Chasing Second Chances by Shelly Logan Page A

back to Mommy on her own.
    Wait for me, Mommy.

 
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
     
    “Lena!”
    Kate sat up on the bed with a jolt, her breath coming in gasps, tears in the corners of her eyes and beads of sweat on her forehead in spite of the air conditioning in the room.
    Lena.
    She had dreamed of being in the woods, the very same woods where Charlene Morrow’s body had been found. Hearing the children’s voices, she had chased after them until she finally came to a clearing where there was a body bag on the ground. She knelt beside it, opening it, and when she did, she found Lena’s body inside, tendrils of her brown hair caked in mud and dried leaves, dried blood smeared on her cheeks and her blue eyes, the same color as her father’s, open and staring lifelessly at her.
    She gave a loud gasp and buried her face in her hands, just the memory of the dream, which felt too real too much to bear.
    Oh God, please let my little girl and my little boy be safe.
    Beside her, Bryan lay asleep, turned on his side and facing away from her. Except for the slight rising and falling of his shoulders, he was still, letting Kate know she had not awakened him up. Although a part of her longed for the comfort of his arms, for his soothing voice in her ears, she gave a sigh of relief and tried not to wake him as she got out of bed. Bryan must be tired, after all. He needed his rest. Besides, she had been relying on him far too much these past few days and as wonderful as it felt to be able to count on the man she loved in times like this, she also felt like she needed to summon her inner strength so she could be strong on her own.
    Perhaps it is time for you to stand on your own feet.
    As much as she did not like Agent Wilkins, as much as she hated his suggestion, she had to admit that at least that piece of advice was sound.
    Jack and Lena were her children, and no one cared about them more than her, so it was her responsibility to be strong for them even without counting on anyone else.
    She went to the bathroom, still slightly shaking, to wash her face, then wrapping a robe tightly around her silk peach-colored nightgown, she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
    When she passed by the door to Lena’s bedroom, she was tempted to go inside, to find some measure of reassurance, but knowing she would only end up crying, she decided not to. She walked down the stairs, her footsteps not making a sound on the soft carpet, then at the bottom, turned towards the kitchen, intent on getting a glass of water before making her way to the backyard to get some fresh air.
    The light was on in the living room, as it had been since the night the children went missing, like the beacon of a lighthouse ready to guide her children home, but she did not expect anyone to be there—Lloyd’s team went home every evening—which was why she stopped in surprise when she saw someone sitting on the rug.
    Lloyd.
    He was fast asleep, his head resting on the edge of the wooden coffee table in front of his still open laptop, which made her think he fell asleep while working on something, probably intending only on taking a quick nap but ending up dozing off. A few inches from his laptop stood a half empty cup of coffee, while a thin pile of papers rested on his crossed legs.
    She had always thought he was more attractive when he was awake, when he had that commanding presence and that serious expression he was known for, when he was in his work element, but now, as she watched him sleeping, his guard down and his features peaceful, she realized he seemed even more handsome.
    Come to think of it, she had rarely seen him sleeping even back when they were sharing the same bed. He had always gone to sleep late, after all, but still somehow managed to get up earlier than her. Also, during the weeks following Lena and Jack’s births, she had slept in the nursery.
    That was probably one of the reasons why she and Lloyd had fallen apart.
    She wondered if she