A purple Mustang comes into view, signaling the arrival of our boys. As soon as the car shuts off, Sebban is out of the car and all up in our business, playing with sticks and dirt. It takes Hollis and Roan longer to gather their baby and bags.
“Oh no,” Hollis deadpans. “Did we miss helping with all the hard work? I’m so sad.”
He’s lucky he’s holding Hope because Cal looks ready to deck him.
“Stop standing there looking pretty,” I gripe, a grin on my face. “Drop Hope off with the girls inside and then get your asses out here ready to work!”
“Work your asses!” Sebban yells, thrusting a stick in the air.
Hollis glowers at me, but Roan can barely contain his laugh.
My heart is full. Campfire Chaos has morphed over the years, changing from a boys’ sleepover hangout to party central to now a home where I can raise my daughter. It feels good to keep the memories alive. I can’t wait to make more.
Penny
“Hey, baby,” Terrence says, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck. “You hungry?”
Hungry for him, yes.
Hamburgers, meh.
“Starved.” I turn to meet his kiss. “Do you need anything from the store?”
“No, why? Did I forget something?” He frowns, pushing his glasses up his nose.
“Your daughter has decided she wants to make cupcakes too. She still very much wants her frog cake from the bakery, but she thinks she also needs pink cupcakes. I told her we could bake some.”
He lets out a relieved breath. “I’m good. Everyone should be over soon. Well, not Roan since he’s on call, but Hollis is bringing the kids. Are you going to take the girls with you?”
“We should be quick,” I assure him. “Roux needs to feed Emilia and Charlotte wants to get started on the macaroni. Zella and I’ll be gone twenty minutes tops. When I get back, I can put Charlotte on baking duty with Zella while me and Roux decorate the house.”
Since Zella is nearby, we don’t mention the surprise swing set. Last night, the guys worked late clearing an area where they’re going to build it. It’ll be our job this afternoon to keep it from her. Tomorrow, on the day of her birthday party, she’ll be so surprised when she goes outside and sees it. I cannot wait to see the look on her adorable face.
“Love you,” Terrence murmurs as he smacks my ass. “Hurry back.”
I give him a quick kiss before grabbing my wallet and keys. “Let’s go, princess!”
She bounces over to me, her curls dancing wildly, and grabs my hand. I can’t stop smiling as she chatters a mile a minute about her birthday party. Once I load her up in my Jeep, we drive out of the campgrounds and onto the main road. The grocery store is just a few minutes away. I pull into a spot and then we grab a cart.
“Next year, I’m going to have a skating birthday party. And the next year, a trampoline party.” She bounces from inside the basket of the cart. “What’s your next party going to be, Penny?”
As we walk around the store, tossing stuff to make cupcakes into the cart, we go back and forth about birthday party ideas.
“Are you my new mom?” Zella asks once we’re standing in the checkout line.
I freeze, unable to form words. “W-What? No, sweetie, I’m just Penny.”
Her lips pout out. “But my mom died. Why can’t you be my mom?”
Of course she would ask this question when Terrence isn’t around. I don’t know how to answer this.
“I, uh,” I choke out. “You want some candy?”
She shakes her head. “Do you not want to be my mom?”
“Zella, baby, being your mom sounds like the job of a queen. I’m just a knight, remember?” I tease, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “But I love you so much. Maybe one day I’d deserve such a title.”
She acts like she’s going to press more on the subject, so I quickly change it. “We need to go shopping soon and buy new swimsuits. Won’t be long and we can play in the river.”
“Daddy is going to teach me how to swim as soon as it gets warm enough,” she tells me, a smile once again on her face. “Do you know how to swim, Penny?”
“I do. I can help if you want. Do you know how to hold your nose?”
She scrunches her nose. “Like this?” Her finger and thumb pinch her nose and then she says, “Do I sound like an alien?”
“A silly alien,” I agree.
We check out and then we’re on our way. Zella chatters the whole way back to the Jeep. Since it’s warm now, I took the doors off, much to Zella’s delight. She loves riding in my Jeep with me as the wind blasts around us.
I toss the grocery bags into the back and then help Zella into her seat. “Ready to make cupcakes?”
“Yes!”
I grin at her excitement and jump into the front seat. I barely have the engine turned over when the vehicle dips with added weight. Something cold presses against my neck. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror, locking with the monster from my dreams.
Jack Henderson.
Oh God.
Zella starts to cry from the back seat. I’m frozen in fear. My phone is in my back pocket. I could try and call Terrence, but something tells me that won’t get past Jack.
“Drive,” he growls. “Now or I’ll paint your insides all over your windshield.”
My heart beats loud, echoing in my ears as I put the Jeep in reverse. I grip the steering wheel, panic overwhelming me. Every hair on my arm stands on end and I tremble with fear.
“Turn left out of the parking lot,” he orders.
I should refuse him, but in his manic state, I think it would be a terrible idea. No, I need to figure out what to do. Jack may be bigger and stronger than me, but I’m smarter. I have more to lose. Zella is my family now and I refuse to let anything happen to her.
“Go another couple of miles. There’s a hotel there.” His voice is low and calm, which kind of freaks me out. “Did you miss Daddy, Zella?”
She cries harder. It’s like a sucker punch to the gut. The urge to protect her is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt. I may not be her mother, but I would die keeping this motherfucker away from her. That’s the damn truth.
The hotel is run-down and scuzzy, nestled in a copse of trees not far off the main road. It gives me hope that if they realize we’ve been gone too long, they won’t have far to look. I just need to stall. Figure out a way to escape with my girl.
“Right there. The one on the end,” he orders. “Turn off the Jeep and don’t think about moving.”
I swallow down my fear and nod as I obey him. Once the vehicle is turned off, I wait for his next instruction. I’m about to grab the keys out of the ignition to Mace him when he cuts me off, anticipating my move.
“Leave them there. Now you’re going to get out and unbuckle Zella. Then, carry her into that room. Don’t think about running or I’ll put a bullet in your back.”
“Okay,” I squeak out, unable to find my voice.
I unbuckle and slide out of the Jeep, quickly yanking Zella into my arms. She clings to me, her entire body trembling as she sobs. With fear consuming my every cell, I make my way into the hotel room. It reeks of cigarettes and booze. It makes me wonder how long he’s been staying here. Maybe this entire time. It sickens me to know he’s been lurking, just waiting on the perfect time to pounce.