When I reach Charlie's group, I crouch beside her. "Are you having fun?"
She nods enthusiastically. "Firefighters are so cool! They save people!"
"They sure do," I agree. "Your dad must be having a good time watching the demonstration."
Her face falls slightly. "Daddy had to leave. He said he had a meeting."
I glance around, confirming Evan is indeed gone. The knot in my shoulders loosens, but a fresh prickle of unease replaces it. Why would he come to the field trip only to leave before it ended?
"Did he say when he'd be back?" I ask.
Charlie shakes her head. "He just said to be good for you and that he'd see me later."
I stand, scanning the station one more time. Evan is definitely gone, but the unsettled feeling remains.
The rest of the field trip passes without incident. We load the children back onto the day care bus, Trenton and Matthew helping with seat belts and counting heads. I sit beside Charlie, keeping her distracted with stories about fire safety.
When we arrive back at the day care, parents are already waiting for pickup. I scan the crowd, half expecting to see Evan, but he's not there.
"Charlie's dad called," Ms. Davis tells me as we help the children gather their belongings. "Said he got held up in his meeting and asked if she could stay for aftercare."
I frown. "He didn't mention that to me."
Ms. Davis gives me a knowing look. "Perhaps he thought better of it after seeing your… friends today."
I help Charlie to the aftercare room, making sure she's settled with a book and snack before returning to the main classroom to finish my day. Trenton and Matthew wait outside, giving me space to complete my work but remaining close enough that I know they're there.
By the time I finish my reports and say goodbye to the last few stragglers, Charlie is the only child left in aftercare.
"She's waiting for you in the playroom," the aftercare teacher tells me. "Her father should be here any minute."
I nod, gathering my things. Trenton and Matthew are waiting outside, their postures relaxed but alert.
"Evan's coming to pick up Charlie," I tell them. "He'll be here soon."
"We're not leaving until he does," Trenton says simply.
We wait in the parking lot, leaning against Trenton's truck. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the asphalt. I'm about to suggest we wait inside when Evan's car pulls in.
He parks several spaces away, watching us for a moment before getting out. He straightens his tie, his eyes never leaving us as he walks toward the building.
"Stay here," I tell Trenton and Matthew, stepping forward to intercept him. "I need to speak with him about Charlie."
"Not alone," Trenton growls.
"It's fine. I'll stay in sight." I squeeze his hand. "Please."
I meet Evan at the entrance, my stomach tight, my hands not quite steady. Up close, I can see the tension in his jaw, the slight darkness under his eyes.
"Morgan," he says, his voice carefully controlled. "I appreciate you watching Charlie after hours."
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about her." I gesture toward the playroom, visible through the glass doors. "She mentioned you had to leave the field trip early."
He nods, his expression shifting to concern. "Work emergency. The joys of being self-employed."
"That must be difficult." I keep my tone professional. "Charlie was quite upset when she realized you'd left without saying goodbye."
A flash of irritation crosses his face. "I'll make it up to her. I always do."