“Anna,” he said gently, “I’m going to help you find her. But first we need to get you out of the cold.”
She nodded slowly.
“Where were you going?”
“I was trying to walk home,” she admitted softly. “But I think I got lost.”
Andrew looked around at the darkening streets and thick snow.
The thought of this child wandering the city alone searching for her missing mother made his chest tighten.
“How about this,” he said. “What if I walk with you? We’ll go to your apartment and check if your mom is there.”
Anna studied his face carefully.
Her mother had clearly taught her to be cautious with strangers.
Finally she nodded.
“Okay,” she said quietly. “You seem nice.”
Andrew smiled faintly.
“Your mom must be very smart.”
He texted his driver to cancel the pickup, then gently took Anna’s small hand in his gloved one.
“Show me the way.”
They walked through the snow together, Anna pointing out turns as her confidence slowly grew.
Along the way Andrew asked questions.
“What does your mom do?”
“She’s a nurse,” Anna said proudly. “She works at the hospital helping sick people.”
“That’s an important job.”
“She’s the best mom ever.”
Andrew believed it immediately.
“And your dad?”
Anna’s voice grew softer.