Читать книгу Adopted Son - Linda Warren - Страница 9

FOR THE FIRST TIME since Tuck had known him, Beau seemed speechless. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” The more he thought about it, the more real the idea became. “Brady needs someone and no one in his family wants him. I’ve always planned to take in kids, so I’ll start a little earlier than I thought. Will you help me gain temporary custody pending an adoption?”

“You know I will. But think about this.”

“I’ve thought of very little else since I saw Brady chewing on a bag of dog food.” Tuck shifted in his chair. “Can you believe that? They bought food for the dogs, but not for the baby.”

Beau grimaced. “Man, that’s awful. I can see how upsetting it would be to find a baby in that situation. But this decision will change your whole life. Are you ready for that?”

Tuck nodded. “I know there’ll be some adjustments, but I really believe I’m ready.”

“Okay. I’ll start on the paperwork tomorrow and call you when I’m ready to file it.” Beau paused.

“What?” Tuck asked, sensing something else was bothering Beau.

“Be prepared for some hard questions from the judge.”

“Like what?”

“Your job for starters. What do you plan to do with Brady during the day?”

“I haven’t thought it through, but by the time the hearing rolls around I’ll have a plan. Mrs. Wiggins lives down the road from me. She’s a retired teacher and now keeps her small granddaughter. She might also be willing to watch Brady. I’ll talk to her. And there’s a small day care two blocks from my office. I’ll check it out, too. I can make this work, Beau.”

Beau played with the paper napkin on the table. “I have no doubt you can. You’re my very good friend and I love you like a brother, but I have to be honest.”

“I wish you would.”

“It’s very difficult for a single male to gain custody of a child, especially one that is not his biologically.”

“So you’re saying I don’t have a chance.”

“I’m saying it will be difficult and I want you to be aware of that. I’ll be behind you one hundred percent, though, making sure the judge knows what an incredible man you are. And what a wonderful father you’d make.”

Tuck relaxed. “Thanks, Beau.”

Beau studied him for a moment. “I don’t suppose there’s a woman in the picture whom I don’t know about.”

“No.”

“What happened to that police officer you were dating?”

Tuck shrugged. “It wasn’t serious.”

Beau lifted an eyebrow. “Is it ever?”

“Not lately.”

Beau leaned back in his chair. “I’ve never questioned your personal life or your life’s choices. That’s your business, but as your lawyer I’ll have to delve deeper. I have to be able to argue convincingly in front of a judge that you, a single male, would be the best parent for Brady Harper.”

“I understand. Ask all the questions you want.”

Beau looked straight at him. “Why do you feel that taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having children of your own? Your adoptive parents were married. I’m not clear on why they didn’t have kids of their own, though.”

“Ma had a miscarriage early in the marriage and the doctor couldn’t stop the bleeding. He ended up doing a total hysterectomy.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“She worked in an office for a while then Pa was asked by the FBI to help nail a firearms dealer from Mexico. When they captured the guy in El Paso, he had his five-year-old daughter with him. He’d kidnapped her from her mother in South Carolina. Pa said the little thing was frightened to death and he became attached to her. He talked CPS into letting him take her home to Ma where he knew she would get special care. Ma kept her for three days comforting her and letting her know she was safe. The mother was so grateful to have her daughter back. Ma said after that she knew what she wanted to do and they helped hundreds of kids over the years, including Eli and me.”

“I’ve heard the stories.” Beau leaned forward. “But I still don’t understand completely why, to you, taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having your own kids.”

“The marriage thing just hasn’t worked out for me.” Tuck twisted his empty beer bottle, knowing he had to share parts of his life for Beau to understand him. “Have you ever seen a two-year-old who’s been hit so hard that his jaw broke into four pieces and punctured his eardrum?”

Beau shook his head.

“Have you ever seen a four-year-old who’s had a pot of boiling water poured over him because he wouldn’t mind?”

Beau winced and shook his head again.

