Page 11 of The Broken Note

“No.”

I shift through my mind for something to say. “You must miss her.”

She glances down at me, seeming almost surprised.

I smooth the band-aid over her cuts. “You. Your sister. You must miss your mom.”

Cadence hinted that her mother was less than pleasant, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to live without a parent. I don’t know what I’d do without mom. She and my brothers are what keep me sane.

“Miss her? I don’t think…” Cadence’s eyes widen and life floods into her expression. “That’s it.”

“What’s it?”

She flings herself off the counter. “Did you bring your car?”

“I did.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Brahms.”

“What?” She spins.

I arch a brow and dangle the flip-flops from the tips of my fingers. “Are you going barefoot?”

She hurries back to me and reaches out to take the shoes.

I snap them away, kneel in front of her and slip them on her feet.

There.

“You folks have a good night.” The shopkeeper grins from ear-to-ear.

I don’t respond.

As we make our way to the car, I notice Cadey limping worse than before.

“You okay?” I ask, slowing my pace to match hers.

“I was fine before.” She flings daggers with her eyes. “As soon as you made a big deal with the band-aids and medicine, it started hurting.”

I chuckle and consider carrying her again. Then I spot my truck. “You were hurting the entire time, but adrenaline numbed the pain. Happens when I play guitar too.” The alarm chirps and I open the car door for her. “I get so caught up in the music, my fingers start bleeding. But it doesn’t hurt until I stop holding the strings.” I jut my chin. “Get in.”

Cadey ducks inside.

I round the hood, climb in and glance over. “Where are we going?”

“Gwendolyn Park.”

“The tree sanctuary?” I frown. “You think Vi’s there?”

“I have a feeling.”

Vague, but we’ll work with it.

Cadey plays with the collar of her shirt. “If she’s there…”

I smirk. “What’ll be my reward?”