The field day at Ridgeview Elementary hummed with noise.
Speakers crackled announcements of the next events and their locations. Lily Blackwood’s ears twitched. Even in the chaos she caught the call for her race.
“Uncle Derek. Mom.” She tipped her face up toward Derek Sinclair and Naomi Hart. “My race is starting. Candy and I have to go.”
Before either adult could answer she tugged Candy’s hand and pulled her toward the waiting area. Lily was small; Candy, still half-distracted, stumbled after her. Yet the moment they were moving, Candy twisted around and flashed Derek and Naomi a bright, perfect smile.
Derek’s brows drew together. Something about that smile sat wrong. It lacked the careless brightness a child her age should have.
The two small figures vanished into the crowd. Derek k
