Jared shook his head. “No.”
“What do you mean, no? You lied to me! You told me her birth mother was a teenager in Lake Charles!”
He spread his hands, his eyes fiery. “That was what Second Chance told us. I had no reason to doubt them.”
“You lied last night about when she was born and again this morning about a family emergency…”
He gave a humorless laugh. “I’d call this an emergency.”
She gaped at him, so hurt and angry and staggered by the turn of fate, that she didn’t know where to begin making sense of it all. For his part, Jared only stared back at her, a myriad of emotions playing over his face.
“You know you can’t leave town with her,” she said finally.
“I know no such thing.” His tone was flat and unyielding.
“Jared?” A fresh fear pushed in from the edges of her anger. She could still lose Grace. If Jared left the state with her…fled the country.
Protective instincts roared through her. New tears filled her eyes, and she hated the position Jared was forcing her to take. “I’ll call the police if you so much as leave this house with her.”
His hands fisted, and he took another step toward her. “We legally adopted Isabel.”
“How can you say that when I never gave her away? She was stolen from me!”
“We signed papers and filed documents with the court. In the eyes of the law, Isabel is my daughter.”
“You would try to keep her from me?” Elise asked, galled and sickened by the notion.
His jaw tightened, and he growled through clenched teeth, “I’ll do whatever I damn well have to in order to keep my daughter—”
“She’s my daughter!” Elise shouted, losing the battle to keep the writhing whirlwind of emotions bottled up.
Grace wiggled hard, still crying, and Elise loosened her hold, allowing her daughter to pull away from her embrace. Grace twisted at the waist, spotted Jared and lunged for him, arms extended. “Da-dee!”
He took a giant step forward to catch Grace, and Elise had no choice but to release her grasp on her daughter if she didn’t want to start a tug-of-war over the baby. Seeing her daughter tuck her head against Jared’s chest, whimpering and clinging to his shirt, wrenched Elise’s heart.
Jared was the father Grace knew, loved and trusted. Would moving her to a new home with a new parent do irreversible harm to Grace? In time, Grace would love and trust her, too, Elise knew, but would there be a hole in her daughter’s heart where Jared should have been?
I need her. She’s a part of me. I couldn’t bear to live without her.
Jared’s comments from last night made sense to her now. He was pleading with her, laying the groundwork for what would be an emotional uphill battle between them over a baby they both loved.
Elise wrapped her arms around her middle, feeling as if she had to physically hold herself together or she’d crumble any minute. How could she be so close to having Grace back and yet still have her biggest hurdles in front of her?
The open suitcase on the couch caught her eye, reminding her that Jared had been willing to play dirty, to leave town with Grace rather than surrender her. He’d lied to keep Elise from learning the truth. He’d realized who Isabel was and said nothing, despite knowing the depths of grief Elise had been through over losing her daughter and her desperation to get Grace back.
Gritting her teeth, she shoved down the tug of sympathy for Jared’s dilemma and firmed her resolve. She met the hard and determined stare he sent her over the top of Grace’s head. His stony expression told her he had already dug his heels in and was prepared to go the distance.
“I think you should leave now,” he said in a monotone that brooked no resistance.
An icy disappointment and anguish pierced her soul, but she lifted her chin and blinked back her tears. If he wanted a fight, she’d give him one. “Not without my daughter.”
“Isn’t going to happen.”
Acid pooled in Elise’s stomach. This was so not how she wanted to handle their impasse. But as she looked into Jared’s eyes, the compassion for her heartache that had drawn her to him in the past weeks was secondary to his steely resolve. The tenderness and affection for her that she’d experienced as they made love had been shoved aside for stubborn conviction, defensiveness…and fear. A fierce, gripping fear like that of a wounded, trapped animal who would fight his predators to the death. A fear she knew well, because it was rooted in parental love.