“Have you ever seen a six-month-old baby girl malnourished and with cigarette burns all over her body?”

Beau held up a hand. “Stop. You’re going somewhere with this, so please just get there.”

“Those three cases are vivid in my memory. When the grandmother in Arkansas was finally awarded full custody of the six-month-old, she didn’t even resemble the battered baby that had come to live with us. Ma rocked and sang to her and doctored her burns. Eli and I did, too. She was a laughing, happy child and we were sad to see her go. But there are so many kids like that, Beau. The violence and abuse never stops. I just would feel selfish bringing more children into the world when there are so many who need someone.”

Tuck looked at his friend. “I’ve had these goals of taking in foster children ever since I witnessed how one person can change a life. Ma and Pa did it every day. I learned everything about life from them. I feel its something I have to do. I feel it’s something I need to do.” With his thumb, he peeled the label off the beer bottle. “I like being with a woman just as much as the next guy, but I haven’t found anyone to change my mind—or anyone to share my goals. Eli says it’s a mind-set because of the circumstances of my birth, but it’s much more than that.”

Beau eyed him with a strange look on his face. “You feel very deeply about this.”

“Yes. Brady needs someone and I can be that someone.”

“You’re a better man than me. I don’t think I could give up so much.”

Tuck shrugged. “I’m different. I guess I’ve always known that.”

“And you wish your friends would stop trying to change you.”

“No. I know they care about me and I need that, too.”

“Well, Tuck, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you’re granted custody of Brady Harper.”

“Thanks, Beau. I’d appreciate that.”

“And I sincerely hope that one day you find a woman to share your incredibly selfless dream.”

Tuck grinned. “Ah, a romantic.”

“You bet,” Beau said. “I just want you to be happy.”

“Helping Brady would make me happy.”

Beau patted his shirt pocket, searching for a pen. “Do you have the caseworker’s name? I’d like to find out all I can about Brady—to make our case as strong as possible.”

Tuck handed him a pen and gave him the information. They walked out together. “I’m really happy about the baby, Beau. Give Macy my congratulations.”

“I will and thanks.” They shook hands and hugged briefly. “You’re a rare man, Jeremiah Tucker, and I’m proud you’re my friend. I’ll call as soon as I have any info.”

Tuck swallowed back emotions as he slid into his vehicle. He sat for a moment savoring that bond of friendship. Backing out, he reached for his phone and called Sergeant Scofield. He wanted to go by the trailer and look for the stuffed dog so Brady could have it when he woke up. The sergeant gave permission and Tuck went by the station for a key.

Darkness had fallen by the time Tuck arrived at Brady’s so-called home. He saw the yellow police tape that surrounded the trailer. Getting out, he noticed the dogs were gone but the vans were still parked in the yard. There was an eerie quiet about the place.

He went up the steps and unlocked the door. As he flipped a switch, a light came on. Good. The electricity hadn’t been turned off yet. A distasteful odor greeted him. It was indescribable. Death came to mind. He shook off the feeling, glancing around.

Clothes, trash, junk and broken dishes cluttered the floor. He kicked some of the mess out of the way and walked to the spot where he’d found Brady. The toy was lying in the place Brady had sat. Tuck hadn’t even noticed it before.

Picking up the stuffed dog, he saw it was filthy, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that Brady had the toy when he woke up. Tuck locked the trailer and drove to the hospital. It was late, but he went anyway.

Outside the ward, a nurse stopped him. “I’m sorry. Visiting hours are over.”

He introduced himself and explained about the stuffed animal. “His grandmother said he takes it everywhere and even sleeps with it. Brady will probably be less upset when he wakes up if he has the dog.” He showed her the toy. “It’s filthy, but I’m not too sure if it can be washed or not.”

She eyed him for a second then took the dog. “Usually all stuffed animals can be washed. We have a washer and dryer here so I’ll wash it and Brady will have it by morning.”

