Page 155 of Stains of Desire

Her green eyes fill with more tears, and she slowly reaches for it.

I smile. "Do you want to see a picture of your mummy?"

She nods and starts crying more.

I sit on the bed and take the photo Gustave gave me of Penelope out of my backpack. "Here you go. Your mummy misses you a lot and can't wait to see you."

"Mummy," she cries and holds the picture close to her face.

I reach out and cup her cheek with one of my hands, and she leans into it and sobs.

I pull her to me, and she wails, "Mummy!"

"Shhh. I know, sweetheart. I miss her, too." I stroke her hair as she cries.

After several minutes, I say, "We need to leave now. Can you help me pack a few outfits and shoes?"

She lifts her head off of my chest. "O-okay."

"Good. Is that your teddy bear?" I point toward her pillow.

"Yes."

"What's her name?"

She sniffles. "Pinky."

"That's a good name. I think Pinky should come with us. What do you think?"

She nods and bites her lip.

"Okay. Get an outfit and pair of shoes to put in my bag."

She slides off my lap, runs to the dresser, and pulls out a sweatshirt and pants. She grabs a pink pair of shoes and brings them to me.

"Good job. Can I get five?" I hold out my hand.

She hesitates then slaps it.

I hold out my fist. "What about a fist bump?"

She tilts her head, bites on a smile, then fist-bumps me. I pretend to blow it up, and her grin grows.

I pass her Pinky and her blanket. "Can you hold these?"

She grabs them.

I sling my backpack on, pull the quilt and pillow off the bed, then pick her up. "Are you ready to go find your mummy?"

More tears well, and she nods her head.

"Okay. Close your eyes for me."

She does, and I walk out of the house, ignoring Karina's muffled pleas, and go to the SUV. I belt Millie in the seat, cover her with the blanket, and put the pillow behind her head. I start the SUV and drive to the one I left a mile down the road and switch vehicles.

Once I put Millie in her seat, I kiss her on the forehead. "Try to get some sleep, sweetheart. Pinky looks tired."

She yawns and closes her eyes.