Page 71 of Far from Destined

“Eat. You’re going to need all the caffeine and protein you can get today.”

I blushed, thinking about exactly why I was exhausted. I nearly swooned at the memories.

Damn, this man.

I cleared my throat and ignored his knowing gaze. “Are you sure you can handle this morning?”

“I’ve got this, Dakota. You can trust me.”

I looked at him and smiled. “I know I can.”

Something crossed his gaze, and I wasn’t sure what it was. Was it pride? Or disbelief?

I didn’t know, but I knew I had said the right thing.

I said goodbye to my boys, and the cats, and made my way to work.

By the timeI made it through traffic to the Boulder Bean, the place was packed.

“Early morning rush started a bit early,” Pop said as she rushed to the back.

I nodded in hello without saying a word, washed my hands, put on my apron, and got to work. I missed opening, but without my babysitters, the others had stepped in, and I had to learn to give in. Jason operated the front, and I worked on orders. We all traded responsibilities often, but I was the fastest at filling orders, Jason was the quickest at taking them, and Pop the best at making sure we had everything we needed. We would likely switch out once the rush was over, with me going back to bake, and Pop and Jason trading places. But for now, this worked.

I barely had time to think of Macon and our relationship, of Joshua’s day at school, or the pact with my friends.

The only thing that even hinted at crossing my mind and invading my bubble of bliss was Adam.

But he had always been able to do that. And I hated that he could.

However, I planned to do my best not to let him ruin everything in my life. He had given me the best part of it—Joshua—and I had to remember that.

“Dakota, the school’s on the line for you.”

I looked over at Pop and frowned, even as a sense of foreboding slid down my body. Chills wracked me, and I swallowed hard, trying to piece together what she was saying.

“The school?”

Pop took the mug and order from me and nodded. “It sounded urgent. Maybe he has a tummy bug?”

I swallowed hard, wiping my hands on my apron as I went to pick up the call on the office phone. I looked in my pocket and realized I had missed three calls on my cell. I nearly threw up.

“Hello? This is Dakota Bristol.”

“Mrs. Bristol, I need you to sit down,” the woman said, and I nearly passed out. I recognized her voice. Was she the counselor? Or maybe the principal. I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t think.

“What-what’s going on? Is Joshua okay?”

“Mrs. Bristol…”

“It’s Ms.” I cursed. “That’s not important. What’s wrong with my son? Where is he?”

A pause. “We’re unsure, ma’am.”

The floor fell out from under my feet, and a scream echoed in my ears.

My scream.

Chapter 17