Page 12 of Meant for Mayhem

How did she do that so effortlessly?

The moment anyone got into Leena’s space before she was ready, she recoiled into me. From everything I’d learned, that was normal for this age, but reading and experiencing were two different things.

Rather than continue their conversation, Shannon picked up the books that had spilled out the front door, stacking them in neat piles. Leena wiggled in my arms until I set her back down. This time, she didn’t cling to me like she had before—she walked over to Shannon and squatted next to her, mimicking her yet again. When Shannon picked up a book, so did Leena.

“Thank you,” Shannon said, then put her hand out until Leena handed it over. “I love to read books.”

I stood there with my hands shoved into my pockets, taking it all in as my daughter worked alongside Shannon for another few minutes, shocked by how quickly Leena had decided Shannon was okay.

And that was the thing, wasn’t it?

I understood Leena’s stranger danger on a soul-deep level because I didn’t let people in easily either. Trust wasn’t something either of us handed out for free.

Between a handful of conversations in Lori’s kitchen, watching Shannon quietly take care of everyone around her while pretending she didn’t care, and listening to her say the things everyone else was too polite—or too afraid—to admit, I’d stopped questioning my instincts where she was concerned.

I trusted her.

I wasn’t entirely sure why.

But I did.

“Found another bin,” Beckett said as he walked by his mom in the doorway, carrying an identical tote to the one that sat broken on the bottom step.

Lori looked at me. “Good. Maybe Mikko can do more than stand there all day now.”

“He has that whole Silent Giant thing down, doesn’t he, Mom?” Beckett said, earning himself a scowl.

“Let’s put the books in the box,” Shannon told Leena, who copied her again.

“Yes, Mikko,” Beckett echoed. “Let’s put the books in the box.”

Heat crept up my neck as I realized exactly how long I’d stood there watching them. Silently, I bent down, scooped up the last few books, and dropped them into the bin before carrying it inside.

Once that was done, Shannon pinched her fingers and thumb together, tapping them against her mouth.

“I’m hungry,” she said. “I think it’s time for a snack.”

She held out her hand.

Leena looked at me first, then slipped her tiny hand into Shannon’s without a second thought.

The air left my lungs.

I knew lying about Shannon being my wife was wrong. But watching the two of them walk toward the house together, I couldn’t shake the feeling that somewhere beneath all the panic and desperation, my instincts had gotten this right.

Shannon slid a plate of cheese, crackers, and fruit across the counter to me once we all settled in Lori’s kitchen. “You never answered my question.”

I sat on the barstool with Leena in my lap, bile rising in my throat as I contemplated how I was going to explain the mess I’d made of my life. My daughter was unbothered by my misery, grabbing a piece of cheese off the plate and popping it into her mouth with a happy hum.

Shannon smiled at her, that same warm look she gave her before. “I love cheese. I’d also love to know why your dad is here with you instead of in Denver getting ready for the game that starts in a few hours.”

Before I could come up with an answer, Beckett’s phone chimed. He picked it up off the counter, scanning whatever he saw there. “Oh shit, you’re on leave?”

Shannon swiped it out of his hand, reading aloud, “Mikko Laaksonen of the Denver Yetis to miss tonight’s game vs. the Boston Sentinels after taking an indefinite leave of absence, team announces.”

Everyone turned to look at me while Leena picked up a handful of berries and shoved them into her mouth. I let out a long sigh.

“What’s going on, buddy?” Beckett asked.