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Maddie!” His mom came rushing in from the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” “Where’s Maddie?” Panic already clogged his throat. Charlotte’s eyes widened. “She said she was going to see you at the bar.” “And she hasn’t come back?” “No,” she said, shaking her head “Did something happen?” “I’ve got to find her.” Charlotte put her hand on his arm. “What happened?” He stiffened and looked down into his mother’s eyes. They were filled with concern, with loss and sorrow. They were sad, troubled eyes. He took a deep breath and said, “We got in a fight. I told her to leave.” “Oh, Mitchell,” she said, whisper soft. “I have to find her, Mom.” His voice shook. “She can’t be gone—all her stuff is here.” “You’ll find her. Everything is going to be all right.” It didn’t ease his anxiety. “What if she went home?” His mother’s fingers trembled on his arm. “Then you’ll go get her.” His throat grew so tight that he thought he might choke. “What if she won’t come back?” “You’ll find a way to make it work. I promise.” “How do you know?” Her eyes grew bright and she blinked rapidly. In thirty-four years, he’d never once seen his mom shed a tear, even at her parents’ funerals. “Because you love her and she loves you.” He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t even breathe. He managed a sharp nod. She gave him a watery smile. “Now go and do whatever you can to fight for her.” “I will,” he croaked out. Maddie Donovan was a woman worth fighting for, and he’d move heaven and hell to get her back. His
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