With a grieved sigh, she marched over to the kitchen chair where she’d left her purse. Slinging the purse strap over her shoulder, she returned to the living room and faced Jared with squared shoulders. “Leaving town with her will only hurt your case. You don’t want criminal charges against you, so please don’t force my hand on that issue.”
He remained still and stoic, his hand gently patting Grace’s back as she snuffled against his shoulder.
Elise stepped forward to stroke and kiss her daughter’s head. “I love you, Grace.”
Turning on her heel, she walked to the front door and paused with her hand on the knob. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
Chapter 12
The click of his front door closing behind Elise echoed hollowly through Jared’s house…and his heart. He hadn’t felt this empty and bereft since the highway patrol officer and chaplain left him sitting on his sofa, staring blankly into space on the night of Kelly’s accident.
That day, he’d lost his wife. Today, he stood to lose even more. Not only could the courts side with Elise and take Isabel from him, but he feared he’d already lost a bright and vibrant woman with whom he’d fallen in love.
Elise’s anger with him for the lies and deception he’d stooped to were understandable. He wasn’t proud of his actions, but he’d felt cornered. His desperation to protect Isabel had skewed his judgment.
But even lies were forgivable, given time. Yet the hurt and betrayal he’d seen in her eyes bore witness to the deep wound he’d inflicted with his choices. He knew Elise’s history, the value she placed on trust. He’d let her down, and he regretted to his marrow the pain he’d caused her. Regretted even more that in order to keep Isabel, he’d have to inflict more pain on Elise.
He hated the antagonistic and divisive tone of his confrontation with Elise. This wasn’t the way he’d wanted to handle their stalemate. Hostility between them benefited no one. Least of all Isabel. Yet battle lines had been drawn, and he was afraid the damage to his rapport with Elise had been done.
He heaved a weary sigh, full of guilt and frustration for the way he’d hurt Elise and put her on the defensive.
Isabel raised her head from his chest and blinked at him with her bright blue eyes. Elise’s eyes.
And Elise’s golden hair. Elise’s pert nose. Elise’s perfect bowed lips.
His lungs felt leaden. For the rest of his life, he would look at Isabel and see Elise. The woman who’d wakened his heart from the slumber of grief and shown him the possibility of second chances.
Second Chance. Futile anger streaked through him when the adoption agency popped into his mind. He and Kelly had trusted Second Chance much the way Elise had trusted Dr. Arrimand. There was no shortage of betrayal in this scenario.
The butterfly touch of damp baby fingers on his face roused him from his dark deliberations.
“Da-dee?”
He gave Isabel a sad smile. “Hey, princess.”
She turned toward the kitchen and wiggled a chubby hand. “Eat nana.”
His daughter was nothing if not a creature of habit. She had no use for her father’s crises. Routine dictated she eat breakfast as soon as she woke up. Banana and dry Cheerios with a sippy cup of milk. His smile brightened, but a bittersweet ache lanced his chest as he smoothed her rumpled curls back from her eyes. “Sure, let’s go eat banana.”
Jared headed into the kitchen, praying this wouldn’t be the last chance he had to eat breakfast with Isabel.
And knowing
his first task after they ate was to call his attorney.
Elise sent a desultory glance about her ransacked apartment as she entered, dropping her purse on the coffee table. She’d been in no mood to clean house four days ago after being run off the road, visiting the E.R. and finding a burglar in her home, so she hadn’t touched the mess. Now, her fight with Jared and last night’s lack of sleep left her drained and despondent.
She slumped onto her couch and kicked off her shoes. Pulling a throw from the back of the sofa and wrapping it around her shoulders, she gave in to the tears she’d held at bay while driving home. She released the knot of frustration and hurt, anger and dejection that crowded her chest and clogged her throat. She berated herself for having allowed Jared to slip past her defenses and into her heart. Years of experience had taught her to be more circumspect and more discerning with her love and faith, yet she’d repeated the same mistakes again.
