“Daddy!” Portia screams, the sound piercing.
“Stop it,” I softly tell her. “Daddy has to go find Harley. He’s in a rush. He’ll be back soon.”
“Why does Daddy hate me?”
“He doesn’t.” I crouch down with a sigh, taking her little arms and encouraging her to face me. “He’s just scared.”
“Why?” Portia demands, her blue gaze fierce, her perfect little face scrunched in confused annoyance… and distress. She’s freaking out that Daddy’s mad at her or something.
I stare into those eyes, so like Carson’s. Yet she’s got my fight, my spirit.
Brushing my thumb across her cheek, I then stand and take her hand in mine. Leading her into the corner of the living room, I sit in the armchair near the fireplace and lift her onto my lap.
It’s awkward, partly because of my big belly and partly because she’s all stiff and tense, obviously wanting to fight me and bolt out the back door after her father.
“Just listen to me for a second, okay?”
She huffs, her bottom lip sticking out.
I brush my hand over her thick black hair and softly explain, “Daddy’s worried because Harley ran away.”
“Again?” Portia rolls her eyes.
“Baby,” I softly reprimand. “She ran away because you said those mean things to her. You hurt her feelings, and now she’s hiding.”
Portia’s nose wrinkles, but then she sighs. “Well, have you looked in the closet? Behind the coats? That’s where we found her last time. Or maybe under the bed. She loves under the bed.”
“Yes, we’ve checked those places, and the boys are looking again, just to be sure. But…” I glance to my right, quickly spotting Blake. She’s hovering near enough to hear this conversation, looking sick and distressed.
Her daughter’s out there too, so I shouldn’t be mad at her, but part of me wants to unleash a little hellfire her way.
You said you’d look for my kid!
You got distracted by a phone call? What the hell is your problem!
It’d be so easy to blame her for this, but it’s not actually her fault. My daughter is the one who likes to run, and she probably took Kendall with her… or Kendall followed her, and Harley was too upset to think straight and bring her little friend back inside.
Oh shit.
I hope they haven’t gone too far.
It’s freezing out there!
And she doesn’t have her coat. Or her beanie or gloves.
She’ll be so cold and?—
“Mommy?” Portia touches my cheek. “Why are you crying?”
I blink, sucking in a quick breath and swiping a thumb under my eye. “I guess I’m scared too.”
“But why?” Portia’s face bunches in confusion again.
“Because Harley isn’t in the closet or under the bed.” A shuddering breath escapes me. “We think she went outside. Where it’s cold. And she might be lost, and we need to find her before she gets sick or too cold or?—”
“What?” Portia’s eyes round… and she’s finally getting it. “Is Harley okay?”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “Daddy’s gone to find her.” I give her a watery smile. “And we just have to hope and pray that he reaches her in time.”
