she was sure the smile that accompanied her words wiped out any threat.
“You—will?”
Tory looked toward Slade for help. He shrugged and shook his head. She was on her own. “I guess so. But wouldn’t it be easier if I—”
At Slade’s car while opening the back door, Mindy announced, “You—can—sit—” she paused, searching for her words “—in the front.”
“No, that’s—” Tory watched as the little girl hopped into the back seat faster than she had seen her move since she had known her.
Over the top of the car Tory spied Slade looking at her. “I guess I’ll sit in front.”
“Please. I draw the line at being a chauffeur.”
When Slade started the engine and pulled out of the parking space, he asked, “Any favorite place you would like to go?”
“I’m not picky. Wherever you two like.”
The second he maneuvered the car into the flow of traffic Mindy said, “Music—plee-ze.”
Tory switched on the radio. She’d found Mindy loved to listen to it even while working in the barn.
The end of a popular song sounded over the radio, then the announcer came on. “Now for a traffic update. There has been a multicar wreck on—”
Slade switched the dial to Off. Surprised, Tory glanced at him. Then she heard the scream from the back seat.
Chapter Two
“Nooo!” Mindy screamed over and over.
Slade crossed two lanes of traffic to pull into an almost-deserted office parking lot. Before Tory had time to react to the situation, he was out of the car and thrusting open the back door.
He hauled his daughter into his arms and held her tightly to him, whispering, “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re all right. I’m here. Nothing’s going to hurt you ever again. I promise.”
Tory twisted around, desperately wanting to help Mindy. She had come to love the child in the short time she’d known her. The child’s sobs filled the air with her pain, a pain Tory wished she could wipe away.
“Mom-my,” Mindy cried, her voice muffled by the blue cotton of Slade’s shirt.
But Tory heard the pitiful wail and knew the announcer had triggered a memory of Mindy’s own wreck that had changed the little girl’s life forever. Tory’s heart pounded against her chest in slow, anguish-filled throbs, mirroring the distress in Mindy. Tory knew more than most how quickly life could change; one split second could make all the difference. If only she hadn’t gone out…. Tory pushed the memory away, refusing to allow it into her mind. She couldn’t alter the past, but with God’s guidance, she could protect herself.
She caught Slade’s attention and mouthed, “Can I help?”
He shook his head, stroking his daughter’s back. “Sweetie, Mommy’s gone. But I’m here for you.”
“It—it—” Mindy struggled for her words. “It—hurt.”
“I know, baby. But you’re safe now.”
Slade’s eyes slid closed, but not before Tory saw their glistening sheen. Tears clogged Tory’s throat and misted her own eyes. She blinked, trying to get a grip on her emotions that careened out of control.
Mindy shuddered and Slade clutched her tighter. “Mommy’s watching over you, baby. Taking care of you. She’ll always be with you in here.” He laid his hand over his daughter’s heart.
Helpless, Tory drew in deep breaths after deep breaths but still she ached for the pair. She felt as if she had intruded on a private family moment and should disappear. She would give anything to take the child’s pain away, but from experience knew that was something another couldn’t do.
Mindy pulled back, sniffing and wiping her nose. “I—” she sucked in a huge gulp of air “—know, Dad-dy.”
He cupped his daughter’s face in his large hands. “I love you, sweetie.”
She sniffled again. “I know.”
Slade brushed the pads of his thumbs across Mindy’s cheeks, erasing all evidence of her tears. “Are you ready to show Tory a good time?” Tenderness marked his expression as he peered at his daughter with eyes a soft azure. “I thought we would go to your favorite restaurant.”
“Goldie’s?”
“Of course. Is there another?”
“No!” A grin split Mindy’s face.
Slade kissed his daughter, then slipped from the back seat. When he settled behind the steering wheel and started the engine, he threw Tory a glance that caused her heart to flip over. Sadness mixed with a look of appeal for understanding. She slid her hand across the console, almost touching Slade in reassurance. At the last second she pulled back and smiled at him instead.
“I love Goldie’s hamburgers and onion rings,” Tory said to Mindy, trying to ignore the heat of a blush she felt creep up her face at Slade’s intense regard.
“Me, too.” Mindy clapped, her left hand curled so that her palms didn’t meet.
“With everything on it, even onions.”
Tory caught Slade’s look. The smile that glinted in his eyes warmed her. Her blush deepened. Aware his gaze was still riveted to her, she shifted in the leather seat, crossing and uncrossing her ankles. Uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny, she searched for something to say. Silence dominated the small confines of the car. Nothing she thought seemed appropriate so she let the quiet reign.
Fifteen minutes later Slade drove into the parking lot next to Goldie’s. After he assisted Mindy from the back seat, they all headed into the restaurant, decorated in homespun décor, reminiscent of a farmhouse, with the scent of baking bread and coffee saturating the air.
Tory sat across from Mindy and Slade in the booth along the large front window that overlooked a pond. Geese and ducks swam in the water, which drew the little girl’s attention.
“Look—” Mindy frowned, her brow wrinkled in thought “—bab-ies.”
The fluency of the little girl’s speech had improved over the months since Tory had known her, but still the child labored to put her words together, to find the correct word to say. Tory wanted to hug her for her perseverance.
“The last time Mindy and I were here, the geese were sitting on their nests. They’re three couples and it looks like they have all had their babies. Now she’ll want to come back every week to keep track of them.”
“I have a pond, Mindy, on my property. We’ll have to ride there one day and have a picnic.”
“Dad-dy, too?”
Tory’s gaze slid to Slade’s. “Do you ride?”
He
