dge of the bed, staring blankly at her laptop. Casey had s

. A text from an

a vid

play, her sto

ed floor-to-ceiling in Frozen theme. Balloo

ghing. Ashlea stood next to them, holding

a!" Sophie squealed into the camer

r arms around Darius's neck. He pulled h

ting Sophie's birthday without her,

e phone onto the mattress. Her chest tight

ace Park. The sounds of children laughing and playing usually

near the swings,

pink caug

She was sitting alone on a swing, draggi

ped and bolted after it, heading straight toward the busy road bordering the park. A

the waist just before she reached

sudden grab, struggled

short-circuit

dener had left a small hand trowel on the grass. Em

d down!" Emma screamed

the traffic, didn't hear her over the roar of a passing truck. He

veins. She was fast. She cut acro

didn't hesitate. She raised the trowel an

mbling to a halt and instin

girl in his arms stopped cr

catched the balloon!" Summe

nd pulled back his h

er from the air

mma a pained, confused look. "Ma'am... I was