Page 121

“That sounds entirely possible.”

Lucy nods solemnly. “He says clouds are freeloaders.”

I stare ahead at the road.

Then, despite myself, I laugh.

The sound seems to surprise both of us, because Lucy smiles faintly in the rearview mirror.

The White house looks exactly the same as before, lawn unmowed, wind chimes rattling, flower boxes Sophie probably maintained with military precision before… this.

Nothing about it screams hidden disaster.

Mick opens the front door before we even knock. “There’s our girl,” he says warmly the second Lucy sees him.

She lights up immediately. “Grandpa!”

He scoops her up with a soft grunt and she clings to his neck, and some of the tension in my shoulders loosens despite everything.

Sophie appears right behind him drying her hands on a dish towel, smiling past the strain evident in her eyes. “Hi, sweetheart.”

Lucy immediately thrusts the picture at her grandma and launches into an explanation about why her horse has wings and can fly, more animated than I’ve ever seen her.

I stand awkwardly in the doorway while the grandparents smile and dutifully admire her artistry and imagination.

Then I notice something.

No Tom.

Automatically, I glance past them toward the kitchen. “Tom working late?” I ask carefully.

Sophie glances at me, then back to Lucy, as if hiding her expression. “He had something to handle this morning,” she says.

"He's barely sleeping," Mick says quietly, face grave.

Sophie nods, her voice a whisper as she tries to avoid Lucy hearing. "He's been out looking every day."

"Looking where?" I ask, adopting the same low tone.

"Anywhere he thinks she might be."

Lucy squirms down from Mick’s arms. “Aunt Laurel, can I stay?”

I hesitate. She’s safe with her grandparents, but what about her father?

But Lucy is already halfway toward the living room. “I wanna show Grandpa Mick my frog drawing.”

Mick brightens instantly. “Well now, that sounds important.”

“It has three tongues.”

“Wow.” He looks suitably amazed.

Lucy giggles.

Sophie looks at me then, apology in her expression. “We’ll give her dinner if you want.”

I glance toward the driveway one more time.