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She twirled her little girl’s hair around her finger. It seemed like yesterday she had held Zoey in her arms for the first time. A bittersweet day. The moment she realized she was in the parenting world alone. But when the doctor had placed her beautiful girl in her arms, her fears vanished, at least temporarily.

The lights of the TV glowed on the walls, and the voices droned in the background.

Zoey’s soft breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep.

Five years ago, Jennie had vowed to never put Zoey in harm’s way again. Yet, here they were. Yes, the creep who’d tried to entice her daughter to meet him was dead, but the idea that the man had uploaded her baby’s picture for other predators to view gave Jennie the willies.

What if Kenny had found the website?

She had to tell David about her past to keep her daughter safe. She should have told him days ago when this whole thing started, but she couldn’t shake off the shame.

Growls and barks penetrated the quiet.

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Her neighbor’s dogs, Max and Zeus, rarely made noise.

Heart racing, she lowered Zoey’s head to the throw pillow and crept to the window. Spreading the blinds with her fingers, she peered out into the night. Max’s teeth glinted in the moonlight while Zeus ran along the fence line.

Someone was out there.

Jennie gasped. She dropped her hand and flattened herself against the wall. Her mind raced with possibilities.

She hurried to the coffee table, snatched her cell, and punched in David’s number. Cradling the phone against her ear, she paced the living room. Her gaze jerked to the front door. A rustle and light taps stole the air from her lungs.

“Whitman.” His voice came through a tunnel on the other end.

“Help,” Jennie cried, but her voice refused to work.

“Jennie? Are you there?”

She swallowed and pushed the words out. “Help. He’s been here.”

“Who? Jennie, what’s going on?”

“The dogs. The front door.” Her mind was a jumbled mess.

“I’m on my way. Stay inside.”

Thank heavens he understood enough to know she needed him.

“Jennie? Did you hear me? Stay inside.”

“Yes.” She jostled the phone in her sweaty palm.

Zoey wiggled on the couch but remained asleep.

A few minutes later, a knock on the door echoed in the entry.

Jennie squeaked and slapped her hand across her heart. She peeked out the window. David was squatting on the porch studying something.

She flung the door open.

He stood and she threw herself into his arms. His hand rubbed up and down her back. “Shh. It’s okay. I’m here now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her body trembled in his hold. She had to get a grip on her emotions. She was stronger than this.

Determined to recapture the strength she’d fought so hard for, she shifted out of his embrace. “S-sorry. I shouldn’t have fallen apart like that.”

A glimmer of empathy shown behind David’s gaze. “You know, it’s okay to need help.”