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Maverick pulls open the door.

Bella and Darren are on the other side. Bella’s eyes are rimmed with red from crying, while Darren’s expression is unreadable. Are they as nervous as I am?

“Good morning,” I greet.

“Good morning,” Bella says. She reaches into the large bag she’s carrying and withdraws a small box of muffins. “The girl at the coffee shop said they’re your favorite, Maverick.”

He releases his hold on the door and takes the muffins offered. “Carrot and cinnamon. Anastasia knows me well. Thank you. Come on in.” He steps to the side, releasing my hand just long enough to close the door.

“You’re welcome. It’s the least we could do, given how you took care of our Sadie.”

Took care of our Sadie. Those words burn a hole through my gut, and the way she says it has my anger growing. I’m not a child to be cared for. It was their children that I took care of.

Is that really how they see me?

Their Sadie?

If so, then why didn’t they even bother trying to find me? I was trapped in that cellar, terrified for my life, while they went right on living.

Maverick gently squeezes my hand, and I glance over to find him watching me. His expression is soft—understanding. I take a deep breath. I can do this.

Darren helps Bella out of her jacket, then hangs it on the back of a chair at the set table. Syrup, butter, and jelly already sit in the middle of it, as does a carafe of coffee and four mugs.

Once she is seated, he shrugs out of his own, then takes a seat after hanging it behind him. His hand goes to Bella’s back, and he rubs small circles to comfort her as they both turn in my direction.

“I’m going to put these in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.” Maverick squeezes my hand gently, then heads toward the kitchen. It takes everything in me to sit down instead of chasing after him.

“Sadie, I—” Bella stops speaking as tears slip down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’ve been crying all morning, and I just can’t seem to get a hold of myself.”

Darren drapes an arm around Bella’s shoulders. “It’s been a rough couple of months around our house,” he says. “Nothing compared to what you went through, of course, but I just wanted you to know that your absence has been felt.”

“Thank you. I’ve missed you guys, too,” I reply, though the words feel meaningless.

If they had told someone, would I have been found? Would I have been rescued?

If I had—I wouldn’t have met Maverick. That simple truth settles over me, eradicating every other what-if question in my mind.

Because, no matter what I went through, I’d do it all again because it brought me here.

To him.

The kitchen door swings open, and he carries out a tray boasting a platter of pancakes and four plates with eggs.

He carries it over to the table and unloads it carefully, then sets the tray aside before taking his seat next to me. While it smells delicious, my stomach is still a pit of knots. Maybe we should have offered to meet them at the coffee shop instead.

I bow my head. “Lord, thank You for this meal we are about to eat, and for the man who prepared it. Thank You for watching over Darren and Bella as they travelled here, and for protecting their wonderful children at home. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

“Amen,” Darren and Bella say.

“Amen,” Maverick adds, then reaches beneath the table and takes my hand into his. He squeezes gently before releasing me.

Bella doesn’t reach for her food, though. She just looks over at me. “Once again, I am so sorry. When Darren brought your letter in from the guest house after you didn’t show up for breakfast, I was angry. I couldn’t believe you would have abandoned us like that. Darren’s work schedule had increased over the last week, and the pressure was just so intense for me at work, too. Then, as the days passed, I became so preoccupied with trying to find a replacement, working, and taking care of the kids while Darren was switched to nights at the hospital. I could barely breathe, let alone think rationally. I should have sent the cavalry after you, Sadie.” She wipes tears from her eyes. “It’s my biggest regret.”

I want to run.

Want to put distance between myself and these two people I once considered close as family. So what changed? Is it, like Maverick said, because of the anger I feel that they didn’t come looking for me? Or am I just ready to put this all behind me?

Beneath the table, a strong hand takes mine once more, and I can breathe again.