, I thought that was yucky. But now, I think it’s kind of romantic.”
“Do you?” Ryan’s chest tightened at the tenderness of Kennedy’s young heart. “I’ll tell you a secret: So do I.”
“I’m glad. She’s really special. And not just because she’s a claircognizant. She cares about people. She cares about you.” Kennedy leaned forward conspiratorially. “Be good to her. She’s what Mommy calls ‘a keeper.’”
Ryan’s lips twitched, and he ruffled Kennedy’s hair. “Your mommy’s right. And don’t worry. I’m not dumb enough to let Claire go. So you can get used to having her around.”
“Good.” Kennedy settled back against the pillows. “Ryan—I know I keep asking you this, but you’re going to find Mommy, right?”
“Right,” Ryan confirmed. “Like you guys said, I plan to win this contest. So trust me. I’ll bring your mommy home.”
Kennedy’s eyelids began to droop. “I’m glad I have you and Aunt Maureen to watch out for me—until Mommy’s home. Then she’ll take over, the way she always does.”
