“Is that the huge white Victorian house?”
Her eyes widened. “Yes. How did you know?”
“I’ve been trying to find you, and I found that address. When I went there, your mother said you didn’t live there.”
She blinked several times, but she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. She hadn’t let herself because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop if she broke down.
“Ah, honey.”
She gasped when Devon picked her up, sat down in one of the living room chairs, and set her in his lap. He pressed her head against his chest.
“Cry, sweetheart. You’ve had a tough time lately.”
She nodded, and then sobs started tearing out of her throat as she clutched his shirt in her fist. She had no idea how long she cried, but when the storm of misery passed, she felt wrung out and unable to lift her head.
“I’ve got you, baby,” he murmured against the top of her head.
She felt safe for the first time since her family was separated. She’d felt safe with her grandmother and aunt, but she never knew when her mother would show up and want to take her with her.
Her fear started to grow when her grandmother died, and then it got much worse after her aunt had a stroke and had to live in a facility that helped her rehabilitate. However, Emma was afraid she’d never been able to come home again. They had been teaching her to do as much as she could so she’d be able to take care of herself. All she knew was she hated being the only one there. It left her in the house alone and defenseless.