Won't Go Home Without You

by Cheris Hodges

  “What? Did they take it well?”

  Logan shrugged. “I got hush money or, as they call it, a severance package. This is going to be the nest egg I’ll need to start my practice here and maybe in Charleston.”

  Robin smiled broadly. “So, that means I can finally be one of those doctor’s wives like on the reality shows?”

  “No,” he quipped. “You’ve still got to work. But we can spend more time with Pops and figure out who his girlfriend is. My money is on a church lady that Roberta introduced him to.”

  Robin thumped him on the shoulder. “My father does not have a girlfriend.”

  Logan kissed her on the forehead. “Whatever you say.”

  “Anyway,” she said. “Don’t you think we need to focus on something more important?”

  “Trust me, I’m focused.”

  Robin leaned against his chest and sighed. “Hopefully, this all ends today. Have you heard from Liam yet?”

  “He should be here soon,” Logan said. “Can you calm down?”

  She shook her head. “This is a different case because this is so personal. When I think about all of the time she took away from us, I just want her to pay and suffer like I did. Like we did. It’s not fair that she used an innocent child like this. Kids aren’t pawns, and she played him in this dirty chess game. And for what?”

  “She picked the wrong doctor this time. I wasn’t tempted to risk our happiness with her and . . .”

  “I just want to know how she found out about my . . .”

  Logan stroked her cheek. “That’s another reason I got the package I got from the hospital. Kamrie and one of her nurse friends accessed your medical records without authorization. Even though you didn’t have your surgery at RM, you were still in the hospital’s system.”

  “I ought to sue the . . . You took the money and I can’t sue now, right?”

  “That’s up to you. I can’t sue them, but they weren’t my records.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll file a complaint with the medical board.” Robin glanced at her watch. “If Liam doesn’t hurry up, we’re going to be late for court.”

  Robin’s desk phone buzzed. “Mr. Jones is here,” her assistant said.

  “Thank you. Please send him in.”

  Logan and Robin broke their embrace as the door to her office opened. “Hey, hey,” Liam said as he handed Robin a file folder. “Ready to take this woman down?”

  “Let’s hope it happens that way,” she said as she skimmed through Liam’s reports.

  * * *

  Kamrie sat on the bench outside of the courtroom and smiled at her son over the video call app on her phone. The little boy cooed and reached for the babysitter’s arm. “Jean, are you being a good boy? Mommy loves you,” she said softly.

  The little boy pointed at the screen and smiled. Kamrie returned his sweet smile, then blew him a kiss. “I love you, little boy,” she said. “Everything I’m doing is for you. Shannon, I’m going into court soon and I’ll pick Jean up when we’re done.”

  “Okay. I can keep him until three but then I have to go to work,” Shannon said.

  Kamrie nodded and ended the call. She took a deep breath and tossed her head back. Today was going to ruin everything she’d been working for. She wanted to give her son the life she never had. Wanted to make sure he didn’t have to struggle as she had growing up. What if she hadn’t bought the dreams that being a doctor’s wife would change her life? Things may have been different. But she envied those women. She’d watched those wives at holiday parties, dripping in diamonds, wearing the top fashions, and doing nothing. Always talking about their volunteer work and lives of leisure. She deserved that lifestyle. How many years had she and her mother suffered and struggled? There was no way that she was going to make her son suffer the way she had because a man left her holding the baby bag. Granted, Logan wasn’t the man responsible for her pain, but he shouldn’t have given her the mixed signals. No one is that nice.

  Those smiles, words of encouragement. He was everything that Thomas was in the early days. But Thomas was too much of a henpecked husband to leave his wife and follow his heart. Why would he say he loved her and then let that bitch run her out of town?

  Kamrie wasn’t going to be her mother. Maybe that’s why she went after Logan. But this court case was going to ruin everything. And Dr. Carter’s arrest had her looking like a fool at work. She couldn’t name Logan as the man who had sexually harassed her now because of his resignation and the fact that the court was probably going to order a DNA test. But that new DNA test would expose the truth and ruin everything.

  “Too bad you’re not here to go to prison,” a voice said from behind her.

  Kamrie turned around and saw Valerie Adams standing there. “What are you doing here?” She stood up to face the woman who’d ruined her life in Atlanta. The city she’d loved.

  Valerie glared at her and folded her arms across her chest. “I knew you were a fool but I didn’t take you for a damned idiot. You and I know that my husband is the father of your child.”

  “And you told me that he’d never be a part of Jean’s life.”

  “Those are still facts. But for you to try and ruin a man like Dr. Baptiste with a bunch of lies? What do you think is going to happen when you walk into that courtroom and real tests are done? Do you know how lucky you are to still have a medical license?”

  “My son isn’t going to suffer because you are banning his father from seeing him and taking care of his responsibilities.”

  “Did you sic that private investigator on us? Are you trying to embarrass me and my family? What’s your endgame? Thomas isn’t going to leave me. If you want a quiet settlement, I’d be open to it. But my husband is not . . .”

