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The two of them walked inside, leaving me and Dad on the sidewalk.
“You finally going to make this thing with Sophie official?”
I bristled at his insinuation that I hadn’t already done that. “I asked her to marry me when I enlisted.”
Dad’s expression was grim. “She was smart to turn you down then. You were both young and immature. Neither of you knew what you really wanted.”
“And now?”
Dad gave me a pointed look. “Are you staying in Annapolis, or are you heading back to Indiana?”
When Kendall was missing, I’d wondered if I’d made a mistake in moving here, uprooting the only life Kendall had ever known. But it was Melanie who’d done that by selling their home. There was nothing for me in Indiana, and Kendall was settling in here. She’d gone to Drew when she was upset. She hadn’t gotten on a bus and headed to Indiana. That was telling. “I’m staying.”
“Good.” He touched my shoulder before following Mom and Kendall into the house.
I had to make things right with Sophie. Maybe once Kendall returned to school.
I was anxious to talk to her, but I needed to be with Kendall tonight. Her disappearance had been my worst nightmare. I wasn’t ready to let her out of my sight.
I sent a text to Sophie, telling her that I was staying in tonight with Kendall but hoped she was okay. She didn’t respond, but it was late. She was probably sleeping so she could get up early to work.
I had time to fix this. Or at least, I hoped I did.
ChapterTwenty-Two
SOPHIE
Last night, I didn’t get much sleep. I’d tried and failed to rationalize Mark’s lack of communication. His daughter was missing. He was upset. He’d want and need to spend the evening with Kendall. He wouldn’t want to let her out of sight.
I’d tried and failed not to take it personally that I only got aI hope you’re okaytext around eight. I hadn’t responded because I should have been asleep already.
I shouldn’t have been staring at the ceiling, hoping Mark would ask to come over. Kendall needed him. She’d always come first.
I understood that, even as my stupid heart cracked at the replay of his words when Kendall ran away.You’ve done enough.
Instead of getting much-needed sleep, I’d stayed awake, thinking of all the ways I’d screwed up. Even if Kendall or Mark said it wasn’t my fault, it sure felt like it was.
She’d disappeared immediately after talking to me. I didn’t have kids. Even though I’d practically raised my sisters, it didn’t make me a parent.
Melanie was Kendall’s mother. I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Kendall. I shouldn’t have assumed our relationship was something special. At the end of the day, I wasn’t her mother.
On some level, I knew Melanie would come back. She’d want Kendall in her life. Who could blame her? Kendall was a great kid.
Then I fell down the slippery slope. Now that Melanie was back in town, did that mean they were one big, happy family? Mark had said they’d never gotten involved other than co-parenting. But maybe you had a special relationship with the mother of your child. One that transcended what I’d built with Mark over the years.
It sounded crazy in the light of day, but in the dark, it seemed likely, probable even. I’d fallen asleep for a couple of hours and woke with my eyes swollen from tears. My skin was dry from crying. I quickly showered and donned my bakery uniform.
I walked to the bakery with a heavy heart. My life felt so empty when I thought of Kendall not stopping by after school. Or never being able to spend time together, all three of us.
I was wrong for stepping in. I should have given them space to explore their relationship. Convinced space was necessary between Mark, Kendall, and me, I raised my key to unlock the door when I realized—too late—the door was ajar. The glass near the lock was missing.
Someone had broken in. I stepped back, my heart pounding, my hand shaking. Was someone inside?
I knew without looking down the street, Mark wouldn’t be showing up like he had for all those weeks. There was no one awake at three in the morning to protect me. I was on my own.
A crash sounded from the kitchen area. Whoever it was, was still here.
I reached for my cell phone when a man appeared behind the counter. My hand hovered with my cell phone in front of me. His eyes locked with mine. I was frozen.
