JJ
Millie hit me hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs.
I caught her anyway.
My knees struck the gravel as I wrapped both arms around her, pulling her so tightly against me that she squeaked. For one terrible second, I worried I had hurt her, but then her arms locked around my neck and she buried her face against my shoulder.
“Mommy.”
The word broke something open inside me.
“I’ve got you.” My voice cracked as I pressed my face into her curls. “I’ve got you, baby.”
She smelled like strawberry shampoo. I kissed her hair, her temple, the warm curve of her cheek, trying to make up for two missing weeks with every touch.
Millie pulled back just enough to cup my face in both hands.
“You didn’t come last Thursday.”
“I know.”
“Did you forget?”
The question nearly stopped my h
