Chapter 18: One Boot in the Snow

Becca made her move at dusk, when the snow had started again.

I was in Eleanor's kitchen with Samson, drinking tea nobody wanted, when the housekeeper came in from the hall.

"The little girl's coat is gone from the hook," she said.

Samson was on his feet before the cup hit the table.

We found the front door standing open and a trail of small boot prints running down the drive.

Ahead of us, at the iron gate, a black car idled with its lights on.

Becca was walking toward it with Maisie by the hand.

Maisie wore her yellow raincoat and one boot, and she was dragging her feet.

Ethan stood by the open back door of the car.

He had come back, as he'd promised.

"Becca," Samson called.

She didn't turn.

"Becca, stop. The judge said no one leaves."

"The judge isn't the one who has to watch you take her!" she shouted over her shoulder. "I'm her mother. I'm done asking."

She was crying so hard she could barely stand.

I ran.

I got to the gate before Samson, and the cold burned my lungs.

Becca stopped three feet from the car, and so did Maisie.

Ethan crouched in front of her in his good navy coat.

"Maisie," he said, kind and low. "Come on, sweetheart. We're going for a drive."

Maisie looked at him, and at her mother, and at me.

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