“Did they leave?”
“Yeah.”
“What did they say?”
“Brooks said he’ll consider what I said and get back to us.”
“When?”
“He didn’t say, but Kendall and Dan assured me they won’t let it drag on indefinitely.”
“He holds all the cards. If he says they want her, we have to give her up to them. There won’t be anything we can do.”
“We’ll delay in court so long she’ll be in high school before they see her again. They’re well aware that we have the resources to fight them. I think, in the end, he’ll take our offer. He’s in medical school. He has no time for a child. Dan said both parents have big jobs in New York, so they don’t have time for her either.”
“They could retire. If they have big jobs, they have resources, too.”
“Not like we do.”
Jared rarely referred to his fortune, let alone used it to intimidate someone. That told her more about how upset he was than anything else ever could have. He squatted next to her and stroked Violet’s soft blonde curls as she slept in Lizzie’s arms. “I don’t want you to worry. I’m not going to let anyone take her from us.”
She wanted to believe he had the power to get the outcome they wanted, but she wouldn’t relax until she heard from Brooks himself that he wasn’t going to take her child from her.
Chapter 32
“That was brutal,” Dan said to Kendall as they walked to their cars.
“Unbearable. What do you think they thought of what Jared offered?”
“They’d be smart to consider it. Their son has no time for a child, and from what I read about them, they don’t either. They know Jared meant it when he said they’re in for a protracted court battle if they try to take her away from Jared and Lizzie.”
“It’s not like Jared to throw his money around like that.”
“I know. I thought the same thing. I’m going to head home. Let me know when you hear from them.”
“I will. Thanks again for being here. Your presence sent a big message.”
“I wish we could do more.”
“It was what we needed, so thanks for taking time away from your family, especially right now.”
“It was no problem at all. I want to get this resolved for them as soon as possible.” He glanced at the house. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through. Even more so after a few days of being a dad myself.”
“Me either. It’s horrible. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks—and thank you for covering for me so I can take some time off.”
“Happy to do it. Enjoy every moment with your little one. She’ll be talking back to you before you know what hit you.”
“I’m looking forward to all of it, even the sass, which will be world-class with Kara as her mom.” He got into his Porsche and waved to Kendall as he drove off, eager to get home to his girls.
Two hours away from home had felt endless, which had him thinking again of Jared and Lizzie and what they were dealing with. What a gut punch. He drove a little faster than he should have as he navigated the curving island roads that led to home. When he pulled into the driveway, he brought the car to a skidding stop. He jumped out and jogged to the door, pulling off his tie as he went. Bertha had left the day before, after four days with them, to get back to lobstering in Maine, and he already missed her as much as Kara did. They’d declared a draw for their bet on how long she’d stay.
“Tell me everything that’s happened since I left,” he said when he burst through the door.
“Shhh, she’s sleeping. Finally.”
“Oh, sorry.”
