Page 39 of Second Chances

“It’s the same. He sent this to me from a burner phone in Georgia.”

“How do you…” He shook his head.

“I found that bit of information out.” Rory stepped forward. “I know a guy who… well, at any rate, I know a guy.”

Todd turned back to Olivia, and she could tell he was assessing her.

“Hey.” He gathered her into his arms and held on. It felt so good to be held by a man who cared. A man she knew would never play games with her. “It’s okay. I’ll have Ethan look into—”

“Let her go.” A strong little voice had them both looking over.

Simona stood, her little hands fisted by her side, her eyes glaring at him. If Olivia didn’t know better, she would have sworn her daughter was on the verge of attacking Todd.

“Let my mommy go. Don’t you hurt her,” Simona added, her voice shaky this time.

She wanted to scold her daughter but knew that she was only trying to protect her.

“Simona,” Olivia said in a calm voice. “Todd was just helping me. I wasn’t feeling well.”

Still, Todd dropped his arms from around her and scooted back on the bench, away from her a little.

“He made you cry,” Simona said, moving closer, her eyes still on Todd.

“No, honey.” Olivia grabbed up her daughter and put her on her lap. “He was comforting me because I was crying.” She felt Simona relax in her arms. “I think you owe Todd an apology.”

“No.” Todd shook his head. “She was just standing up for her mother.” He took Simona’s hand. “Don’t ever apologize for sticking up for someone you love. Okay?”

Simona glanced at her, and she smiled and wiped the rest of her tears off her face before nodding her head in agreement.

“Okay,” Simona said, turning back to Todd. “I thought… I didn’t like it when he hit her.”

She noticed then that everyone had given them space, so it was only the three of them in the little garden area.

“Who?” Todd asked. “Your dad?”

Simona nodded as she looked up at her mother. Olivia had a hand over her mouth and the tears were back. She’d always believed she’d hidden Brock’s abuse from her daughter. How had she allowed herself to be so naive? Of course Simona had known. How could she not?

“He broke her arm and she had to go to the hospital.” Simona took her hand and lifted it, then ran her little fingers over the tiny white scars left by the pins she’d had to have. “She had… pins?” It was more a question than a statement, and Olivia nodded slightly. “They came out here,” Simona continued, “and I couldn’t touch her there or hold her hand because she was hurt. I won’t let anyone hurt her again. She’s my mommy.” Her heart melted and hurt at the same time. Love for her daughter flooded her to the point that more tears started rolling down her cheeks.

“Not every man is like your dad,” Todd began. “I would never hurt you or your mother.” He held out his hand and Simona looked at it for a moment. “I promise you. I don’t hit girls. Only bad guys hurt girls.”

Simona’s eyes moved up to his. “Promise?” He nodded and Simona smiled as she put her tiny hand in his. “Okay.” She turned back to her as she shook his hand and asked, “Why were you crying then?”

“Oh, honey.” Olivia wrapped her arms around her daughter again. “I was being silly.”

“Like when you cry during the car commercial?” Simona asked.

Olivia chuckled. “Yes, just like that.” Olivia’s eyes met Todd’s over her daughter’s head. “Hey, don’t judge me. It’s a powerful commercial.”

He smiled. “Feeling better?” he asked.

Olivia’s eyes shifted away from his, but she nodded. “Simona, why don’t you go see if Kayla can get you a hot dog and some chips?”

“Okay.” Simona climbed off her lap, and then turned and reached out to hug Todd. “I’m sorry I thought you hurt my mommy.”

Todd’s eyes closed as he held onto her little girl for a moment before letting her go. They both watched as she skipped across the yard towards Kayla and the rest of the kids, who were currently eating.

She turned and watched him closely as he smiled seeing Simona interact with the other kids.