CHAPTER NINE
Five minutes later, the sun had fully set. Mia poked her head out, finding it completely dark except for the flashing VACANCY sign in the distance. All of the nearby streetlights seemed to be out.
Right about now, if she was home, she’d be telling Kelsey to get up and ready for bed. Kelsey would complain, saying she wanted more snuggles, but Mia would be adamant, finally having to pry her daughter’s arms off her and send her into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Now, she would’ve given anything for another snuggle from her little girl. It felt like eons since she’d been able to do that.
She shook off the memories that threatened to turn her into a sobbing mess. She had work to do.
The desert air had already turned chilly. As she took a step out, a gunshot went off nearby.
