Page 87 of Scarred Redemption

“Yes, ma’am,” Kristoff answered.

There was no reason to continue berating them. I returned to where Mina was standing, able to plaster a smile on my face.

My pulse had skyrocketed.

Breathe. Just breathe.

“Alright, you little princess. Let’s head back to the house. Alright? You must be hungry after all that running.”

“Can I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”

She was hungry. I resisted clapping my hands. “Yes, you can.” When she slipped her hand in mine, I felt another sense of relief. And perhaps even a moment of joy.

Shadow chased nothing up the beach toward the house, running back to us. I swung her arm, trying to make the moment carefree. I had to admit being outside had brightened my mood. Maybe we could eat lunch on the deck.

Just before we got to the stairs, I heard a sound that reminded me of a lawnmower. Was today when the landscaper came? No, the wind was carrying the sound from the ocean. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing nothing but ocean waves as far as the eye could see.

But the sound continued, even as I grabbed my shoes and we trotted up the stairs.

“Now, shake off the sand. Both of you.” I shouldn’t have asked Shadow to perform the task. When he did, sand flew everywhere and Mina couldn’t stop giggling, seeing it flying all over me.

“You are so bad, Shadow. Get your butts inside.” In hearing the word I used, I gasped dramatically while Mina continued to giggle. “Go!”

She opened the door, ushering Shadow inside while I returned to the railing. What was I hearing? A boat. That wasn’t unusual. It was the ocean, for goodness’ sake. I noticed it, realizing it was a speedboat. A little unusual, but there were a bunch of rich people on the standing strip of land.

My thoughts drifted to Maxsim, wishing he would come home while the sunlight glinted off the boat. Instead of going inside, I waited and the changing sound of the engine meant the captain was throttling down. The boat was slowing.

Until it was barely drifting past the house.

I froze, white-knuckling the railing with one hand as I shielded my eyes with the other. I could swear with it being closer to shore than I would think possible, I caught a glimpse of binoculars. I remained where I was, almost at the point of heading to the beach.

Even though the boat appeared to be idling, I knew better. In hearing Mina’s laughter once again, I backed away and seconds later, the boat’s engine revved and sped away. Ready to walk inside, I also could tell one of the soldiers had noticed the boat as well. At least I wouldn’t need to mention it to Maxsim.

Thank goodness for that as he’d go ballistic and bars would be installed on the windows.

I made my way into the kitchen, a wash of heat sweeping through me from a rush of adrenaline. There were footprints of sand on the clean kitchen floor, the soft patterns created serving as a gentle reminder Maxsim was unused to the simple joys in life. Or so it had seemed in the beginning. Maybe he’d learned while being with me that everyday tasks were to be relished.

Still debating the issue of whether or not being with him was worth the continual chaos, I pulled my phone from the pocket of my dress. Wishfully thinking he’d called. Maybe I should nudge him a little, reminding him what he had waiting for him at home.

Mina appeared, Shadow chasing her and I tossed the cellphone onto the counter. “Who’s ready for peanut butter and jelly?”

“Me. Me. Me!”

“Wash up, girlie, and I’ll make us a feast.” She did as I asked, just tall enough to reach the kitchen faucet. I felt lighter than before, eager for her to eat something. Maybe I’d even manage to stomach a sandwich at this point. My nerves had been all over the place, which was detrimental to my system.

That’s what fear and uncertainty did to you.

“I think I’ll draw a picture of you and Papa. Would that be okay?”

I hadn’t realized she’d brought her sketchpad down. The kid had way more energy than I did. “Of course that would be okay. Maybe as a surprise for when your papa comes home.”

I handed her a towel before grabbing the loaf of bread off the top of the refrigerator.

“Izzy. Are you in love with my papa?”

How was it that she managed to catch me more off guard than her father did? “Um. Would it bother you if I was?”

“No. You kiss all the time. My teacher said when two people love each other, they kiss. Are you going to be my new mommy?”