Shadows of You (Lost & Found #4)(31)

“Cady likes him,” I said, trying to avoid the subject.

“Well, my bestie certainly has good taste,” Maddie said as she pulled into the school parking lot.

As we slowed to a stop, Cady jumped up and down, waving maniacally. I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. It was the first one since Steven and Tyson had shown up. “I think she’s excited you’re picking her up.”

Maddie chuckled and jumped out of her SUV. Cady ran straight at her, and Maddie scooped her up in her arms. Cady giggled. “Today is the bestest. Charlie’s dad took us to school, and you’re picking me up. I gots all my Hartleys.”

My chest constricted. This. This was why I couldn’t rip Cady out of her life here. She’d lain down roots. Built a community. Had a support system.

Maddie squeezed her tightly. “You’re the bright spot in my day, too. You ready to go?”

I grabbed Cady’s booster seat and got to work installing it in Maddie’s SUV.

“I’m the readiest. Charlie already left with his dad.”

“Then it looks like we can hit the road,” Maddie said, setting her down.

Katelyn led her daughter by us, sending Maddie and me a dirty look. I tried my best to ignore her as I got Cady settled.

“What’s that woman’s deal?” Maddie whispered as we headed for our respective doors.

I shook my head. “I have no idea. She’s hated me since day one, and her daughter is awful to Cady.”

Maddie scowled. “I forgot you’d said that. It’s still bad?”

I nodded. “Unfortunately.”

“It’s depressing that some people never grow out of the mean-girl stage and then teach it to their children.”

I sighed as I slid into the SUV. “It’s exhausting.”

“What’s sausting?” Cady piped in.

I should’ve known better than to say anything around tiny ears. “Cleaning up all of Mabel’s poop.”

Cady giggled. “I’m not sorry I missed that.”

Maddie snorted. “I bet.”

Cady chattered on and on about her day as we headed home, telling us who she and Charlie had played with at recess, the book their teacher read to them, and the art project of the day. I didn’t think she stopped for a breath until Maddie parked at our house.

“Can you come in and play, Maddie?” Cady asked hopefully.

“Sorry, bestie. I gotta go train a dog right now. But let’s have a girls’ night soon. We can do glitter manicures.”

“Yes!” Cady cheered.

“Thanks again for the ride. I really appreciate you going out of your way.”

Maddie just smiled at me. “I love getting a little extra time with you two. I’ll be by in the morning to get you.”

I tried not to let the feeling of being a burden well up. “So glad you came into The Brew looking for a job.”

Maddie shot me a dirty look. “Do not make me cry, Aspen Barlow.”

A laugh bubbled out of me, and I held up both hands. “I’d never.”

She pulled me in for a quick hug. “Love you.”

That burn along my sternum was back, spreading and taking over. “Love you, too.”

But I wasn’t sure I’d earned the right to say those words to Maddie. Not when I was keeping so many secrets. I released her with guilt swirling around me and forced myself out of her SUV.

I glanced around my property, a shiver cascading through me. I had the sudden bizarre wish that Roan was still here. His big, burly presence made me feel safe in a way I almost resented. I’d been going it alone for years and worked hard to ensure Cady and I were safe.

Opening the back door, I unhooked Cady’s booster seat straps. “Ready for a snack?”

“Obvi.”

My brows hit my hairline. “Obvi?”

She grinned. “Drew says it a lot.”

I could only imagine all the things Charlie’s older brother said. I only hoped Cady wouldn’t accidentally drop an F-bomb in the first grade.

Cady hopped out of the back seat and ran toward the house.

“Just leave the booster since I’m driving you tomorrow,” Maddie said.

“Okay, thanks. Have a great training session.”

“I’m meeting with a chihuahua with aggression issues.”

“Oh, boy,” I muttered.

Maddie’s eyes filled with humor. “He loves the wife but growls and bares his teeth whenever the husband gets near her.”

I chuckled. “Have fun with that.”

“I always do.”

I shut the door and headed for the front porch. Checking the screen door, I pulled out the tiny piece of wood. Then I set to work unlocking all the locks. Each one sounded like a cannon going off. They used to make me feel safe. Secure. But now I felt exposed. As if a dozen of them wouldn’t protect me.

Cady charged inside the moment the door was open and began her lovefest with Chauncey. I quickly closed the door and relocked it, stepping to the window to survey the drive. I watched and waited as Maddie drove off. No silver van appeared. But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t.

“Mama?”

I turned at the sound of Cady’s voice.

Her face scrunched. “You okay?”