She immediately refused.
“You don’t understand,” she said. “You tracked down Sophie, called the resort, found Laura, and now you’ve found me.”
Her words stopped me.
She was right.
I had spent the entire situation chasing answers because uncertainty frightened me. I had never stopped to consider how frightening my involvement might be to Mia.
“I’m sorry,” I told her. “You don’t have to trust me.”
Then I made her a different offer.
“My house is open to you and your daughter. No conditions. If you don’t want to come, I’ll leave you my number and go.”
Mia looked toward the portable crib in the corner.
“I get paid Friday,” she whispered.
“Then maybe you don’t need rescuing. Maybe you just need somewhere safe until Friday.”
Her expression softened.
“What about the hospital paperwork?”
“Let’s find out what needs to be done legally,” I said. “And let’s tell the truth.”
Mia picked up her phone.
“Will you stay with me?”
