The Returned by Bishop O'Connell Read Free Book Online

tight.
    Mallory looked unsure for the briefest of moments, but then she smiled—actually smiled—and hugged Fiona back.
    â€œHow is her face not cracking?” Edward asked in a low whisper.
    Caitlin stifled a laugh.
    â€œThank you very much for letting me stay with you,” Fiona said as she stepped back from the hug.
    â€œWhat is all the commotion out here?” Daniel said in mock anger as he came up to the door.
    â€œSorry, Taid,” Fiona said. “Nana and I were just saying hello.”
    There was a very brief moment of silence among the adults. Edward’s father gave him a questioning look, but Edward just shook his head.
    â€œWell,” Daniel said, his surprise gone, “I suppose the ruckus is understandable, then.”
    Fiona turned to Mallory. “Nana, we’re going to have to keep it down around Taid.”
    â€œOr we can just send him to his study while we have our fun,” Mallory said conspiratorially.
    â€œYeah,” Fiona agreed.
    â€œWell, let’s get you unpacked,” Mallory said and held her hand out to Fiona, who took it. She led Fiona down the hall. “You’ll be staying in your daddy’s old room. Then we’re going to the park.”
    Edward looked on, dumbfounded.
    â€œBye, Mommy,” Fiona said as she ran back and gave Caitlin a big hug and kiss. “I love you.”
    â€œI love you too, peanut,” Caitlin said. “Be good.”
    â€œI love you too, Daddy,” Fiona said.
    Edward bent down and hugged Fiona. “I love you.”
    Then she ran back to Mallory and disappeared down a hallway.
    Edward just stared after them.
    Daniel patted his shoulder but looked at Caitlin. “Thank you for asking us to do this,” he said.
    Caitlin smiled. “My pleasure.” She handed him a sheet of paper, which he took. “You’ve got our cell numbers, but just in case, here’s the number for the hotel, as well as Henry and Hannah’s cell numbers. If you need anything, call anytime.”
    â€œOf course,” Daniel said. “The same goes for you. Call anytime you want to talk to her.”
    â€œI’m going to hold you to that promise,” Caitlin said. “From the looks of it, I’m going to miss her more than she’s going to miss me.”
    â€œI’m sure that’s not true,” Daniel said. “But we’ll do our best to keep her occupied and spoil her rotten before we give her back to you.”
    Caitlin laughed and hugged him. She was surprised, pleasantly so, when he hugged her back. “Thank you, Daniel.”
    â€œGo on, you two,” he said, breaking the hug. “Get out of here so I can enjoy some time with my granddaughter. Have a good time.”
    â€œWe will,” Caitlin said.
    Daniel closed the door, leaving Edward still bewildered.
    â€œI think I better drive,” Caitlin said through a laugh, taking the keys from Edward.
    â€œThere must be some mistake,” Edward said, still staring at the house as he walked to the passenger side of the car.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Caitlin asked as she got in and buckled up.
    â€œThose were not my parents,” Edward said and shut his door. “They must’ve been replaced by aliens or something.”
    Caitlin started the car and headed to the airport. “A wizard has nothing on the power of a little girl,” she said. “Besides, don’t be too hard on them. Either because of them or in spite of them, that childhood is the reason you are who you are. And I love that person very much.”
    Edward took her hand and kissed it, then smiled. “You are so getting a foot rub tonight.”
    â€œJust tonight?” Caitlin asked. “Oh, no. There will be weeks of foot rubs.”
    â€œW e made it safe,” Caitlin said into her cell phone. “No, Mallory, Edward is driving.”
    Edward chuckled a little as he navigated I-10, occasionally