Page 6 of Second Chances

“Who?” he asked, glancing around.

“Conner James.” She drew out the name, and he held in a chuckle.

“Is he the reason you’re running away?”

“I’m not running away.” She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m going to my MeMa’s house.” She pointed to a large home less than a block away.

“By yourself?” He glanced back at the pizzeria, hoping her parents would come along soon.

“I’m old enough to.” She raised her little chin in the air in a challenge. “Even if Conner James doesn’t think so.”

“Course you are, but maybe now that it’s dark, it would be best if you told your parents before you head out on your own. I’d hate for them to worry about where you went off to.”

He could see her dark eyes dart back to the pizzeria, then she tucked her little bottom lip in between her teeth and winced slightly.

“Want me to walk you back?” He held out his hand for hers.

As if she realized what she was doing for the first time, she took a step back. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

“And that is a great rule,” he agreed. “My name is Todd.”

Her eyes narrowed. “No, it’s not. I know Todd. You’re not him,” she accused.

He smiled. “There could be more than one Todd out there.”

She seemed to think about this for a moment. “Are there more Simonas?”

“Is that your name?” he asked. She nodded quickly. “Then, yes, I’m sure there are. What are your parents’ names?”

She seemed to think about this. “Mommy.”

He smiled. “See? How many other Mommies are there out there?”

She rolled her eyes. “Her name isn’t Mommy, it’s…” She seemed to think about it. “Olivia.”

He nodded. “Simona and Olivia. I bet they are really common names just like Todd. How about we head back and find your mom? I bet she’s real worried about you.”

She squished up her mouth and then nodded and took his hand.

When they stepped in the door, his waitress walked over to him.

“I thought you’d skipped out on the bill,” she said cheerfully. Since she’d been flirting with him earlier, he smiled.

“Just catching a runaway. Happen to know where Simona’s mother Olivia is?” he asked.

The waitress knelt down and tapped Simona’s nose. “Running off again?”

“Conner James is a jerk,” Simona said with a sigh, causing the waitress to chuckle.

“Olivia is in the back.” She motioned to a smaller area in the back of the pizzeria. “Jet-black hair, larger version of…” She rustled Simona’s hair. “Can’t miss her.” She turned to go, then asked. “Want another beer?”

“No, thanks. But if you could box up the rest of my pie, I’ll take it with me.” He handed her a credit card. “Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” The woman turned and left.

“What do you say we go have a talk with your mom?” he asked Simona. He wanted to berate the woman for leaving her child alone for so long. Anything could have happened to the child. Over the past decade, he’d seen the horrors that man could do. Even to the innocent.

When he spotted the dark-haired woman sitting and listening to a blonde woman, he cleared his throat.