45

C H A P T E R 3
N O A H
I took a quick, hot shower and massaged the ache out of my legs. I changed into a fairly casual outfit, a navy-blue button-up shirt with dark jeans and socks. I didn’t have to
go to the o ce today, but I still did some work from home.
I was able to work for about thirty minutes when my phone rang. My brows furrowed as I looked at the caller ID. It was Tess’s school, and I knew something was wrong. I answered with a curt, “Yes?”
“Is this Mr. Clark?”
“Yes. Is everything alright?”
“Well sir, Tess didn’t show up this morning for her first period, and she’s absent from her second period as well.”
I tried not to groan because I knew there was no need to panic. Tess wasn’t missing or in danger; she was simply having a bad day. She’d had such a hard time after her mother’s death and began to hide away in her room and not come out for hours on end. I could hear her cry herself to sleep. Even though Carolyn had been gone for two years, we still struggled to come to terms living life without her.
Tess had been out so much she had to be tutored for a couple of months to make up what she’d missed while absent.
“I feel as though Tess might need to see a therapist about some behavior correction. It’s not healthy for a girl her age to just skip school because she doesn’t feel well. Maybe she would do better in a special education environment.”
My brow twitched in anger at the pretentious tone in the principal’s voice. She sounded so high and mighty, as if she knew what was best for my daughter.
“With all due respect, ma’am, I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.” If the woman was anyone other than Tess’s principal, I would have likely ripped her to shreds for insinuating there was anything wrong with her. “Tess is already seeing a therapist by her own volition, and she doesn’t need any behavior correction.”
I could hear the principal huff over the phone, preparing to say something I was certain would piss me off more. I was quick to hang up on her rather than say something I would regret. I wasn’t thrilled that Tess skipped school, but I knew why she did and where she would be.
I put my phone in my pocket and grabbed my wallet and keys before I left the house. I made my way to the mall and tried to ignore the animal in me that wanted to roar in grief. I was able to find a parking spot close to the food court entrance. I got out of my car, wandering into the mall and using the escalator to get to the second floor as if I were in no rush. As I got off, I could see the silhouette of Tess through the shop window.
She was nearly identical to me but with dark hair that fell past her clavicles and bright green eyes. They looked like
malachite, with different shades of green flecked throughout.
Next to Tess was a woman I’d never seen before. She was tall with defined curves accented by her form-fitting shirt and jeans. Her straight brown hair hung around the middle of her back and was tucked behind her left ear. What struck me was her wide brown eyes that reminded me of a doe. For a brief moment, I felt a surge of desire shoot through me. I pushed it back and ignored the warmth that brushed my stomach.
I moved behind Tess and rested my hand on her shoulder. I hated sneaking up on her like that, knew it would scare the daylights out of her, but in a situation like this, that was inevitable.
Tess whipped around to face me. In an instant, I saw all color drain from her already pale face.
Papa… She gulped as she signed, and any frustration that fogged my mind faded.
I sighed, and a heavy weight bore a hole in my heart. I hated that I couldn’t take my daughter’s suffering away from her. I hated that she had to feel even one ounce of it. But I couldn’t shelter her from everything, and she still had to learn that there were consequences to her actions.
Darling, you’re supposed to be at school right now.
Out of my peripheral, I could see the woman look between Tess and me.
I know, Papa. I know I’m supposed to be there. I just couldn’t. I tried. I really did.
Tess brought her right hand up to her face and tugged gently on her hair, a nervous tick she’d picked up after her mother
passed. I stepped in front of her and dropped into a crouch. I was more or less eye-level with her, and I placed a large hand over the one pulling her hair.
It’s ok. I took her hands in mine and squeezed them gently.
I’m not upset with you.
Tears pooled in Tess’s eyes and I pulled her into a hug. I heard her whimper into my shoulder, and I could feel her tears soaking through my shirt before she pulled back and looked up at me.
I’m sorry, Papa! I made it all the way to school, but I felt so sick. I couldn’t be there. No one understands - not the teachers or even my friends. They try to be supportive, but they don’t get it! She hiccupped and blotted her tears on my shirt.
I know, baby, I know. You just need to let me know if you feel like doing something like this again. I don’t want anything to happen to you.
Okay. I’m sorry. I just had to come here. I know it’s been two years since Mama died, but it still hurts so much. I wanted to come here because it almost feels like she’s with me. Like she’s just in the dressing room and is gonna come out any minute to ask what I think.
Her hands flew faster than hummingbirds, and I understood exactly how she felt. The store was one of her mother’s favorites. She would always come and look at all the dresses. After we started dating and later got married, she would drag me inside to get my opinion on all the beautiful and bizarre things she would try on.
I also felt like she was there. I didn’t really believe in the supernatural, but I did like to think that she watched over us. Maybe she did. I didn’t know for certain, but both Tess and I
were emotional wrecks, even if I didn’t display my emotions publicly.
I’d lost my mate, the woman I thought would always be by my side. And Tess had lost her mother, the most important person in her life, besides me. To be in the store she frequented didn’t help ebb the feeling of loss.
You’re ok, baby. Do you want to stay here or go home? Can we stay here?
That’s fine by me. I let Tess go and rose to my full height. I offered her my hand and she gladly took it.
The woman who had been standing with Tess didn’t look at us and was instead busy looking at the jewelry display. I didn’t know her exact role in helping my daughter, but I couldn’t mistake the kindness and compassion in her eyes when she’d looked at Tess.
“Thank you.” My voice was rough with emotions I tried to keep in check. “For keeping my daughter company.”
The unnamed woman nodded and gave me a weak smile. “It was my pleasure.”
I nodded in thanks and watched as she scurried out of the store. As she passed, I thought I caught the scent of lavender.