Blessings on State Street by Rachael Bloome

Author:Rachael Bloome [Bloome, Rachael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Secret Garden Press

Chapter 14

Abby slid another slice of bacon onto Max’s plate, suppressing a chuckle as he nibbled the edges of his pancake, careful not to disturb the chocolate chip smiley face in the center.

Breakfast had always been her favorite meal. It started the day off right. And today, more than ever, they needed the extra boost.

Logan refilled her coffee mug without asking, and she flashed him a grateful smile.

She’d had an anxious knot in her stomach all morning, knowing they’d have to do the unthinkable—report Max’s foster parents to social services and rip the child from any sense of normalcy during the holidays. But what was the alternative? Let him stay with neglectful guardians?

“Maybe we could ask Verna to come hang out with Max for a bit, while we go…” Logan trailed off, looking just as tormented as she felt.

An intense sadness swept over her, crushing her chest with a suffocating pressure. She couldn’t bear the thought of handing Max over to a stranger, not knowing what would become of him. But what other choice did she have?

Her eyes burned, and she glanced out the window, fighting back tears.

That’s when she noticed Verna standing on the front lawn, craning her neck toward the end of the street.

Something in the woman’s strained expression gave her cause for alarm.

“I’ll be right back.” Abby set her coffee mug on the counter and hastened toward the door, her heart racing.

She heard Logan tell Max to stay at the table, and he followed her outside, catching up to her quick stride as she approached Verna.

“What’s going on?” Abby asked, forgoing the pleasantries.

“I saw the sheriff drive by twenty minutes ago, followed by a few other government-looking vehicles. They didn’t have their lights on, but I have a bad feeling about it.”

Abby followed Verna’s gaze, but the road curved, blocking their view of—her heartbeat stilted.

Max’s house.

She exchanged a furtive glance with Logan, who seemed to read her mind.

In a hurried jumble of words, he told Verna everything they knew about the situation and asked her to stay with Max while they investigated further.

She readily agreed and shuffled across the street with Mr. Bingley close at her heels.

Abby’s pulse quickened, throbbing in her ears as they approached the end of State Street.

Several squad cars surrounded the battered gray house, and uniformed men and women exited the front door carrying file boxes.

Logan halted a few feet from the commotion, stretching his arm in front of her in a protective gesture.

Anxiety and adrenaline surged through her, but she gladly stayed behind him as they assessed the situation.

A woman in plain clothes wearing a lanyard walked up to the sheriff, who mumbled something into his radio before giving her his attention. “Well?” he asked gravely.

“No sign of the boy. They must have taken him with them when they bolted last night.”

Abby’s stomach flip-flopped in panic. What exactly were the Hobarts involved in? She took a step forward, catching the eye of the woman Abby assumed was a social worker of some kind.

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