~ Few Hours Later ~
The doorbell rang just as I was pouring myself a much-needed glass of wine. My shoulders tensed, the bottle suspended mid-air. Only one person would show up unannounced at nine-thirty on a Tuesday night.
"Mommy?" Austin called from upstairs. "Someone's at the door!"
"I know, sweetheart," I called back, setting the bottle down with trembling fingers. "Stay upstairs with your brother. I'll handle it."
The boys had been restless all evening, as if they could sense the storm coming. I'd tucked them in an hour ago, but knew they were still awake, whispering in the dark. They were too smart not to notice the tension vibrating through our new house since Elizabeth had spotted us at the park.
The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.
"I'm coming," I muttered, smo
