That was where she noticed the mother and her young daughter. The child couldn’t have been more than one—unsteady on her feet, delighted by everything. Alyssa smiled when the girl waved at her, sticky fingers grasping the air with intent seriousness.
The mother laughed and apologized automatically, already tired in the specific way only traveling parents are. Alyssa waved it off, crouching slightly to play peekaboo. The child squealed, delighted, as if playing with Alyssa had always been part of the plan.