Page 12 of The Keeper

Another nod.

“And you liked how both of them looked?”

A third nod.

“Then I guess we’ll have to choose at random. I say go for the silver.”

“Really? But it doesn’t match…” She trailed off when I grinned. Realization dawned on her face. “I see what you did.”

She’d caught on fast. Smart girl.

“I’ve learned that when I can’t choose between two things, I just have to pick one and see how I feel,” I said. “If I’m happy, it’s the right choice. If I’m sad or disappointed, it’s the wrong choice.”

“That makes sense. You’re really smart.” She looked impressed. “What’s your name?”

“Carina. What’s yours?”

“It’s—”

“Evie.” The gruff, familiar voice made my blood run cold. My smile vanished. No. It can’t be him. Please don’t be him. But I’d recognize that commanding tone anywhere. “Who are you talking to?”

CHAPTER 5

NOAH

“Dad! This is Carina. She helped me pick a dress for the recital.” Evie was practically bouncing up and down in excitement.

We’d been searching for the right dress for hours, ever since I finished training and picked her up from school. I would’ve been happier about her finding the right dress had I not been so blindsided by the woman standing next to her.

Of all the stores in all the world, Carina had to walk into this one.

And of all the daughters in all the world, she had to bond with mine.

I’d been cornered by a Blackcastle fan and lost sight of Evie for a few minutes near the fitting rooms. When I found her again, she’d already been talking to Carina.

My knee-jerk instinct had been to interrupt them and get us out of here as soon as possible. Not because Evie had been chatting it up with a stranger, which she should’ve known better than to do, but because the sight of her laughing and so at ease with Carina had hit me like a punch in the gut.

Evie was a chatterbox at home but extremely shy with people she didn’t know. It took her weeks to warm up to someone, if at all. So the fact she’d taken to Carina like a baby duck to water made something inside me twist.

“Actually, sweetie, Carina and I already know each other,” I said, my voice strained. I forced a smile; it might’ve come out more like a grimace. “We have…mutual friends.”

“I can’t believe I finally got to meet the famous Evie,” Carina said, basically ignoring me. She smiled at my daughter. “Your dad talks about you a lot.”

“Really?” Evie perked up. “What does he say?”

“That you’re too nosy for someone your age.” I ruffled her hair, earning myself an indignant protest. “Why don’t you go look for shoes to match your dress? I’ll be right there. I just have some adult things to discuss with Carina first.”

“Okay.” If there was one thing guaranteed to distract Evie, it was shopping. “Nice to meet you, Carina. Thank you again for your help!” She ran off.

The kids’ shoe section wasn’t far, and I could still keep an eye on her while I spoke with Carina.

There was an awkward pause. Carina broke the silence first.

“So.” She crossed her arms and eyed me warily. “This is a coincidence.”

“It appears so.”

“She’s a sweet kid. Are you sure she’s yours?”