Page 18

The vibration was sudden, a subtle intrusion. I excused myself with a nod to Olivia and fished the phone from my pocket.

"Matt," I answered, stepping away from my daughter.

"Hey, Eva Rae." His voice held the steadiness of bedrock, yet I could hear the edges fraying with concern. I had filled him in on what was going on when speaking to him earlier. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was worried. "How's it going down there?"

"Slow," I admitted, watching Olivia through the slats of the plantation shutters. "Like trying to piece together a jigsaw with half the pieces missing."

"Sounds about right," he chuckled softly. “How’s Olivia holding up?”

I sighed. “Hard to tell. She’s still not talking about what happened, and it’s driving me nuts.”

“Keep at it. She’ll confide in you when she’s ready. If there’s anyone she will ever talk to, it’s you. You two have always been close.”

“I know. It just… well, it hurts seeing her this way, this tormented. And if I’m being honest, it breaks my heart that she doesn’t feel like she can tell me. How are things at home?”

"It’s a bit of a circus back here without you. Alex tried to use the blender, turning the kitchen into a makeshift tropical smoothie bar—minus the cups.”

"Classic Alex." The image brought a reluctant smile to my lips despite the gravity of my situation.

"Yeah, and Christine is convinced she's the next master chef. She wants to cook dinner for us. I'm getting the fire extinguisher ready as we speak."

"Brave man." I matched his lightness, a counterbalance to the weight pressing on my chest. "Anything else?"

"Angel's struggling, Eva."

The words rippled through me like a cold current. I leaned against the wall of the bungalow.

"Still having nightmares?" My voice was a mere whisper.

"Every night." Matt's voice cracked like the surface of a frozen lake underfoot. "She cries for you and Olivia. She keeps asking when you're coming home."

A mother's guilt clawed at me, sharp and unrelenting. "I'm working on it," I said, the promise steeling my resolve. "I'll fix this."

"I know you will. And I don’t mean to rush you; I just want to let you know you’re missed. But take care of our girl first, Eva." The softness in his plea wrapped around me like a lifeline. "We need you both safe."

"Of course." I pressed my fingertips to my temple, willing strength into my bones. “I’m doing everything I can.”

“I know you are.”

"Give Angel a kiss from me, will you? Tell her… tell her Mommy's catching the bad dreams."

"Will do."

He paused, and even without seeing him, I knew he was wearing that half-smile, which was all reassurance and heart. "Get back to us soon, superhero."

"Count on it."

I ended the call, tucking the phone away with a newfound urgency pumping through my veins. Angel needed me. Olivia needed me. I could only be in one place. Time was slipping through my fingers.

I needed to step up my game.