  “Valerie,” Thomas said as he rushed toward them. “Stop it.”

  “What are you doing here?” Valerie demanded. “I told you I was going to handle this.”

  “There is nothing for either of you to handle,” Kamrie snapped. “You are Jean’s father and you let her keep you from our child.” Angry tears fell down her cheeks.

  “Then why did you say this other man was his father? What did you want me to do?” Thomas asked.

  “Be a man, you son of a bitch!”

  Valerie closed her eyes and shook her head. “Can we go somewhere private and talk about this?”

  “What am I supposed to do about this court case?” Kamrie asked. “I can’t just not show up.”

  “And I can’t have my husband’s misdeeds going public. You need to call Dr. Baptiste’s lawyer and tell them you are not contesting their case and you want to withdraw whatever lies you’ve told.”

  Kamrie narrowed her eyes at Valerie. “And what do I get if I do that?”

  “Kamrie,” Thomas said. “I’m willing to be there for our son, but I can’t do it publicly.”

  “But,” Valerie interjected, “we’re going to pay for the child’s needs as well as your silence. Just not in Atlanta.”

  “Then how will my son have a relationship with his father?” Kamrie asked.

  Valerie shot Thomas a glaring look. “I don’t mind Thomas spending time with his son. We can easily tell people that the little boy is his nephew.”

  “I’m not going to lie to my son—”

  “What are you doing now, bitch?” Valerie snapped.

  Kamrie stopped herself from lunging at her and scratching her eyes out. But being that there were deputies and other security guards around, she knew it wasn’t the time or the place.

  “Kamrie, I’m not leaving my wife, but I want to see my son grow up.”

  “And what happens when she tells you that you can’t?” Tears welled up in her eyes and her knees went weak. Thomas rushed to her side and grabbed her before she hit the floor. The look he gave her told Kamrie that things weren’t over with them. Maybe she should take their offer and call Logan and his wife.

  Valerie didn’t say a word as she saw the electricity between her husband and his mis
tress.

  * * *

  Robin sat quietly as Logan drove to the courthouse. Her mind was full of cases where men had been held responsible for kids who didn’t belong to them. What if the judge did the same thing to Logan? Should they ask for shared custody of the little boy despite what Liam’s investigation discovered?

  She was sure Kamrie was going to fight them on everything. Why wouldn’t she? She had been spreading these lies for months. She had no reason to stop today.

  “You okay over there?” Logan asked.

  “Nope, I’m not okay. I won’t be okay until this is over and this woman is out of our—” Robin’s phone rang and she dug it out of her purse. “Robin Baptiste.”

  “Mrs. Baptiste, this is Kamrie.”

  “What do you want?”

  The woman sighed into the phone. “I’m calling to tell you that I’m not going to contest the paternity hearing. Logan isn’t Jean’s father and I don’t want to drag this out.”

  “What?”

  “I made a mistake. And I don’t want this to go public or have my son suffer.”

  “What kind of game are you playing?” Robin snapped.

  “I’m not playing a game. Not anymore,” she said, her voice low. “I’m sorry for what I did to you and Logan.”

  “Sorry? You think that’s enough?”

  “What more do you want from me?” Kamrie snorted. “I’m giving you a gift. Stop being a bitch and accept it.”

  “You . . . I don’t know what you expect me to say. But I got your bitch. You need to watch how you speak to me.”

  Logan shot her a quick look as he pulled into the parking lot of the courthouse.

  “What do we have to do to get this case dismissed?” Kamrie asked.

  “We just got here. We’ll go speak to the clerk. And I will tell you this, don’t you ever try to come after my family again. I promise you, it won’t be settled in court next time.” Robin ended the call and took a deep breath. Then she pumped her fists and banged on the dashboard.

  She screamed and stomped her feet. Logan slowed the car and turned to his wife.

  “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what was that all about?” he asked.

  Robin’s eyes gleamed with joy as a slow smile curved her lips. “That was Kamrie. She said she isn’t going to fight the case and she admitted that you aren’t her son’s father.”

  Logan grunted. “I’m willing to bet that Carter’s arrest is the root of her change of mind.”

  Robin shrugged, then opened the car door. “I don’t care what it is. I’m just glad this is finally over.”

  Logan stepped out of the car and crossed over to his wife. “This is over and we’re about to have a new beginning.” Drawing her into his arms, he gave her a sweet kiss. Robin felt at peace for the first time in months and she couldn’t have been happier.

  Epilogue

  Robin walked toward Logan on the shores of Folly Beach. Her yellow halter gown blew in the gentle breeze and she was glad that she’d opted to pin her hair up. It didn’t hurt that Logan loved that style on her either.

  She held a bouquet of yellow lilies against her chest. She knew that she was stepping closer to her future. She was about to renew her vows to the only man she’d ever loved. The man who would always hold her heart. A year ago, she would’ve never believed that she and Logan would be together. She had tried to pretend she could live without him. Had believed that her life would’ve been better without him.

  It was a good thing that she was wrong and her husband wasn’t going to let her go.

