“Ba-th-ro-oom.” Mindy labored over the word, the lines in her face deepening.
“I’ll wait out here in the reception area for your dad while you’re gone.”
“Be back.” Mindy made her way across the room and disappeared through the door where clients went for their speech therapy.
Picking up a magazine, Tory began flipping through it, not really seeing the words on the page. Slade was fifteen minutes late. Why hadn’t he called? What was wrong? She chewed on her lower lip, her own worry coming to the foreground. Finally she gave up trying to read the magazine and tossed it back on the table in front of her.
The outside door swung open, and Slade entered. He was all right, Tory thought, her gaze skimming down his length. Relief shimmered through her.
When he caught sight of her in the corner, he hurried to her and sat next to her. For just a second Tory’s heart sped. She pressed her lips together to still her usual reaction to someone invading her space.
“I’m so sorry I was late. My cell phone is dead so I couldn’t call you to tell you that I was sitting in traffic waiting for them to clear up an accident.”
“Anyone hurt?”
He frowned, his blue eyes dark. “Yes. It was a mess. They’re still working on it.”
“Dad-dy!”
Slade looked toward Mindy who stood a few feet away. The little girl launched herself at her father, throwing her arms around him.
“You oo-kay?” Mindy plastered herself against her father. “What—” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Tears shone in her eyes and one slipped down her cheeks.
Slade smoothed his daughter’s hair back from her face and kissed the top of her head. “I’m fine. Just delayed. I couldn’t call. Sorry about that. I know how you are when I’m late.”
“Su-re—okay?” Mindy sniffed.
He squeezed her to him. “Yes, sweetie.”
“He just got stuck in traffic,” Tory said as she rose and gathered up her purse.
“What—was—a mess?” Mindy leaned back to peer at her father.
Slade paled. “Nothing important.”
“Dad-dy, what?”
He forced a laugh. “My day, sweetie, but not now. How about us taking Tory out to dinner? I think she deserves our thanks for helping us out.”
“Yes!”
Mindy’s excitement touched Tory. She’d always wanted children—lots of them—but didn’t see how that goal was possible now. Slade was so lucky to have a daughter like Mindy. “How can I refuse?”
“You—can’t.” Mindy scooted off her father’s lap and took Tory’s hand, pulling her toward the door.
“I guess my daughter is hungry, even though it’s not much after five. Do you mind an early dinner?”
Laughing at Mindy’s eagerness to leave, Tory tossed back over her shoulder while the child was dragging her through the opened door, “I’m always hungry, so I can eat early or late or both. Where are we going? I can follow you in my truck.”
“Leave your truck here and I’ll bring you back for it afterward.”
“I can follow—”
“Plee-ze,” Mindy said, stopping in the middle of the parking lot.
“You make it hard to say no, young lady.” Tory forced a scolding tone to her voice, but 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