Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Rosie thought for a second, 'Kids should eat something nutritious. What does the supermarket have?' She suggested, "Sandwiches? Buns? Do you want those?"

"Yeah." Bobby nodded.

"Let's go." Rosie turned to leave but felt a tug on her shirt. Looking back, she saw him reaching out his arms.

"Carry me," he said. The carton was a bit high, and he couldn't get down.

Rosie scooped him up, and couldn't resist giving his chubby cheeks a quick kiss.

She teased. "Stuck up there, huh? No idea how you even got there. Let's go get some food."

They left the warehouse and headed to the self-serve food section.

Rosie asked, "Which one do you want?"

"This..." Bobby answered.

"Got it." She nodded.

Bobby picked a tuna sandwich. Rosie heated it and grabbed a bottle of milk, setting it down in front of him.

"Here you go," she said.

Bobby held the sandwich with both hands, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed. "Thank you, miss."

"Eat slowly. If that's not enough, I'll get you more." For such a little guy, he sure had a big appetite.

With the food situation handled, a bigger problem loomed ahead.

While Bobby was eating, Rosie went to find Leon and pointed at Bobby. "Mr. Zepp, has anyone reported a missing kid?"

Since he was found in the warehouse, chances were he came with his parents and got separated. They were probably freaking out now.

"A missing kid?" Leon looked confused and shook his head. "Haven't heard anything."

"Really?" Rosie was surprised. 'How could that be?'

"Could be the parents are still looking and haven't told us yet. I'll ask around. You stay with him for now," Leon said.

"Okay, Mr. Zepp," she replied.

Leon left, and Rosie went back to Bobby. She watched him eat, his face and

hands all messy, then wiped him down with a wet wipe while asking, "What's your name?"

Bobby looked up and answered, "Miss, I'm Bobby," speaking so formally it seemed like he was a little grown-up.

"Bobby." Rosie nodded. "How did you end up here? Did you get separated from your parents?"

"No." Bobby shook his head. "Daddy's at work, I don't have a mom, and Miranda's at home."

Rosie was stunned. 'He came to the supermarket on his own?'

"Then..." Rosie paused, considering. "Do you remember your dad's phone number? Or Miranda's?"

Bobby frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't remember."

That was a problem.

"Rosie." Leon came back. "I asked around; no one reported a missing kid."

"He doesn't remember any phone numbers for the adults at home, too," Rosie replied.

They both looked at Bobby and exchanged a glance. "Let's call the police."

Leon immediately made the call, while Rosie stayed with Bobby. The officers reached within ten minutes.

Rosie was unwrapping a lollipop for Bobby. "Just one, too many will give you cavities."

"Okay..." Bobby licked it and then cuddled into her arms, smiling big. "Thanks, miss. You're so nice."

Rosie chuckled. Kids were so easy to please. She couldn't help but think how lucky he was to end up in the supermarket. If he'd run into the wrong person, it could've been much worse.

Leon led the officers over. "Here's the kid."

"Yes." Rosie quickly stood up, holding Bobby.

One of the officers stepped forward. "Can I take him?"

"No!" Before Rosie could react, Bobby turned and clung tightly to her. "Don't go."

Rosie froze, then smiled at the officer. She gently reassured Bobby, "Bobby, this is

the officer. He's here to help you find your dad and take you home."

Bobby pouted, holding on even tighter.

Rosie sighed.

Seeing this, Leon spoke up, "Rosie, just go with them."

"Well..." Rosie hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she was still working.

"Don't worry, I'll get someone to cover for you," Leon said.

"Thank you, Mr. Zepp." Rosie smiled.

She found Bobby, and since he was so attached to her, she wanted to make sure

he was safely returned to his parents.

"Let's go," Rosie said.

"Together, miss," Bobby said, his pout fading as he smiled.

"You little rascal," Rosie chuckled.

They arrived at the police station. As usual, the officers took their

statements. After Rosie signed the papers, she asked, "Excuse me, how long it'll take to get in touch with his family?"

"It's hard to say," the officer replied.

Since Bobby was under five, his fingerprints couldn't be recorded yet.

"We've uploaded the information to the system," the officer added. "Once someone reports a missing child, we'll be able to find them."

"Okay, thank you," Rosie said.

*****

When Howard got the news, he rushed to the police station. Hervey settled the paperwork while Howard headed straight to see Bobby.noveldrama

In the room, Rosie was sitting with Bobby, drawing. The station had lent them paper and pen.

"All done, miss!" Bobby said.

"Really? Let me see." Rosie was stunned. "Is this me?"

"Yeah!" Bobby nodded, smiling. "It's you."

"This is good! Have you taken art lessons?" Rosie asked.

"No." Bobby shook his head.

"Seriously?" Rosie was even more surprised.

Rosie's grandfather, Ron Miller, was a renowned painter, so she learned art from him growing up. Looking at Bobby's drawing, she could tell that for a kid his age, it was something impressive.

Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

Rosie straightened up. "Bobby, I think that's your father..."

bet

Before she could finish, the door opened, and Howard walked in. He froze when he saw Rosie and Bobby sitting together. "You two...?"dt was completely unexpected.

Rosie was just as surprised. She hadn't expected Howard to be here. She

glanced at Bobby and whispered, "Bobby, he's...?"

"Daddy!" Bobby hopped off the chair and stood up straight.

'He's Howard's son?' Rosie was stunned.

Howard stepped forward, bending to scoop Bobby into his arms. Then he turned

to Rosie. "Sorry for the trouble. He's a handful sometimes."

"It's nothing." Rosie shook her head. "Bobby's been well-behaved. He's no trouble

at all." She was shocked to learn that Howard was Bobby's father.

It made sense why Bobby seemed so mature for his age. He took after his dad.

At the door, Hervey knocked. "Mr. Flynn, the paperwork is done."

Howard nodded and turned to Rosie. "We can go now."

Holding Bobby, Howard walked ahead, and Rosie followed closely behind.