She was alone once more, nursing a bruised ego and a battered soul without even Brooke to give her comfort and companionship. She’d been so devastated by Jared’s deception and so stunned by the discovery of Isabel’s birthmark that she’d even stormed out without her cat.
She had no doubt she’d be able to safely retrieve Brooke soon enough. Her real concern was how long it would take the wheels of justice to clear the way for Grace to be returned to her. If Jared fought her for custody—correction, when Jared fought her for custody, because he’d made clear he would move heaven and earth to keep his daughter—he could drag the legal battle on for years.
Her doorbell pealed, and she stiffened. Her heartbeat accelerated as she moved her feet to the floor. Who in the world would visit her at this hour of the morning? Had Jared had a change of heart? Unlikely.
She thought of the thugs who’d run her off the road and broken into her house, but she dismissed the idea. Why would a criminal, intending to harm her, bother ringing her doorbell? Still, she looked for something to use as a weapon as she made her way to the foyer. Hoisting a heavy vase with one hand, she cracked the door open, keeping the security chain in place.
Her brother stood on the front porch, a box of doughnuts in his hand.
“Michael?”
He peered through the crack at her and gave her chagrined smile. “Yeah, I know. Surprised to see me.”
“Hang on a second.” She closed the door long enough to remove the security chain, then let him in.
Michael’s gaze landed on the vase in her grip, and he arched an eyebrow. “You weren’t thinking of using that on me, were you?”
She set the vase aside and sighed. “No, I… Why are you here?”
“I’ve been a little worried about you after that call a couple weeks ago, so I—” He stopped when he saw the upheaval of her living room, and he frowned. “Damn, Elise, what happened here?”
“Someone broke in and ransacked the place, looking for records I had.”
His scowl deepened. “What kind of records?”
“Ones that prove Grace was never at the Pine Mill Hospital morgue.” Elise placed her hand on her brother’s arm, curling her fingers into the sleeve of his jacket. “Michael, I was right. She’s alive. And I’ve found her.”
He shook his head as if to clear it. “Excuse me?”
“Long story. And right now I’ve got to find a good family-law attorney and clean this place up and…” She raked her hair back from her face with her fingers, then looked up at her brother again. “Wait, you came by because you were worried about me?”
He arched an eyebrow. “You sound surprised. I’m your brother. Why is it strange that I’d worry about you?”
Fresh tears pricked her eyes. “Because I…you—”
“Haven’t been a very good brother in the past?” he finished for her. He twisted his lips. “I know. And I can’t promise I’ll be much better in the future. You know I’m not good with emotional stuff, but…” He shrugged and shoved the doughnuts toward her. “I’m here now, and I brought breakfast. So…if you want to talk…”
She took the doughnut box and set it aside. “What I want is a hug. I’ve missed you.”
She put her arms around his back, and he returned an awkward squeeze. “Okay, tell me what’s been going on.”
Grateful for the sounding board to help her sort out the past several days, Elise led Michael to the couch and told him the whole incredible story, starting with meeting Jared at the grief-support group. She’d made it as far as describing how she and Jared had walked in on the burglar in her house when her phone chimed, indicating a new email.
She scurried from the couch to retrieve the phone from her purse, then returned to sit by her brother. Her pulse spiked when she saw who’d sent the email. “It’s from MysteryMom.”
Michael scooted closer to read the email over her shoulder. “You mean you still don’t know who this woman is?”
She waved him off. “She has to protect her identity because of the work she does. I trust her.” Her chest clenched as soon as she spoke the words.
You trusted Jared, too, and look where that got you.
“So what does she say?” Michael wiggled his hand, hurrying her.
Steeling herself with a deep breath, Elise thumbed the key to open the email.
Progress! The federal agents working with me raided Second Chance and seized their records. I’ve narrowed down the list of possible adoptive parents to three names.
Elise didn’t have to read the list to know Jared and Kelly would be one of the couples. But seeing the confirmation of her suspicions glowing on her phone sent a shiver to her core. MysteryMom had the paperwork to support her case to reclaim Grace.
