Shadows of You (Lost & Found, #4)

by Catherine Cowles

“You’re going to help my mama save Bambi?” Fuck me. I couldn’t say no to that face or the damn deer.

My thirteen-year-old nephew, Drew, flopped into an overstuffed armchair next to me. “Putting the moves on Ms. Barlow, huh? Respect. She’s smokin’.” He held out a fist for me to bump. I simply stared at him. “Drew…” Lawson warned. “That’s not how we talk about women.” “Come on, Dad, no disrespect. I’m just spittin’ the truth, bruh.” “Well, let’s tone down that truth-spittin’, bruh.”

The little girl had no fear of me. It was a bizarre sensation, that innocent trust. So kind it almost hurt. Cady tugged harder on my hand. “Come on,” she urged. My lips twitched. The little thing was strong, too. I had no choice but to follow.

“Let me take Cady to her next dance class.” Her eyes flared. “Is there going to be a bloodbath if I do that?” My mouth stretched into a grin. “I’m the town pariah for a reason. Everyone’s terrified of me.”

“Crap. I gotta go.” “Where?” Nash asked. “Gotta take Cady to dance and stare down some tiny bitches.” The SUV went silent around me. Nash blinked at me a few times. “What did you say?”

“Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new animal friend at recess.” Hope lit in Cady’s eyes. “We did find a frog once.”

“Tender Heart,”

Not him nicknaming her after a care bear