The Forbidden Trilogy(169)

"We can help you both," I said. "I can't wait to see you."

He handed the phone back to his mom, who sighed. "I don't know what to do, Sam. I can't protect him from my fears and worries anymore, and it's eating away at him."

"That's why you have us. We'll find a way together, I promise."

We said our goodbyes and I pulled out my sketch book to distract myself while I waited.

Time stretched on and after awhile I couldn't stand being alone. I checked Ana, who slept soundly, and turned on her baby monitor, then hooked it to my jeans before leaving my room to roam the house and see who else might be awake.

In a group this size, someone could almost always be found in the kitchen, and a cup of tea sounded good, so I headed there first.

It didn't take long for company to arrive. Darren walked in and yawned. "What are you doing up?"

"Tommy's coming tonight. I can't sleep."

"Oh, right! I forgot. That's cool. You must be excited to see him again."

"I am." That assignment plagued me more than any other. If Tommy had been a girl, he would have been his father's prey. Instead, he had become a different kind of victim of Mr. Beaumont's sick perversions. I'd done the right thing, turning him in to the FBI, but I'd destroyed their family in the process. Now I hoped I could help them rebuild their lives.

"Do you mind if I join you? I couldn't sleep either."

I gestured to the chair next to me and smiled. Darren had become a good friend in the last few months and I appreciated the company.

Ana cried just as the tea kettle hissed.

Darren walked to the stove. "I'll make us tea if you want to get her."

I thanked him and went back to my room. Ana fussed and cried in her crib and I lifted her and rocked her. When she still didn't calm, I sighed and brought her to the kitchen with me.

Two cups of chamomile sat on the table, steam wafting through the kitchen. Ana didn't settle down, and I didn't want to risk drinking hot tea with her squirming in my arms. I looked longingly at the cup while I rocked her.

Darren laughed. "Why don't you drink, and I'll rock her for a bit?"

I passed the baby to him. What could it hurt? She instantly calmed down as he hummed a nonsensical tune and rubbed her back from top to bottom. He had a gift I coveted.

"How'd you do that?"

"A trick I learned while on assignment once. Babies get gassy and that's often the cause of their fussiness. Rubbing their backs this way helps push the gas out and makes them feel better."

My eyes widened as I took in the total Darren package. I hadn't looked at another guy in that way since Drake left, and I still couldn't go there entirely, but in that moment I realized it might be possible to move on. Someday. There were other men in the world—attractive talented men with good hearts.

I sipped my hot tea and watched Darren. With a nod from me he took her back to my room and came back to join me.

"That was impressive. You're good with kids."

"Thanks. I like them. I like working with the younger kids here, teaching them and helping them. I hate that all the little ones and babies are still trapped. I hope Luke and Lucy are close to freeing them so we can bring them home."

Home. He and Mrs. Beaumont both used that word, and for the first time I realized this place really had started to feel like home. We still had growing pains as we worked out training schedules and class times, not to mention the cramped living space, but that shift had happened when I wasn't looking. What had been a safety net to fall back on had turned into something so much more, and people I'd known all my life at arm's length had suddenly become family.

The kitchen clock, an old antique Father Patrick had brought, chimed twice. They should have been here by 1:30 a.m. I checked my phone, but no one had called, so I reached out and opened myself up to my new gifts—and a powerful darkness swarmed me. An urgency filled me, images flashing in my mind. The dream of Serena played itself out in front of me, but instead of the girl, it was Tommy's hand that reached for me, his voice that pleaded for me to help him.

I jumped up from my seat in a panic. "Something's wrong! I just felt Tommy, and he's in trouble. I have to go to him."

"Sam, calm down. Do you even know where they are?"

"They were on their way here from the airport. I'll follow the route. Will you watch Ana?"

"You shouldn't go alone. Get ready, and I'll find Susie to help with Ana, okay?"

I nodded and ran to my room. Ana slept peacefully. I kissed her head and realized this would be the first time I left her with anyone. I paused and stared down at her beautiful cherub face. Maybe I should take her with me. No, she'd be safer here.

Reluctantly, I left her side and slipped shoes and a jacket on, then grabbed my purse.