Page 96 of Anchored to the Storm

Dale peered down at Harmony, who was already peering up at him with pleading eyes. His responding smile was full of so much pride it filled the room. He told Kristen, “Done.”

And our family grew.

Kristen smiled. “Okay, I’ll start working on it first thing in the morning.” She went into the living room, told Bluebell it was wonderful to meet her, then left.

That’s when I realized I never heard the bike drive off. Nor had I seen Kristen’s car in the driveway. I think Finn is on to something. The bike finally roared to life down the street.

Sarah wasn’t surprised about the decision, not in the slightest. She stood from the couch as if pleased no one dared to attempt to take Bluebell from her. “Let’s get you tucked into your new bed.”

As Sarah walked to the stairs with Bluebell, I realized she had a new duckling. Another Blue to treasure. Another being to fill with endless love.

We all followed them up the stairs and stood at Sarah’s door while Harmony, Seb, and Sarah got Bluebell settled in.

We all grabbed our chests when Bluebell asked if she was having any visitors tonight.

Why did she say visitors with an s?

Dale left the doorway and rolled along the hallway wall until finally resting his forehead against it. I think his limit had been met.

Suspecting this child had not only been sexually abused by her father, but possibly shared with others, had me stunned into a motionless silence. My mind kept racing back to Blue. Had that also happened to her?

Finn went to Dale and rested his hand on his back. “Keep breathing for us.”

Dale nodded, blowing out air as if fighting to not get sick all over the floor.

Looking back into the room, I saw Harmony sit next to Bluebell. She looked like an angel, smiling at the child with such adoration. “No. No more visitors.” She tucked the comforter around the tiny form. “Only family members who want you safe.”

I’m so lucky to have you in my life, Harmony.

It took two-point-three seconds to fall asleep once my head hit my pillow. And I don’t think I moved once. Not even when I heard an out-of-place noise outside. My body was simply exhausted; however, when I heard another sound, my legs swung out of bed, forcing me to sit up.

Ethan had already done the exact same thing in his bed.

Across from each other, our eyes locked. My skin prickled. I hand-gestured to the sensation.

He nodded, doing the same.

My gut was screaming that something was wrong, but it made no sense. Dale had the house rigged with security. I glanced at the window. No outside lights had been triggered. No blaring alarms were sounding off. Yet I sat there feeling dread, like a premonition.

Ethan’s bed was closest to the closet. He snuck to it and tried to turn the light on.

Nothing.

I jerked when my phone vibrated on the nightstand.

Ethan rushed to his while I picked up mine. As I read the text, my blood turned to ice.

Ethan and I darted to our bedroom door and ran into Sebastian. Panicked, Seb held up his phone, showing he got the same text. One very powerful word from Kristen:

Hide!

Not making a peep, the three of us quickly rushed into the girls’ room. Sebastian picked up a sleeping Bluebell while Ethan and I stared at Sarah in horror. She was deep in a nightmare, her feet twisting up in the sheet and blanket and her head thrashing on the pillow.

This was the worst scenario to wake her quietly. I hand-gestured to Ethan. She will scream.

We all turned to face the hallway when hearing a piece of furniture skid across the floor downstairs. I could barely breathe, wishing I knew what the hell was going on.

Finn appeared with a baseball bat, ready to swing. He took a guarding position at the door, head gesturing for us to get a move on.