“Nox!” I grabbed his shoulders. “Where’s Frankie?”
“She’s hurt,” he gasped, out of breath. “Her ankle. She can’t walk.”
“Show us.”
Nox didn’t hesitate. He bolted back toward the truck, Jack and I right behind him. We piled in, Nox in the middle, and I took off in the direction he pointed—toward the old shed I’d spotted on the eastern edge of the property, a good distance from where we started.
The truck bounced over uneven ground as I pushed it harder. My hands gripped the wheel tight, every second stretching like an eternity. When we finally pulled up to the shed, I killed the engine and we all got out.
Frankie was sitting on the ground inside the shed, her back against the wall. When she saw me, her eyes filled with tears.
“Derek,” she whispered.
I dropped to my knees beside her. “Where does it hurt?”
“My ankle.” She gestured to her left foot, which was already swelling. “I tripped and twisted it. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“I know.” I gently examined her ankle, and she winced. “I don’t think it’s broken, but it’s a bad sprain.”
Jack pulled out his phone. “I’ll let everyone know we found them.” He looked at Nox. “Come on, kid. Let’s get you to the truck.”
Nox hesitated, looking at Frankie. Jack put a hand on Nox’s shoulder and guided him away, giving me and Frankie privacy.
I sat back on my heels, looking at my daughter. She was shivering, her jacket too thin for the cold morning. I shrugged off my leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I said quietly.
“I know.” Her voice was small. “I just wanted you and Mom in the same place. To work together. I thought it would show you how much you’re meant to be together.”
“That was a dangerous plan, Frankie.”
“I know.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
I reached out and wiped her tears with my thumb. “Why did you leave the bunny behind?”
She looked down at her hands. “Because I wanted you to know. That I remember.”
My chest tightened. “Remember what?”
“You.” She met my eyes. “I remember you giving it to me. I was really little, but I remember.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“When you came to fix the sink that day,” Frankie continued, “I just knew. Your voice was familiar, and when I saw you... I don’t know how to explain it. But I knew.”
“Frankie—”
“I knew you were my dad,” she said. “I’ve known the whole time.”
Her words hit me like a freight train. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I wanted you to tell me.” Her voice broke. “I wanted you to want to be my dad.”
I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight. She buried her face in my chest and sobbed.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered into her hair. “I’m so fucking sorry, Curly Sue.”
“Why did you leave?” she asked, her voice muffled. “Why didn’t you want me?”
