"Not today, baby," I said softly, and kissed her curls.
I got up before I could fall apart again. I worked through breakfast, lunchboxes, missing socks, and a missing shoe that somehow made two kids grumpy.
I was pouring milk a few hours later when my phone rang.
Mark, Cole's coworker, the one my kids trusted enough to climb on like a jungle gym.
I pressed the phone to my ear. "Mark, I can't —"
"Paige," he cut in. His voice was sharp and controlled, but underneath, there was panic. "You need to come. Now."
"Mark, I can't—"
Continued on the next page
