Page 147 of The Moments You Were Mine

The lock clicked open, and Mom rushed through the door on two feet. Her moves were awkward and stilted, but she was upright on a prosthetic limb hidden below her yoga pants. Joy at seeing her standing had me rushing over to her, prepared to swoop her into my arms, but I didn’t get a chance. She hugged me to her first, holding on so tight I thought we’d both topple to the ground.

“I’m sorry,” she cried. “God, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”

I squeezed her back. “I’m sorry you were hurt before they came for me.”

Then, Dad was there, striding into the house behind her and pulling us both into strong arms. For a moment, it brought back pained memories I’d tried hard to forget—us sharing this same kind of desperate and relieved hug after Sadie and I had been taken by Adam and Theresa.

When we eased back, Sadie was there, taking her turn squeezing me.

“You saved yourself again,” she said, emotions choking her.

I pulled back to wipe at the tears on her face. “No. This time, Parker saved me.”

“You left the clues for Sweeney and me to follow, Ducky,” Parker said, easing in next to me. “You had the key to that goddamn shackle before I’d even gotten to you. I’d say you were well on your way to saving yourself.”

Dad and Mom watched with narrowed eyes as Parker drew me to him so my back was to his chest and his arm banded my waist.

Before they could comment, I asked, “Where are Spencey and Caro?”

“We sent them on to Tennessee with the jet,” Sadie said. “We weren’t sure what we’d find when we got here.”

Her eyes were cloudy, and I hated that what had happenedwas making her relive her own traumas—not only the time with Adam but the things that had happened to her long before I’d ever come into her life. But maybe it was those shared traumas that had bonded my stepmom and me more than I’d ever felt bonded to my mother.

When I looked over at Mom, she looked sad, as if she was once again on the outskirts of my life. Some of that had been her doing. Some of it had been mine. But I could fix it. I could jump the gap and pull her close. I could do my best to make sure she didn’t feel alone any more than I did.

I moved away from Parker and clasped her hand. “I love you, Mom.” Her eyes turned wide. I looked down at her prosthetic. “And I’m so proud of you. For your bravery and resilience. You know I learned that from you, don’t you?”

She sobbed and leaned into me.

A car engine drew our gaze to the yard. The dark SUV had barely stopped before the vehicle’s back door opened, and Theo jumped out.

As he raced up the steps, Parker bent low, and the little boy flew into his arms.

“Missed you, bud.” Parker’s voice was thick and heavy with emotion. He extended a hand toward me, and I went to them, surrounding them with my arms and my love.

Theo was the first to pull back, looking from Parker to me. “Grandpa said the bad guy is all gone. Did you rescue Fallon from a tower like in that princess movie?”

I smiled, and Parker laughed. “A cave. And Fallon is a warrior princess who was already beating the bad guy at his own game before I got there.”

“And you helped me,” I told Theo.

He looked at me wide-eyed, pointing to his chest. “Me?”

I nodded. “You were right. The bracelet you gave me worked like a charm. I used it to leave clues for Parker to find me.”

Theo flushed happily.

“We’ll replace it,” Parker said solemnly. “Then, you’ll always have protection.”

And in the rosy hue of sunrise that filled the house, my life felt miraculously whole. Not just because of this family Parkerand I were forging but because of the people who’d stood by me my entire life, waiting for me to realize I’d never been alone and never would be again.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Parker

MAKING MEMORIES OF US

Performed by Keith Urban