Tuck hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but nurses had a lot to do and she might forget.

“Don’t trust me, huh?”

Tuck looked into her honey-brown eyes and realized she was flirting with him. She was attractive, with short brown hair and a slim figure, but tonight he wasn’t interested.

“By the way, my name is Jennifer.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jennifer.” He motioned to the toy in her hand. “I just want Brady to have the dog.”

“He will, Ranger Tucker. I promise.”

“Good. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Tuck nodded and walked off wondering if he was losing it. A beautiful woman, a willing smile and he didn’t act on it. What was he looking for? He suddenly saw green eyes and an uptight expression.

Grace.

Why couldn’t he get the woman out of his head?

THE NEXT MORNING Tuck was at the hospital early. Opal was at the nurses’ station so he slipped in to see Brady. He was still lying on his stomach, but in a different direction and he had on a diaper and a gown. The dog, all clean, was tucked under his arm.

He stood there staring at this little boy whose life might become a part of his own. Suddenly he wanted that more than anything—to love him, to make sure he never went hungry and that no one ever harmed him again. He could do that. He could be Brady’s father.

“Are you the officer who brought the stuffed animal?”

Tuck turned to look at a woman sitting by the next bed, where a little girl in a pink gown slept. Machines were attached to her head and her chest. “Yes,” he replied, and introduced himself.

“I’m Barbara Wilcott and this—” she glanced at the baby “—is my daughter, Molly. That’s very nice, what you did.”

“Thank you.” Tuck walked around Brady’s bed to stare at Molly. Her head was bandaged and she had an IV in her arm. “How is your daughter?”

“They removed a tumor from her brain three days ago. She hasn’t woken up yet. We keep waiting.” Barbara brushed away a tear.

Tuck felt a lump in his throat. “How old is she?”

“Two.”

“She’s very lucky to have you.”

Barbara wiped away another tear. “And that little boy is lucky to have someone so caring looking out for him.”

Opal entered the room, preventing Tuck from responding. “I pray your little girl recovers,” he said instead, and walked over to Opal.

“How’s Brady?” he asked.

“He’s much better. They took out his IV this morning.” Opal set her purse on the floor. “He should wake up at any moment. I just spoke with the nurse and she said they’ll start the refeeding process and watch him closely. The problem with kids this age who’ve been deprived of food is they’ll binge on everything in sight. She said they’ll start with formula and work up to solids, taking it slowly.”

“Does anyone know how long he was without food?”

“We’re guessing about three to four days. The neighbor saw Nicole with Brady about four days ago, but she hasn’t seen Brady since. Nicole has been in and out, but no Brady. We think Davis cut off her drug supply and she was out looking for another fix. She found the guy who was dead in the bed in a bar. Davis came home at the wrong time, or maybe for Brady it was the right time. Just so sad.” Opal shook her head.

“Yeah. But Brady’s going to be okay, that’s the main thing.”

Opal nodded. “I got your message about the grandparents. Sad, but I see it all the time. Some can’t do enough. Others just walk away, but that’s okay. We’ll find Brady a really good home.”

“I’m thinking about adopting him.” Tuck thought this was as good a time as any to tell her.

Those tired blue eyes opened wide. “You talked your wife into taking him. That’s wonderful.”

“I’m not married.”

Opal frowned. “What?”

He knew what that frown was about. “Is there a law that says a single male can’t adopt?”

“Heaven forbid, are you from another planet?”

He tensed. “I take offense to that.”

“Take all the offense you want. I’m just being honest. I know you care for Brady and you’ve formed a connection to him. But I’ve been in this business long enough to know that a judge rarely grants custody to a single person, especially male.”

“But it’s not unheard of?”

Opal pushed her glasses up her nose. “I wish you would have told me this yesterday. I’ve already let people know we have a fourteen-month-old up for possible adoption. We’ll get responses—” she looked directly at him “—from couples. And a judge will go for a family structure first.”

