Cece shoved a pile of jeans into the duffel and took a deep breath. She hated leaving Melita again. The only saving grace was that this was probably the last time she’d leave her behind.
“Mommy, I want to come with you.” Melita’s voice pierced Cece’s heart. Peeking over the flap of the duffel, the girl shoved her favorite doll into the bag, trying to be subtle.
“Sweetie, you can’t yet.”
“Why?” The expression on her cherub face broke Cece.
“I have to find a place for us to live, and I don’t have anyone to watch you yet.”
Melita puffed up her chest, her hands on her hips. She bounced on the bed. “I’m big enough to watch myself.”
Barely five, Melita looked old for her age and Cece had hardly recognized her little squirt when she’d come home from the police academy on the occasional leav
