I sighed in relief. Maybe I should just shut the doors next time. I always left the doors ajar so that Little Hayden could return whenever he wanted. Now I wasn’t sure what was the better option.

Perhaps after I get over my little panic from just now, I could still leave the door open.

This place is safe. This place is safe. This place is safe.

I repeated those words to myself in a small whisper as I made my way back into the studio. Once I immersed myself into my artist mode, I didn’t find it hard to refocus back on the painting that was right in front...