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Fortunately, the door wasn’t locked

I shouldered it open, relieved when I didn’t see or sht away Winnie’s townhouse was laid out exactly likeoff was upstairs Racing up the steps three at a time, I reached theonto a suitcase, one hand reaching toward the ceiling to disconnect the unit

My jaw dropped

She was totally naked and dripping wet

One hand was clutching a s Behind her, steam from her shower billowed from her bathroom, which must have been what set off the alarm—so on the stairs, and a second later both Hallie and Luna rushed into the bedroom

Startled, Winnie looked over and saw us Her eyes ide as she screa, and toppled backward off the suitcase She landed hard on her ass, ar doll

Averting my eyes, I strode over and disconnected the unit while she scrambled toward the bathrooer towel

But then she slammed the doorand didn’t come out

The eighty-five decibel alarm had ceased, but the sirens in my head continued

I looked at the girls Luna had her hands over her mouth Hallie’s eyes ide, and she pointed to the bathroom door “Winnie was naked,” she whispered “We saw her bum”

“Quiet,” I scolded angrily “You tere supposed to stay at our house You didn’t follow my orders”

“But Daddy, ere scared,” Luna said Her hair was still wet and tangled “We came to find you”

“We’ll talk about it later, but when I tell you to stay put, you stay put—especially in an eency Understand?”

They nodded

“Now go back to our house, both of you”

“But what about Winnie? Is she okay?”

I went over to the bathroo not to picture her naked The shoasn’t running anymore “Winnie? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine!”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’ht tone

A tiny smile inched onto my lips “Are you sure?”