Free Second Chances by Randi Cardoza Page A

of the tub to dry her off. Next, Kenzi attempted to comb Emma’s dark hair but couldn’t manage to get the brush through it. Finally after a half hour or so they were finished and Emma was yawning.

“I only have one bed, so you’ll have to share with me, okay?” Kenzi asked as she showed Emma to her room.

Emma’s tired eyes widened at the array of colors but she had to stifle another yawn. Kenzi tucked her into the bed and went down to the living room to read for a while.

Across town, Shawn is looking at a computer profile in disbelief. There had to be a mistake, this could not possibly be happening.

He quickly called Kenzi to tell her the news.

“Hello?”

“Kenzi, it’s me. You won’t believe what I’ve found out,” Shawn said as he shuffled papers.

“What?”

“Remember the whole false pregnancy thing in high school? Where Jan claimed I was the father of her baby and we almost broke up but DNA cleared me?”

“Yeah. What’s this about Shawn? What does that have to do with this?” Kenzi asked sitting up in her chair.

“Emma is the baby. She has a birth defect and looks younger than her age. Emma’s mother is Jan. She married Jason Sullivan and Jason is in jail for beating on Emma.”

“Oh my God! You’re sure, Shawn?” Kenzi asked looking towards the stairs.

“This computer printout I have includes a picture of her and Jan together. They’re nearly identical except the girl has straight hair and blue eyes.”

“Are you going to go talk to Jan or what?” Kenzi asked as she began to pace.

“I can’t believe she’d kick the girl out of the house since Jason was arrested. Maybe Emma ran away. I’m going to the address on this profile to see if Jan will talk to me.”

“Be careful. You know how Jan is once she’s been burned. She’s libel to throw you out before hearing you out, Shawn.”

“I will. I love you, Kenzi.”

“I love you, too. Bye,” Kenzi said and hung up the phone.

Why did it seem like Jan had been haunting their relationship since high school, Kenzi wondered.

She went up to bed and tried to avoid getting kicked by one of Emma’s flailing limbs. Kenzi gently put an arm over her to calm her down and Emma fell right back into a peaceful sleep.
     
     
     
     

Chapter 13

By the time Kenzi woke up the next day Shawn was on his way to Memphis. Emma was wide-awake and was sitting by the bed staring at Sunshine, Shawn’s puppy.

“How did she get in here?” Kenzi asked knowing the dog wasn’t there the night before.

“I don’t know. She was lying at the bottom of the bed when I woke up. Is she yours?” Emma asked looking up at Kenzi as she tentatively petted Sunshine.

“No, she belongs to Shawn. Let’s go downstairs and see if there are any more surprises that he left for us,” Kenzi said getting up and heading toward the door. “Come on, Emma. I’ll make you pancakes and sausage for breakfast.”

“Can I have eggs instead of pancakes? They make my tummy hurt,” Emma asked as she and Sunshine followed Kenzi down the stairs.

“I guess so. You can sit at the table and watch while I make breakfast. Now let’s see if Shawn left us anything else,” Kenzi said as she pushed open the door to the kitchen.

Sitting on the table was an orchid in a vase along with a note and a bag of puppy food.

My Kenzi,

I’m sorry I had to leave so soon after we got back but you know what the job is like. I’m sorry to spring Sunshine on you like this but mom and dad took Mia and Tommy out on the boat right after I picked her up.
I contacted the police and they are going to be by to take Emma to a foster mother, surprisingly it’s Greta Blane. I know Emma will love her and you’ll probably be back here for a little while because of the Mortimer case.
I’ll call you if I can. I can’t wait to see you again, my love.

Love always,
Shawn

“What did Shawn say, Kenzi?” Emma asked as she climbed onto a chair by the kitchen table.