Page 83 of Last Wish Wedding

“Noah was very cooperative once we found him,” Mrs. Smith added, softening her tone as she addressed the boy. “And he did excellent work on his marine life observation sheet. One of the best in the class.”

Noah looked up, a ghost of a smile crossing his face. “The octopus was really cool, Mom.”

Kelsey forced a smile. “That sounds amazing, buddy. We should get home and you can tell me all about it.” She looked back at Mrs. Smith. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

“Of course. Have a good evening, both of you.”

Kelsey guided Noah toward the car, keeping her movements deliberate and calm despite the fury building inside her. The Prescotts had made their move, and had put their hands on her son. The violation of it burned through her veins.

Once they were in the car, Kelsey took a deep breath before turning to face Noah. “So, tell me about seeing Aunt Jennifer. That must have been a surprise.”

Noah buckled his seatbelt, his eyes downcast. “She said she came to the aquarium because she knew our class would be there.”

Kelsey’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What did she want, honey?”

“She said…” Noah’s voice faltered. “She said she could take me to see Grandmother Prescott. That they had a room all ready for me at their house, with her and Uncle Jason.” He looked up suddenly, with wide eyes. “She wanted me to go with her in her car, Mom. She said we could call you later.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I said I needed to get back to my class.” Noah’s voice dropped to nearly a whisper. “She grabbed my arm kind of hard and said it would only take a minute to get her car.” His bottom lip trembled slightly. “It scared me. That’s when Mrs. Smith found us.”

White-hot rage flooded Kelsey’s system. Jennifer Prescott had tried to take her son.

Not just talk to him. Take him.

“Noah, you did exactly the right thing,” Kelsey said, working to keep her voice steady despite the fury coursing through her. “I am so proud of you for knowing that wasn’t right.”

“Aunt Jennifer seemed different,” Noah frowned. “She wasn’t as nice. She kept saying bad things about you and Mackie.”

“What kind of things, sweetheart?”

Noah shifted uncomfortably. “That you were keeping me away from my real family. That you got married to Mackie for his money.” He paused, then added in a small voice, “She said you probably don’t have time for me anymore.”

Each word was like a dagger. The calculated cruelty of trying to plant those doubts in her seven-year-old’s mind triggered a protective instinct so powerful Kelsey could barely contain it.

“Noah, look at me,” she said, turning fully toward him at a stoplight. “What Aunt Jennifer said is completely untrue. You are the most important person in my life, always have been, always will be.”

Noah nodded. “I didn’t believe her, Mom. That’s why it felt scary. She was all weird.”

“It’s okay buddy.” Kelsey reached over to squeeze his hand. “Sometimes adults do things that are wrong. But you were very brave and very smart today.”

“Is she going to get in trouble?”

Kelsey considered her answer carefully. “What she did was wrong, and yes, there will be consequences. But that’s for me and Mac to handle. You don’t need to worry about it.”

As they pulled into their driveway, Kelsey’s determination hardened into something sharp-edged and immovable. The Prescotts had attempted to abduct her child.

“Hey, Mom?” Noah’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as she turned off the engine. “Mac said he’d show me how to build a model boat when he got home today. Do you think he still will?”

“I’m sure he will, buddy,” Kelsey said, finding a genuine smile despite the storm brewing inside her. “Why don’t you go get changed and set up your homework? Mac should be home soon.”

Noah brightened, some of his usual energy returning. “Okay!” He unbuckled and was out of the car in a flash.

Kelsey sat motionless in the driver’s seat after Noah disappeared inside. She pulled out her phone and stared at it for a long moment before typing a message to Mac:

Jennifer Prescott tried to take Noah from his field trip today. Literally tried to make him leave with her. Let’s go nuclear on their asses.

She hit send, then leaned her head against the steering wheel, breathing deeply to calm the protective rage coursing through her system. The Prescotts had made their intentions clear. Now she would make hers equally transparent.