Chapter 13 Emily
EMILY
Ipulled into my driveway with my brain already halfway to what I’d paint tonight. Maybe that landscape study I’d been avoiding, or something smaller, less ambitious. Yeah, that fit my mood tonight. It had been a long week.
As I reached for my purse, I caught movement on Cam’s front porch. I froze.
Audrey and Alice were huddled together, chins resting in their hands. Even from this distance, the vibe screamed wrong.
I got out of the car, keeping my movements casual even though my heart was already picking up speed.
Don’t freak them out. Just check in. Maybe everything’s fine.
“Hey, girls!” I called out, trying to keep my voice light as I crossed into their yard. “Whatcha doing out here?”
They lifted their heads. Alice’s lip started to wobble at the sight of me.
“We’re locked out.” Audrey’s voice was small. “Mommy dropped us off but Daddy’s not home yet.”
My stomach dropped. I moved closer, crouching down so I was at their eye level. “Okay. That’s okay. How long ago did she drop you off?”
Audrey’s brow furrowed. “Um... I don’t know. A little bit ago?”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’m sure you are, sweetheart. Let’s see if we can figure this out.”
Two little girls were sitting alone on a porch, not knowing when their dad would be home. However long it had been, it was too long.
I kept my voice steady. “Can we call your dad?”
“We don’t have phones,” Audrey said. “Mommy says we’re too young.”
Of course they didn’t have phones. Why would they? They were seven and five.
“When does your dad usually get home?”
“I don’t know. He’s just always here.”
Of course he is.
I sat back on my heels, my mind racing. This was so far from okay. What the hell kind of person just dropped off two little kids without making sure someone was home to get them.
Focus, Emily. Figure this out.
“Alright.” I straightened up, pulling my phone from my pocket. “I’m going to call your dad and let him know you’re here with me, okay?”
“You have his number?” Audrey’s eyes went wide with hope.
“Not yet. But I’ll figure it out.”
I stared down at my phone, the reality of the situation settling over me like a weighted blanket. Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
“Okay.” I pulled up Google. “Your dad owns Rockford Movers, right?”
“Yeah,” Audrey said.
“Right. With the funny commercials.” I typed quickly, pulling up the company website. Multiple locations across the state, a corporate number listed at the top. “I’m just going to call his office, and they’ll get me through to him.”
Please let that be true.
I hit dial and pressed the phone to my ear, giving the girls what I hoped was a reassuring smile. The line rang once, twice, then a perky voice answered.
“Thank you for calling Rockford Movers, this is Jessica. How can I help you today?”
“Hi, yes, I need to speak with Cam Rockford, please. It’s urgent.”
“Is he expecting your call?”
“Ah, um, no, he’s not but—”
“Mr. Rockford is currently unavailable. Can I take a message or direct you to someone else who can help?”
My jaw tightened. “No, I really need to speak with him directly.”
Fuck, this was hard. I could totally just say, “It’s about his daughters” but I didn’t think it was fair to go telegraphing his family issues all over the state. I mean yeah, I’d pull that card if I had to, but it was only fair to try discretion first.
“I understand, but Mr. Rockford is out on a job site today. If you’d like to leave your name and number, I can have him return your call when he’s available.”
When he’s available. Like that was good enough when his kids were sitting on a porch alone.
“How long until he’s available?”
“I’m not sure, ma’am. It depends on when he wraps up the current move.”
I closed my eyes, fighting back the frustration. “Okay. Thank you.”
I hung up and immediately searched for another location.
Alice’s eyes welled with tears. She was seconds away from a meltdown.
“It’s okay,” I told them, forcing brightness into my voice. “I’m going to try a different office.”
The next number rang through to a different receptionist with the same result. So did the third.
By the fourth call, my patience was gone.
“Rockford Movers, this is David speaking.”
“Hi David, I need to speak with Cam Rockford immediately.”
There was a pause. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just put calls through to the GM without verification. If you could provide your name and relationship to Mr. Rockford—”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say that.” I turned away from the girls, lowering my voice so they wouldn’t hear the steel in it.
“Let’s just say that Mr. Rockford will want to take this call.
If he finds out you stopped that from happening, there’s a good chance you won’t have a job tomorrow. Tell him Emily is on the phone.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Please hold.”
Generic instrumental music filled my ear. I glanced down at the girls. Alice had moved closer to Audrey, and they were both watching me with wide eyes.
“Almost there,” I promised.
“This is Cam.” His voice was deep, familiar, and tight with irritation.
Relief hit me so hard I had to lean against the porch railing. My words came out at warp speed. “Cam, hi, it’s Emily. I just got home and found the girls on your porch. They said their mom dropped them off but you’re not home yet and they don’t have a key.”
“Emily?”
Oh, he was struggling to catch up. Deep breath, Emily. “Sorry. Let’s take this from the top. This is Emily. Your neighbor.”
“Oh shit, sorry. David just said some lady wanted to talk to me and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, but it seems the girls have been dropped off early and there’s no one here. They’re a bit worried so I thought I’d call to let you know.” That’s the way. Cool, calm and collected.
“Fuck.”
So much for cool, calm and collected.
The word was sharp, followed by more muttered cursing that was slightly muffled like he’d pulled the phone away from his mouth. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m two hours away on a job. She wasn’t supposed to drop them off until six and I thought I’d be back by then. Fucking hell.”
“It’s okay. They’re okay. I just wanted you to know they’re safe.”
“Thank you. Jesus, thank you for checking on them.” His voice was rough, stressed in a way I’d never heard before. “My parents can’t get them, my mom just had day surgery this morning. I can try to find someone but—”
“I can watch them,” I said before he could finish. “Until you get home. If that’s okay with you.”
His voice was shaky with relief when he said, “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose but—”
“I’m sure. We’ll be fine. They can hang out at my place, or I can take them into your house if you tell me where you keep a spare key.”
“There’s one under the planter by the front door. The big terracotta one on the left.” He paused and through the line, a truck engine rumbled. “I’m leaving now. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
“Take your time. Drive safe. We’re not going anywhere.”
“Thank you, Emily. Seriously. I owe you.” Another pause. “Can I get your number? I’ll text you mine so you can reach me if anything comes up.”
My heart did a weird little flip. “Yeah. Of course.” I rattled off my number and he repeated it back.
“Okay. I’ve got it. I’ll text you in a second. And Emily?” His voice softened slightly. “Thank you. Really.”
“No problem. We’ll see you soon.”
I hung up and immediately looked down at the girls, who were still watching me with those wide, worried eyes. “Okay. Your dad’s on his way home. He said there’s a key under the big planter, so we’re going to go inside, and you guys can show me where everything is. Sound good?”
“You’re staying with us?” Alice’s voice was small but hopeful.
“I sure am.” I held out both hands. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
They each grabbed a hand, and I led them up to the front door. Sure enough, the key was exactly where Cam had said it would be. I unlocked the door and ushered them inside, my phone buzzing in my pocket as we crossed the threshold.
A text from an unknown number:
This is Cam. Thank you again. Text me if you need anything.
I saved his contact and slipped my phone back in my pocket, turning my attention to the two little girls who were watching me like I might disappear if they looked away.
“Alright,” I said, setting my purse down by the door. “Who’s hungry?”