Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 105921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
We stared at each other, at an impasse. She wasn't going to show me how she'd gotten in. Stating the obvious, I said, "You won't show me because if you do, I'll have evidence to turn that trespassing charge into breaking and entering."
That faint flush hit her cheeks again. She muttered something under her breath, but I couldn't catch more than a hard 'ch' sound. "Look, I entered, but I didn't break anything. No property damage, I swear. I wouldn't do that. I'm also not going to admit to anything else considering you're close enough to the chief of police that he gave you his cuffs."
"Fair enough." I pulled out my master key and unlocked the door. Scarlett pushed past me, almost rushing to get into the room. Right behind her, I couldn't spot the reason for her hurry.
The main room of the cottage appeared ready for a guest, missing only the flowers and gift basket that would have been on the counter. Beyond the main room, the bed in the bedroom was bare of linens. Everything seemed to be untouched. I couldn't see any sign Scarlett had ever been in here.
A glance at her face told me she was as surprised as I was by the pristine cottage. Heedless of the cuffs connecting our wrists, she started around the couches in the living room, her eyes darting from side to side, tension gripping every inch of her body.
The cottage wasn't that big, and it was quickly clear that the main room and tiny kitchenette were empty. I barely kept my hand from being torn off as I followed her to the bedroom, also empty, the white walls and bare mattress bright in the sunlight pouring through the windows.
Into the empty cottage, Scarlett shouted, "August! August Hall, you'd better be in here!"
I wasn't expecting the tiny voice that drifted into the room. I wasn't sure from where. Under the bed? The closet?
"Mom? Is it safe to come out?"
Scarlett strode to the closet and threw the door open. Curled on the floor, headphones on his ears connected to a dark tablet, a small boy blinked up at us. Scarlett dropped to her knees, wrapping her free arm around the boy who looked at me in unabashed curiosity.
"When I couldn't find you—" Scarlett broke off, pressing her face to the boy's golden blond hair.
"You said to hide if I heard anyone coming. I wanted to listen to my game, so I went ahead and hid anyway, just in case."
"Okay, okay," she murmured, resting her cheek on his hair, eyes bright with tears that didn't fall. "You did the right thing. I was just scared when I didn't see you. I didn't want to leave you alone, and then— But you're okay. Everything's okay. Let's get you up, we need to get moving."
The boy tucked his tablet under his arm and stood along with his mother but made no move to leave the closet. "Who's he?"
I stuck out my hand. "Tennessee Sawyer. Who are you?"
The boy took my hand gravely and shook. "Tennessee like the state?"
"No, Tennessee like my Great-Great-Great-Uncle Tennessee Reginald Sawyer. But everyone calls me Tenn."
"I'm August Hall." August dropped my hand. "Can I call you Tenn?"
"Fine with me," I said at the same moment Scarlett said, "No. You can call him Mr. Sawyer."
August shrugged. "Where are we going?"
"You and your mom are coming to stay at my house for a while. You'll like it. It's practically a castle, and our housekeeper has a kid about your age." I pictured Nicky in my head. "Maybe he's a few years younger than you. How old are you?"
August tilted his head to the side and quirked the side of his mouth the same way his mother had. "How old do you think I am?"
"Eight," I guessed.
His eyes shot wide, then darted to his mom. "He's smart." She shook her head, and August's eyes finally caught on the handcuffs joining our wrists. "Why are you wearing those?" That fast, the light left the kid's eyes and his lower lip trembled. "Are you under arrest?"
"It's a game," I said, thinking fast. "Your mom isn't in trouble, we're just playing a game."
"Yeah, about that," Scarlett cut in, "August, where's my backpack?"
"I hid it under the bed." He pointed at the dust ruffle concealing his hiding place.
Scarlett ruffled his hair. "Good thinking." Straightening, she caught my eye. "Why don't we take a break from the game for a few minutes? Long enough for you to clean off your shoes in the tub while I change into something a little less ratty."
"Sure, as long as August helps me." Just in case she was planning on taking off while I was barefoot and she was free of the cuffs.
"Fine," she said shortly. Getting away from me wasn't going to be that easy. Once I got her behind the gates of Heartstone Manor, escape would be nearly impossible.