I wasn't allowed to sit in on the conversation with Mia's adopted dad and, quite frankly, I didn't want to. My stomach ached in fear for her mother. It had been a full day since she'd been here, asking about Mia. She'd been missing ever since. And while I didn't know her all that well, I still liked her. Her obvious love for her daughter was clear every time we talked.

Instead I sat at the top of the stairs with Sassafras in my lap and Galleytrot lying beside me as I told them ...