Page 23 of Second Chance At Love

Maybe he should call Ben. Ben might be able to locate his phone. He was always going on about technology and geo pins or whatever he called them. Henry was in the middle of finding Ben’s contact information when he noticed in the moonlight a hand resting palm up near his foot.

Heart racing, Henry shakily stood. He slowly moved to look inside the playset under the slide to find someone laying still and silent on the cold hard ground.

It took him two tries to make the flashlight on his phone work.

When the light shone over her, Henry sucked in a breath. Slowly going onto his knees, he placed two fingers on her neck, feeling for a pulse.

Was the pulse there, weak and thready? Or was it just wishful thinking on his part?His fingers were so cold and his hand was shaking. Henry wasn’t sure. She didn’t seem to be any warmer than he was.

Putting the back of his hand in front of her nose, he could barely feel her breathing.

“Thank you,” murmured Henry.

Her long blonde hair was in a braid, she wore a peasant blouse and jeans. Her feet were bare. She wasn’t dressed for the weather at all. Just how long had she been out here?

He shook her shoulder, calling her name. “Holly. Holly wakeup.”

She was limp and didn’t respond.

About to call someone, anyone who might help, Henry jumped when the phone rang in his hand.

Heart racing at the surprise, Henry looked at the display before answering the call. “Max, I need you to come to the playground.”

“We are just finishing this grid. It will probably be maybe five minutes if that’s okay. Can you wait that long?” asked Max distractedly as someone said something in the background.

“I found Holly,” stated Henry before lapsing into a coughing fit.

“What?” questioned Max. “I didn’t quite hear you. The signal is breaking up.”

“I found Holly. She’s alive. We are at the playground on the west side near the river,” rasped Henry. His chest felt so tight. He rubbed at it, wishing he had something warm to wrap himself and Holly in. “Did you hear me? I found her.”

“I’m coming,” stated Max.

Henry listened as Max shouted to the others that Holly had been found and where.It was hard to breathe, decided Henry as he sat abruptly on the cold hard ground. Thank goodness help was coming.

That was the last thought he had before he blacked out.

Chapter Eight

Cora was happy.

It had been so long since she was happy, she almost didn’t know quite how to feel about it, except happy.

She hummed as she folded the last of the laundry. Everything was set with the house. The painters were coming and the colors had been picked. The designer had been helpful and a few things were getting switched out but not many. The nursery would wait but the bassinet and some needed items were going in the master bedroom. Cora would keep the baby with her while Henry took the guestroom on the main floor so he wouldn’t have to go up and down any stairs. Once he was feeling better and more able, then she would take over the guestroom as the nursery.

She had new keys from the new locks installed in her new home. The designer had assured her everything would be complete in just a couple of days. The moving company was set up for four days from now. The utilities had been switched into her name.

It was exciting. The place was hers. All hers. No one could take it away, no one could make her do anything she didn’t want to do with it. Cora was going to create a home there for her family. She already was creating a grocery list for delivery. Nate hadn’t allowed her delivery, citing the cost of someone bringing it to the house. Well, Cora decided she was willing to have delivery since she was going to be busy enjoying her new home.

Checking her watch, she frowned. Henry was late. It wasn’t unusual for him to be late, but this was a bit much. Normally he came to watchThe Gorgeous and the Botoxedwith her. Mostlyhe fell asleep part way through, but it was nice to have him for company. It was like their friendship from college had resumed almost where it had left off.

Only they were both older and a little wiser.

At least, Cora hoped she was. If she had a chance to do things differently… well, it didn’t bear thinking about, she told herself firmly, patting her belly. She had three boys whom she adored.

Yet if she didn’t, she would have changed one very important decision. She would have chosen with her head and her heart would have eventually followed.

Shoving the thought aside, Cora checked her watch again. Henry really was late.