  This time she needed to make sure she stuck to the words that they were about to share. Robin was going to believe in her husband. He’d already proven to her that he had her back no matter what. That she was enough for him and everything he’d ever wanted. And Logan meant that much to her as well. She inhaled the salty sea air and smiled. The crashing waves signaled a new beginning and she was ready for it.

  Robin glanced at her sisters and their smiles warmed her heart. Seeing Nina being held by Clinton made her believe that they all deserved a happily ever after. Even Alex seemed happy as she looked at her. That was a real smile on her face. Yolanda didn’t seem as upset to have Charles with her, and Robin noticed that he was holding her hand and not in a come-with-me-if-you-want-to-live way. Something was going on there, but she was going to get to the bottom of that later.

  Robin focused her glance on Logan. She drank in his image: white linen suit, no shoes, and a huge smile. She wanted to run into his arms, but she followed the rhythm of the crashing waves. They had the rest of their lives to be together forever.

  And Logan was going to start his private practice in July. He was going to have an office in Richmond and one in Charleston. Robin was happy to know that she and her husband were going to be spending more time together and with her family. When she reached him, Logan reached his hands out to her and pulled her against his chest.

  “You’re going to smash my flowers,” she whispered.

  “That’s not all I want to smash,” he replied in a lower voice.

  The reverend cleared his throat. Clearly, they hadn’t been as quiet as they thought. “Sorry,” they said, then laughed.

  “Since you’re already married, I guess it’s all right,” he said. Robin turned to Nina and handed her the lilies. Then she and Logan joined hands.

  “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here on this day that the Lord has made to renew love. To celebrate love and to reunite Logan and Robin Baptiste in love.”

  Logan stroked Robin’s cheek and mouthed, “I love you.”

  Warm tears of joy slid down her cheeks.

  “Marriage is more than a beautiful wedding. Marriage is about the in between. The ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. It takes two people to make the decision to make a marriage work. With love, faith, and dedication, marriage is an everlasting commitment.”

  Murmurs of amen and yes rippled through the small crowd. “Now, I want everyone standing here on this beach to take a vow. We have to vow to protect and pray for this couple. We have to keep them lifted in the Lord.”

  Logan and Robin looked out at the faces of their family and friends. Robin could’ve sworn she saw Liam wipe a tear away from the corner of his eye.

  The reverend turned to Logan and Robin. “The couple has written vows that they’d like to exchange. Logan, go ahead.”

  Logan kissed Robin’s palms. “Robin Richardson Baptiste, I knew I loved you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t know how I was going to get the smartest girl at Xavier to see more than a basketball player. But you did. And you gave me something that I didn’t know I’d been yearning for. You brought me into this family. And you loved me unconditionally. I will never love anyone as much as I love you and I plan to spend my entire life showing you how much I love you.”

  Robin fought back her tears after she listened to Logan’s vows. She could barely find her voice to say her vows back to him. Logan stroked her cheek. “Take your time, baby,” he said.

  She took a cleansing breath. “You are the man of my dreams. I close my eyes and see your face. And I’ve been blessed to wake up to your face for all of these years. Half of my heart is with you. And I know that you’re going to protect my heart, because you have since the day I told you that I loved you. You’ve been there for me when I was at my lowest. You made sure I felt safe, comforted, and protected. With you by my side, I know that we can weather any storm. And we have. I look forward to the next hundred years of being your wife.”

  Logan leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

  “If you two will join hands,” the reverend said.

  Robin smiled at Logan as they held hands. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

  Logan pulled Robin into his arms and kissed her with a slow and deep passion that made the family cheer. Breaking the kiss, they looked at each other and Logan winked.

  “Are you ready?” Robin asked.

  “Let’s
do it,” he replied.

  The couple took off running into the ocean and splashed around like a couple of kids. “I love you so much,” Robin said.

  “I love you even more.”

  Don’t miss the first book in the Richardson Sisters series . . .

  OWNER OF A BROKEN HEART

  The four very different Richardson sisters have one thing in common: their fierce loyalty to their family and pride in the historic bed and breakfast they own. But unexpected desire will challenge them in ways they never imagined . . .

  Sportswriter Nina Richardson had the perfect life away from her family’s famous shadow. But a social media blowup and rejection by her boyfriend brought her back to their peaceful Charleston, South Carolina B&B to figure out what went wrong. So there’s no way she’s going to trust the crazy-hot sparks flying between her and handsome new employee Clinton Jefferson. It’s just reckless, rip-his-clothes-off, one-night-and-forget-it lust—right?

  Fresh from working for the Richardsons’ biggest rival, Clinton wants to show his modernization ideas aren’t sabotage or a gimmick. Getting involved with the rebellious Nina means trouble for sure—but he can’t resist showing this stubborn, fiery woman how she should be loved. But false accusations and Nina’s returned ex shake their passion—and fragile trust—to the core. Now between cascading obstacles and conflicting loyalties, can Clinton and Nina untangle what they really want in time?

  Available from Kensington Publishing Corp. wherever books are sold