Echoes of You: the Lost & Found Series, Book 2 by Catherine Cowles

Author:Catherine Cowles [Cowles, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC

25

MADDIE

“This is the new spin I learned in ballet this week, Miss Maddie. Look, look!” Cady did a lopsided twirl that sent her red pigtail braids flying.

“That is amazing,” I said as I wiped down another table. “Maybe you can show me how when I’m done.”

Cady bobbed her head up and down. “I can totally-wotally show you! I tried to get my best friend, Charlie, to do class with me, but he says he doesn’t like ballet. You could do it, though!”

I chuckled at the image of me wearing a tutu in a ballet class with a bunch of five-year-olds. “Hey, is Charlie’s last name Hartley?”

She nodded her head enthusiastically as she twirled some more. “Charlie Landon Hartley. We’ve been best friends since the first day of kindergarten.”

My heart clenched at that. Would Cady fall head over heels for Nash’s nephew and have her little heart crushed if he didn’t feel the same?

Aspen grinned down at her daughter. “Never seen two kids ask for more play dates.”

I chuckled. “The Hartleys are good friends of mine. Charlie is the cutest and so nice.”

Aspen’s smile widened. “I’ve only met Charlie’s dad, Lawson, and Charlie’s two older brothers, but they seem great.”

“Lawson’s the best. Luke and Drew can be troublemakers, but they’re good kids.” I swiped my rag over the last table. “I think that’s it.”

“The kitchen is all clean, so I think we’re good to lock up,” Aspen agreed.

I looked over at her. “Thanks for coming back after picking up Cady. You really didn’t have to—”

She reached out and squeezed my arm. “You aren’t alone in dealing with this. And I know you’d have my back if the roles were reversed.”

I’d had to walk Aspen through a brief overview of what was happening with Adam since there was a chance he could show up here again. She’d been understanding and empathetic. She’d also told me I wasn’t going to be closing alone anytime soon.

“I like working at the café,” Cady added helpfully. “I’m a good worker.”

I laughed and booped her adorable little nose. “You are the best worker.”

Her little chest puffed out. “Did you hear that, Mama?”

“I did.” Aspen lifted her daughter into her arms. “I think you’ve earned an ice cream sundae for dessert. What do you say?”

Cady pumped her fist in the air. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I grinned. “Sounds like a good reward to me.”

We grabbed our purses and headed out. We were only parked a few vehicles apart, and Aspen waited while I climbed into my SUV. I gave her a wave, and she got Cady into their station wagon. I waited until Aspen was behind the wheel and then pulled out.

As I wove my way back to the cabin, I breathed a little deeper. I’d been on edge all day, just waiting for Adam to show his face. But I hadn’t seen a single glimpse of him. Hope flared somewhere deep. Maybe work had called him away, and he’d forgotten all about me. It was a naïve hope, but it was far better than the alternative.

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