* * *
A sharp twingein Sara’s neck caused her to shift. She’d been dreaming of Ezreal . . . The slow beating of a heart against her ear and the hard muscles under her hands caused her to pop open her eyes. She sat up with a jerk. For a second she thought it must be Landon and almost scrambled back. But it was gentle Ezreal who leaned against the couch cushions. He was so tired that he hadn’t even stirred.
She eased off the couch and picked up a throw to spread over him. Her heart ached at the sight of him sleeping so peacefully, and she had to resist the temptation to crawl back onto the sofa with him. It’d been a late night, but she didn’t doubt her children would wake soon. Once her two rose it wouldn’t be long before the Diederik children would be up too.
Sara showered and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. While her griddle heated, she mixed some batter for pancakes. She had to assume that not having heard from Francie meant that everything was going well for Rafe and Ahri.
Her phone pinged and she pulled it from her apron pocket. It was from Tia. They had messaged several times since that warning text with no further word about Landon, but every time Sara received a message from her friend, her adrenaline rushed, and she had to fight down the instinct to run and hide.
Her phone pinged. She picked it up and found a text from Tia.
Just checking in again with some news.
Grinning, Sara replied.
Are you expecting again?
Bite your tongue! 3 kids are plenty.
There was a pause before Tia’s following text came in.
He called the house again.
For a second, Sara worried she might throw up. Had it just been last night that she’d been thinking she might get her dream of a normal life?
UGH Why won’t he leave us alone?
Just keep lying low, and he’ll give up. Maybe he’ll find a girlfriend.
Like Sara would wish that on any woman. But she doubted it anyway. Landon was possessive, and he hated not getting what he wanted. But she kept the thought to herself.
What are you doing this morning?
Cooking breakfast for a crowd. Janna and Brand had friends stay the night. The parents are my neighbors and should be over soon. It’s a nice way to start the day.
I wish we could do that kind of thing again. We miss you.
I’ll never come back to Seattle. Too many bad memories.
I understand. Your mother called the other day and asked if I’d heard from you.
Her mother asking after her was as alien a concept as Landon looking for Sara to apologize. What was really going on? A tiny part of her worried that her mother might be ill, but a big part of her knew the woman would never reach out.
When Sara had needed help to get her divorce while Landon was incarcerated for attacking the children, all her mother had done was try to talk her into staying with him, even after Sara had shown her the pictures of both Janna and Brand’s bruises. When her mother had failed to come to the defense of her grandchildren, Sara had washed her hands of the woman.
A new thought struck her, sending a chill down her spine. Could Landon be trying to get to her through her mother? Sara was suddenly glad that she hadn’t told Tia where she lived or even what part of the country she was in.
You didn’t tell her anything about me did you?
Of course not.
Not even that we’re in touch?
There was a pause before Tia finally responded. Sara held her breath as she quickly flipped the pancakes.
I don’t think so.
Sara groaned.
