Page 43 of Hold Me Tight

I glance around the room, my gaze landing on the bare corner where a cozy armchair rocker would fit perfectly. The first thing I’m doing tomorrow is ordering the one we saw at the store.

Minutes pass.

Maybe more.

The room is dim and still, lit only by the nightlight and the faint glow from the hallway. The hush of the city hums through the windows, but it feels a world away from where I am right now with this little girl curled up against me, her heartbeat syncing with mine.

Nora hasn’t even been here a full twenty-four hours, and already she’s got me wrapped around her little finger.

I don’t know what that says about me.

Or maybe I do.

I rest my head back against the chair and let my eyes fall closed for just a moment. My arms stay wrapped tight around her, like I’m anchoring us both in place.

I tell myself I’m just resting.

Giving her a minute or two to fall into a deeper sleep.

But the truth is, I don’t want to move.

Or be anywhere else.

Not on the ice.

Or at the Rail Yard.

Or even in my king-sized bed.

With this little girl sleeping soundly in my arms and her mom just across the hall, it feels like everything I’ve ever wanted. Like I’m exactly where I was always meant to be.

Now I just have to convince Callie she belongs here too.

19

Callie

Pale morning light filters through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I don’t wake to the sound of Nora crying or the familiar rush of panic clawing at my chest, reminding me of everything I forgot to do the day before. There’s no alarm, and all hell isn’t breaking loose.

It’s just silent.

Somehow, that quiet is more disorienting than the storm I’ve grown used to over the years.

I lie still, letting the softness of the mattress cradle me as the lingering warmth of the sheets cocoons my limbs. They feel heavy in the best way. I can’t remember the last time I felt like this.

Not just rested but refreshed.

With a yawn, I glance around the room and realize that nothing looks familiar. For a split second, panic shoots through me. That’s all it takes for recent events to come crashing back in a jumbled wave.

The bakery’s late loan payment.

Shopping with River.

The eviction notice taped to my door.

River’s offer to let us stay with him.

Falling asleep in his bed.