Page 74 of Impulse

“Hey, munchkin,” Jillian cooed, rubbing her back.“I missed you, too.”

Sophia leaned back and said, “Bad people came to see Grampa.Two”—she counted her fingers—“three men.One had a shiny head with no hair.”

Jillian’s first thought was to distract her.She carried her into the house.“That’s terrible, sweetie.Where’s Mommy?”

“They were mean to Grampa, Jill,” Sophia continued without answering Jillian’s question.“I told them to stop being mean to my grampa, but the man with no hair said Grampa was a bad man.Grampa’s face was red.He yelled, ‘Get Out!Get Out of my house!’”

Jillian closed her eyes and groaned, completely mortified.“Well, I hope Grandpa is okay,” she said weakly, wishing Sophia would shut up.Instead, the imp peeked at Lex and ducked her head.

He’d followed them inside the house.Directly ahead was a pile of broken furniture and picture frames.Worse, sounds came from the back of the house where her father’s bedroom was located.Sounded like an argument.Were the others finally standing up to their father?

She led Lex to the living room and frowned at the changes.Pictures were missing from the fireplace and the wall.The men must have broken them.

“Then Mom grabbed me, and we hid in the closet and covered our ears,” Sophia added and sniffled.Jillian focused on her.Sophia’s green eyes swam with tears.

Jillian hugged her tiny body and fought tears, not caring anymore that Lex was hearing the sordid details.

“They made a big mess,” Sophia continued, sniffling and hiccupping, tears rolling down her cheeks.Jillian wiped them.“And Mommy was so mad.She wanted to call the police, but Grampa said no.So she called Daddy and Uncle Cian.The bad men touched Daddy’s special ball.No one is supposed to touch Daddy’s special ball.”

The “special” ball was Ricky’s most prized sports memorabilia.He had caught it during the playoffs and even had it signed by the hitter.Jillian tried to put Sophia down, but the little imp clung to her neck and wrapped her legs tightly around her waist.

“There’s glass on the floor, Aunt Jillian.That’s why Mommy said to stay in my room, but Lucy was jumping and pointing at the sky and I wanted to see what she was pointing at.Then the heli… heli… plane came down.”

Jillian adored her niece, but she could try the patience of a saint.Someone had already swept the glass away.“Sophia Angelique Finnegan!There’s no glass on the floor and you have shoes on.”

Sophia shook her head, curls whipping every which way, her tiny legs tightening around Jillian.Then the little imp glanced at Lex and stage whispered, “He’s a stranger.”

Jillian groaned and lifted her up.Of course, after the fiasco with the thugs, she’d be leery of strangers.“Sophia, this is my friend Lex.Lex, my niece Sophia.”

Sophia studied his face then whispered, “Your friend, Aunt Jillian?”

“Yes.I know where he lives, and I know his mommy.”

“He has a mommy?”

“Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

Sophia frowned, not getting it.“Daddy doesn’t have a mommy.You don’t have a mommy.”

“Some grown-ups do.I also know his best friend, Douglas.”

Lex made a sound like he was trying not to laugh.Jillian glared at him.Let’s see how he likes being held hostage by an impossible four-year-old.“And you know what, hun?He’s going to show you his heli-plane.”That got Sophia’s attention.“It is really cool.Would you like that?”

Sophia nodded and wiggled out of Jillian’s arms.“Can Lucy see the inside too, Aunt Jillian?”

“Oh yes.Besties are invited.”

“And Jessie?”Sophia asked.

Jillian looked at Lex.“Can Jessie see inside the heli-plane, too?”

Lex nodded, his expression hard to read.He’d probably heard the plea in her voice.“Absolutely.”He bowed to Sophia.“I always wanted to escort three little princesses.”

Sophia giggled.“I’m not a princess.I’m Sophia Angelique Finnegan.”

“Really?You look just like Princess Sophia,” Lex said and offered her his hand.“May I have the honor of escorting you to my heli-plane?”

Sophia giggled.“Who is Princess Sophia?”