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Fletcher ran to both of us, wearing only sweatpants low on his hips. He reached us, cradling Maya’s face with one hand and mine with the other. “Are you okay?” he asked forcefully, looking from her to me.
I nodded, but Maya was breathing fast. He tried to take her into his arms, but she clung to my neck, sobbing quietly.
His lips pressed into a line. “Let’s go inside.”
I nodded, moving to carry her into the main house, but Maya shrieked. “Graham! I need Graham!”
“He’s in the kennel,” I told Fletcher.
He nodded sharply, going to get the puppy while I carried Maya into the house, stroking her hair and soothing her softly.
“It’s okay, baby girl; you did the right thing,” I said.
Through gasping breaths, she said, “I just wanted to check on Graham.”
“I know you did, honey. And you went outside to find him, then you yelled for Daddy and me. We came right out to get you.”
She hugged me harder. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I’ll always be there for you,” I promised. I didn’t know how, but I knew I’d always fight to keep this girl safe.
28
Fletcher
“I’ll always be there for you,” Liv said fiercely to my daughter, just as I walked in the door.
Maya held on to her for dear life, and my heart ached. Liv had done for my daughter what I couldn’t. This morning, when I went to help her, she reached for Liv.
What happened when Liv wasn’t here anymore? Would Maya survive it?
Would I?
Graham barked, announcing our presence.
Both girls spun their heads my way, and Maya scrambled out of Liv’s lap to get the puppy from me. He jumped out of my arms, eagerly going to her. She shushed him, saying, “It’s okay. I’ll get you food, sweetie.”
I looked up from my daughter and connected gazes with Liv. I waved my hand toward her, indicating she should follow me. “Maya, stay inside. Liv and I need to talk. Privately.”
“It wasn’t Liv’s fault,” Maya said quickly.
My heart jerked. A few months ago, Maya never would have defended someone else like that, human or animal. I could see the changes in her more now than ever.
I walked back to my bedroom, feeling Liv’s gaze on my bare back. The second she shut the door, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I took Liv in my arms, holding her close. She was warm under my touch, safe. And I held on longer than I needed to, saying, “I’m so glad you’re okay. Thank you for protecting my daughter.”
Her hands gripped my back like we were both rattled from the experience.
“What the hell happened?” I asked, stepping back. “One minute I’m sleeping, and the next I hear screaming and see a goddamned coyote running away.”
Liv’s blue eyes were wide and worried. “I heard Maya scream, and I ran out to see what was going on. She was face to face with a coyote. I picked her up and started yelling to scare it off. Thank god she was okay.”
My eyes stung with unshed emotion. “Why the hell was she outside?”
The realization dawned just as Liv said, “She said she wanted to check on Graham.”
“That’s it,” I replied. “Today we’re packing your things and moving you into our spare bedroom.”
Liv’s plush lips parted. “What? Why?”