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We stroll without hurry down another, steeper set of stairs closer to the Bay. Every five to ten steps, Clementine stops and points to something fascinating her. A crooked tree, squirrels, birds. At a few trees, she steps up and places her hand on the bark as if trying to feel the energy. Who knows? Maybe she does. Children are more in tune with energy and the spiritual elements of the world.
When we reach the bottom of the steps, we walk along the waterway and stop to admire the Bay. I see the appeal Odet Phillippe had to owning this land in the mid-1800s. A glorious view of the water and nothing but peace.
My stomach grumbles and I press a loose fist to my belly to quiet it. Beside me, Autumn laughs as she fishes her phone out of her purse and checks the time.
“Might be a good time to grab lunch. It’s almost one.”
Time flies when with people who make you happiest.
It’s like pulling teeth to get Clementine to leave, but she concedes when we promise to bring her back on a different day. We trek back to the Jeep, hop in, and buckle up. Since we aren’t far from downtown Safety Harbor, I suggest we find a restaurant there to eat.
Soon, we walk into a pizzeria on Main and get seated. After perusing the menu, we decide to share a Sicilian pizza. But it’s no shock when Autumn orders mozzarella sticks, toasted raviolis, and garlic knots for appetizers. Maybe with three of us here, there won’t be as many leftovers. But let’s face it, who doesn’t love leftovers. My girl definitely does.
The second the appetizers hit the table, we each dive in. Surprisingly, three-quarters of the appetizers are demolished before the pizza arrives. Thank goodness we didn’t order a large. I see possibly two days of leftovers in the future.
After our bellies are full and half the pizza gets boxed up, we head out and window shop Main Street.
Our county only has a handful of cute downtown districts and Safety Harbor is one of them. Most of the shops and restaurants here are locally owned. Everyone is friendly as they stroll up and down the sidewalks and visit the shops. Trees drape several sections of street and sidewalk, keeping patrons cool on summer days. Some buildings are colorful and grab your attention. Eclectic and unique, as are most of the downtown areas near us.
Clementine walks a few strides ahead of us. Her eyes scanning every storefront, eager to see what’s inside.
I lean in and kiss Autumn’s temple. “Today has been wonderful. Especially after seeing you last night.”
“Agreed. I slept better for the first time in days.”
“Would love to do our dinners again. I miss my girls.”
“Miss you, too.” I hear the dejection in her voice. Catch the minor twitch of her lips.
All day, I considered mentioning the party Cora and Gavin are throwing me for my birthday tomorrow. More than anything, I want to celebrate with Autumn and Clementine. But something keeps me quiet. Autumn’s somber mood has me hesitant.
In all seriousness, why would she want to celebrate anything when her life feels as if it’s being ripped out beneath her?
So, I don’t bring up the party. As long as I get time with my girls—like today—I am happy.
“But?”
She tucks her lips between her teeth and watches Clementine as she stares inside a candy shop. “But I don’t know if us being together right now will hinder things. While this case with Leo lingers, I mean. I can’t lose her, Jonas,” she whispers at the end.
I haul Autumn into my arms, bundle her close, and hold her as if she could slip from my reach. “No one will take her from you. Ever.”
“How can you be so sure?” I hate how small her voice sounds. Fragile and vulnerable.
I make a silent vow, once this case ends, to never let her feel this way again. To never let another person make her feel helpless or frightened. No one hurts my girls. No one.
“Call it intuition or instinct or a vibe. You have enough love surrounding the two of you to protect you for a lifetime. No way someone like him will tear it down.”
Autumn takes a deep breath and fists my shirt beneath my jacket. “Hope you’re right.”
Clementine dashes over to us and jumps up and down. “Mama, can we get candy from there?” She points to the shop. The all-window storefront displays hundreds of chocolates and taffy and tons of other confections.
“Sure, pumpkin. But not too many.”
“Yay!”
And just like that, we mosey about as if our conversation was background noise since we don’t discuss Leo and the case around Clementine. I just pray Autumn doesn’t continue to believe shutting herself and Clementine away from the world is the best solution.
I will never leave her side but fear she may try to abandon mine.
