What Laurel Sees: a love story (A Redeeming Romance Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her face swollen from crying. “But I don’t want to go with Rene.”
    Shana leaned down lovingly. “Darling, listen to me,” she said. “I love you so much, and I know this is terribly hard, but right now I really need you to go with Rene, so I can take care of Daddy.”
    Grace’s gaze shot toward her father’s office. “But is he…?”
    “I’m afraid so, Darling.” Shana stroked Grace’s back. It was all she could think to do. “That’s why I need you to go with Rene, now, just for a bit so I can help the police. Daddy would want that.”
    Understanding registered on Grace’s face. It almost seemed that Grace would have accepted the idea of going with Rene. But that delicate balance of possibility evaporated the instant Grace saw her mother emerge from the stairwell. As horrendous as the situation was, it had just gotten worse.
    “Mommy! Mommy…” Grace cried as she ran into Laurel’s waiting arms. It twisted the knife already in Shana’s heart.
    Across the office, Laurel scooped her daughter up in an embrace. Even as Laurel cradled Grace in her arms, clearly, she was surveying the sobering scene. Tears brimmed in Laurel’s eyes. “Oh, Baby… Shhhhh… I’m here.”
    Shana turned away, but the unfolding horror in Frank’s office wasn’t any easier to watch.
    “Mrs. Fischer.”
    Shana pivoted in time to see Laurel respond to her former name. Detective McTier was back.
    With a quick glare at Laurel, Shana strode toward the detective. “I’m Mrs. Fischer.”
    Detective McTier’s eyes shifted between the women. He nodded toward Laurel. “Detective Gavin McTier, Ma’am.”
    Laurel extended a hand. “Laurel Fischer.”
    “Yes, I’m...” McTier turned back to Shana. “I’m sorry to have to do this now, but—”
    Shana knew there was no way around speaking with the man. “No, of course.” She glanced over at Laurel with Grace.
    “I’ll take her.” Laurel lowered Grace by her side.
    Shana drew in a breath. Grace wouldn’t hear of going with Rene now, not with her mother here. “This is obviously an exception to our agreement.” A taut gaze punctuated her point. “I’ll pick her up myself as soon as I can.”
    Laurel nodded. “I understand.” She took Grace’s hand and quickly led her away.
    Grace went so willingly with Laurel, much more so than set easily with Shana. Only once did Grace turn back, and then only momentarily. Mournfully, Shana watched Grace go. The disturbing scene would be etched upon Grace’s young mind forever. Just like her parents’ scene was still etched on hers.

 
     
     
    four
    I t was such a simple thing—fixing lunch for Grace—but Laurel was grateful for every moment of it. This was how it should be between a mother and her daughter. There was something in the ordinary acts of chopping celery and dicing carrots for tuna salad that affirmed her hope. Their lives would go on, despite the freshness of the tragedy.
    After many tears for her father, Grace had said she wanted to help. Laurel let her stir in the pickle relish and scoop the mixture into pita pockets. Every action seemed so strange, in light of what had just happened.
    Grace didn’t seem ready to talk about it. Laurel understood well. She was still in the throes of processing it all herself. There was something consoling about what was happening during that time of silence they shared. They could just sit quietly and eat. They could savor time with each other, more than the meal. They could weather their grief in the safety of each other’s sympathetic company.
    Just because Frank had divorced and remarried didn’t make the loss any easier for Laurel. Frank was, in truth, the only man she had ever loved. He was also Grace’s father. That would never change. Laurel gazed at Grace’s sweet face. She wanted time with Grace. She’d wanted her back, desperately so. But not this way. 
    There was something almost therapeutic about clearing the table and doing the dishes. There was no