Excerpt: Lost & Found

The French knife shook in Kate's trembling hand. Count to ten, she told herself.
One. I will not murder anyone today.
Two. I will remain calm.
Three. There is hope.
Four. I wanted children.
She put the knife down and leaned on the kitchen counter, head down.
Five. I have a purpose.
Six. This, too, shall pass.
Seven. I will remain calm.
She inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly.
Eight. Who needs fine china anyway.
Nine. Tomorrow is a new day.
Ten. I'm fine.
Another sigh and Kate picked up the knife and resumed chopping the lettuce. She would clean up the mess later. Right now there was no time. She had to make lunch, feed the kids, and get to the center in 30 minutes.
On top of that, Mark was having a bad day today. It was going to be tough to get him in the van. She'd have to pull out her secret weapon. His favorite toy train.