With a heavy heart, she typed, Jared and Kelly Coleman adopted Grace. I know because Jared is the man I’ve been dating.
The man I love. The man who betrayed me.
As briefly as she could, Elise laid out the facts of how she met Jared, how she’d just found Isabel’s birthmark and how he planned to oppose her in court. With a sad sigh, she hit the send key.
Michael repositioned himself to face her on the sofa. “So this guy you were seeing knew he had your daughter, and he slept with you without saying anything about what he knew? What a jerk!” He pulled a sympathetic grin. “Want me to beat him up for you?”
Elise frowned. “No. And I don’t recall saying we slept together.”
He tipped his head. “Really? You didn’t?”
She rolled her eyes. “We did. But I don’t think he realized what was going on until afterward. He said it was when I told him about Second Chance that he put it together.”
“Jeez, Elise, what have you gotten yourself involved in?” Michael rocked back against the sofa cushions and buzzed his lips as he exhaled. “Federal agents? Black-market rings? Sounds like I was right to worry about you.”
She hummed an acknowledgment, then tossed her phone on the coffee table and flopped back on the sofa pillows. A weight sat on her lungs, and thoughts of Jared made her throat thicken with tears. “What a mess.”
“Yeah. Look, I know you didn’t ask for my advice, but if I were you, I’d insist on DNA tests. You’re gonna need every shred of proof you can get when you go to court.”
Elise bit down on her bottom lip, knowing her brother was right. “I hate to think of them poking poor Grace for her blood.”
Michael shook his head. “No blood. They can use a cheek swab nowadays. Completely painless.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “And you know this because…?”
He chuckled. “Hey, not what you’re thinking! I gave a DNA sample when I registered for the bone-marrow donors registry.”
“You did?” She managed a warm smile. “That’s great.” Tipping her head, she asked, “I don’t suppose you also know a good custody attorney?”
“I don’t. But I have a friend who might.”
“Let’s give him a call.” She sat forward, reaching for her phone when it chimed that a new email had arrived. She pulled the email up and opened it.
&
nbsp; “MysteryMom?” Michael asked.
She nodded as she read aloud for Michael’s benefit. “Unfortunately, your visit to Pine Mill Hospital and the raid last night at Second Chance have sent the rest of the people involved in the black-market ring scattering like roaches when the light is turned on. We have arrest warrants for all the scum involved, but we haven’t rounded everyone up yet.”
Michael grunted and scrubbed a hand over his face. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it doesn’t.” The last two lines of the email caught Elise’s attention, and her neck prickled.
Be careful and continue to lie low. You’re still in very real danger.
“You really don’t have to stay with me. I’ll be fine,” Elise insisted, though her brother’s offer touched her deeply.
Michael pulled on his jacket and opened the front door. “No arguments. We don’t know what these people are capable of, and I’m not taking any chances.” He gave her a level look. “I’ll be back as soon as I can pack up a few things for overnight. Lock the door behind me.”
“Yes, Mother,” she quipped, and he made a face that said “smart-aleck.”
After her brother left, Elise straightened the living room a bit, mustering the nerve to phone the attorney Michael’s friend had recommended. When she finally made the call, the attorney’s secretary simply made an appointment for Elise to come in later that afternoon to go over the case details with the lawyer.
Elise sat on the couch, shaking with nervous energy for several minutes after she disconnected. Dread made her feel as if she had concrete in her veins. She wished she could find a way to convince Jared that as Grace’s birth mother, Grace belonged with her. Having her mother was in Grace’s best interests.
She knew at some point the issue of joint custody would come up, but she balked at the idea. Some selfish part of her rebelled against giving up even a little time with her daughter. She’d already missed fourteen months of Grace’s life. And after he’d planned to run away with Grace today, how could she trust Jared not to violate a custody arrangement and take off with her in the future?
Operation Baby Rescue Page 15
