Page 68 of Second Chances

She shook her head again. “No, I won’t argue. I’d appreciate it.”

“Simona can stay here for the night. I’d hate to wake her up again,” Crystal added. “Besides, I promised her cinnamon rolls for breakfast.”

“You did?” Rory jumped in eagerly, then he cleared his throat and tried to act like he wasn’t excited himself.

Crystal smiled. “You can have one.”

Rory nodded. “I’ll take it.”

“We’ll stop by later tomorrow to get her things if she needs them. Take your time shopping tomorrow. She’ll be here when you get back.” Crystal winked at them. “I’m going to spoil Simona all day long.”

“Thank you.” Olivia jumped up and hugged both Crystal and Rory. “I don’t know what I would do if you two weren’t here for us.”

“Go on.” Crystal waved her away after the hug. “Take back your home and get some sleep.”

She followed Todd outside, her hand resting comfortably in his.

“Did you really run all the way here holding Simona?” he asked as he opened his car door for her.

“Yes,” she sighed. “My back will be paying for it tomorrow.”

He climbed in behind the wheel and then turned to her. “I’m glad the two of you are safe.”

She nodded, feeling tired and emotional all at once. “Do you think it was Eric?”

He frowned and was quiet for a moment while he drove back to her place.

“It could be,” he finally said.

“But… something in your voice tells me you don’t think it was. What is it?” she asked, glancing over at him.

“I’m not sure. I’d like to wait and see once we get there. There’s just something about the way Tom described the lock being broken that… sits strangely with me,” Todd admitted.

“Okay.” She rested her head back and tried not to think about someone else walking through her home. Combing through her things. Maybe even stealing something private.

Todd parked beside her car and helped her climb out. Just thinking about someone being in her house had her shivering against the warm night air.

“Cold?” he asked her, wrapping his arms around her.

“Just… tired,” she said. Todd took her keys from her and opened the back door, then he flipped on the kitchen light. While she stood just outside, he examined the lock.

“Want me to go through the house once more?” he asked her.

“No.” She took a deep breath and then stepped inside. A wave of joy and fear mixed deep in her gut.

Joy because this was her place. Hers alone. She’d done this. She’d paid for every single item in it. She’d painted every wall, hung every picture. No one could ever take that from her. Fear because she knew just how close she’d come to losing it. If Brock or Eric thought that they could intimidate her, well, they were right. All it took was the fear of Simona’s safety, and she’d gladly have kept running and left it all behind.

Nothing mattered more to her than her daughter.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, causing her to jump slightly.

“You okay?” Todd asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Hm.” She nodded as tears rolled down her face slowly. “I’d gladly give it all up, just to know that she was safe.”

He turned her towards him and then gently used his thumb to wipe the tears away.

“You won’t have to.” He kissed her wet cheeks. “I’m here. You have people that love you and would do anything and everything to see that you and Simona are safe.”