If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(19)

"I suppose."

"What happened to her mom, Jeremy?"

He cast a quick look at the door and then dropped his voice. "She was killed in a robbery at a convenience store. Ashlyn was with her when it happened."

"Oh, my God," she said, horrified by his answer. "No wonder she's so troubled."

"She's seeing a therapist. The doctor told me that it's going to take time and that I shouldn't ask questions about what happened, which means you know as much as I know."

"But surely you spoke to the police."

"I did, and I know the basics. I know who killed Justine. There were a dozen witnesses to the incident. He's going to jail for a long time, and, thankfully, Ashlyn does not have to testify at the trial. I don't want her to ever have to see that man again."

"No, she shouldn't have to do that."

"But what I don't know is exactly what happened that night, other than that they were in the convenience store. I don't know if Ashlyn's mother was killed instantly or if she said anything to her daughter…" His voice trailed away. "I don't know what Ashlyn saw or heard or thought. It's all locked up in her head."

"Maybe one day she'll let it out."

"I hope so. Besides that horrific incident, I know nothing else about Ashlyn's life, which is also disturbing. The social worker I spoke to had no records on her. She lived with her mother; that's all they knew. She had no other living relatives. Apparently, Justine and Ashlyn had been in San Francisco for a year and before that they'd been in Los Angeles. As for friends, no one came forward to try to take care of Ashlyn after her mom died."

"There must have been someone who knew Ashlyn and her mom. She must have gone to school. They had neighbors."

"The apartment they'd been living in was already rented out to someone else by the time I was informed of Ashlyn's existence. Their meager belongings were put into storage, and I didn't take anything. It's still there waiting to be gone through. I thought it would be more painful for Ashlyn to see her things all boxed up, so I left it alone. I did ask her if she had a favorite doll or stuffed animal, but she just shook her head."

"Where was she living?"

"With a foster family. They had three other kids they were taking care of. They said she was no trouble, but that she didn't speak to them, either. I can't imagine what was going on in her head. She loses her mother. She's placed with strangers."

Her heart went out to Ashlyn. "It sounds awful. No child should have to go through that."

"I thought she'd be happier to see me or that at least she would have questions, but she doesn't."

"I'm sure she does," Mia said, seeing the discouragement in his eyes. "How could she not?"

"Then why won't she talk to me?"

"I'm sure the doctor could give you a better answer than me, but maybe she just needs time to feel safe with you and then she'll open up."

"I hope so."

"You could always try holding a lemon bar hostage," she said lightly, trying to defuse the heavy mood.

He tipped his head. "Good idea. Ash did say something to me last night."

"What was that?"

"I want Mommy."

Mia sighed at the poignant words. "That's rough."

"Tell me about it. The one thing she wants, I can't give her."

"I'm sorry. I guess I understand now why you would have given in on dessert. I was trying to be a responsible babysitter."

"It's not your fault. At least she spoke to you."

"Because she was mad."

"Anger is better than the nothingness I get."

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll piss her off at some point."

A reluctant smile crossed his lips. "You think so?"

"I think it's pretty much a guarantee. I adored my father, but he still annoyed the crap out of me at times."

"Good to know. So is Dina's Café all right with you?"

"You and Ashlyn can go to lunch on your own. I need to go to the market this afternoon."

"You can shop later. I'm buying you lunch. No arguments."

"Well, I am hungry," she admitted. "I could have eaten a second lemon bar, too."

"How did you bake if you didn't have any food in the house?"

"Kara Lynch brought me a welcome dessert tray. Do you know her?"

"I went to school with Kara. I haven't seen her in years."

"She was really nice. She wants to introduce me to everyone in town."

"That sounds like Kara. Her family has always been at the center of town activities."

"That's what she said. I liked her, especially because she didn't laugh at my new idea."

"What idea is that?"

"I'll tell you over lunch," she said as Ashlyn gave them an impatient look from the hallway. "Someone is hungry."

"I can see that. Let's go."



*



Dina's Café was crowded with both locals and tourists, but they were able to snag a corner booth after just a short wait.