“I know,” Tuck admitted. “But I have to try.”

Opal shook her head again. “You’re a rare specimen, Ranger Tucker.”

Tuck had heard that before.

Brady moaned and they turned their attention to him. He rolled over, winced as his bottom touched the bed, but he didn’t cry. He sat up and stared at Tuck and Opal.

“Why isn’t he crying?” Tuck asked under his breath.

“I have no idea,” Opal whispered back. “He should be screaming his head off.”

Brady grabbed his stuffed dog and held it close to his chest, his dark eyes watching them.

Tuck removed his hat and placed it on the nightstand. “Hi there, buddy,” he said. “Feeling better?”

Brady didn’t make a move or a sound.

Tuck held out his hands over the railing. “Want to get out of there for a minute?”

Brady leaned over and bit his fingers.

“Ouch, buddy. That’s not nice.”

“Oh, this is going to be a tough one,” Opal said. “I can see that now. Usually babies who’ve been left alone will go to anyone, but Brady’s doing just the opposite. He’s fighting back at everyone.”

A nurse came in with a sippy cup of milk and Tuck and Opal backed away to let her take care of him. She didn’t have much better luck. Brady hit and bit her, but he took the milk.

Watching Brady, Tuck could almost feel his anger and he knew Brady’s full recovery was going to take time. He’d have to learn to trust again. Tuck was patient and could help Brady—if only the court would let him.

GRACE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY—her second in a row now. It was Jeremiah’s fault. Ever since he’d touched her she’d been having all these feminine feelings distracting her from her work.

Today she went shoe shopping, her passion, on her lunch break and stopped in the lingerie department at Neiman Marcus. She looked at skimpy, silk peignoirs like the ones Caroline used to wear. She’d even bought one. When she planned to wear it, she had no idea. She just enjoyed looking at it and imagining herself wearing it.

If she was really honest with herself, she’d go so far as to admit that she imagined the look in Jeremiah’s eyes when he saw her in it. But being honest with herself made her appear needy and pathetic and…

She had to get Jeremiah out of her head. How did she do that? He was a man and she was a woman, so the logical process would be to have an open and adult conversation. Simple. She chewed on the inside of her lip. Then why did the thought make her feel as if she were being prepped for painful surgery—open heart surgery?

A tap at her door interrupted her agonizing thoughts. “Come in.”

Nina, her secretary, walked in with a notepad in her hand. “You have a partners meeting at two and Mr. Coffey wants to speak to you beforehand.” Nina, a single mother of two, was all business and Grace liked that about her. They had a good working relationship.

Grace leaned back in her chair. “Did he mention what about?”

“No. But it’s either about the day care center you’re opening on the first floor or he wants your support on something.”

Byron Coffey was her father’s age and had joined the firm soon after Steven Whitten had started it. He was the senior partner and he and Grace got along well on the surface for the sake of office morale. Byron’s wife had died years ago and Byron had asked Grace out more than once. She always found a polite way to refuse. In no way was she attracted to Byron, but to maintain a positive atmosphere in the firm she couldn’t tell him that.

Byron had attempted to pressure her on more than one occasion to further his own causes. She always got the impression that he thought of her as a glorified figurehead without any brains. That did not endear him to her. And he was vehemently against the day care for the firm’s employees, as was her father. Grace saw it as cost-effective. Too many times cases had to be postponed or rearranged because a lawyer, clerk, aide or secretary couldn’t find a sitter at the last minute. This way the babies would be nearby and parents wouldn’t have to worry.

Her father had said it wasn’t the firm’s responsibility to provide day care. Grace saw it differently and stuck to her decision. The first time she’d ever gone against her father.

Nina looked at her pad. “There’s a Lisa and Keith Templeton to see you. They said it was important. Would you rather they made an appointment and come back later or…”

“I’ll see them,” she said. “Give me five minutes.”

“You got it.”

Lisa and Keith—she hadn’t seen them in years. Grace reached for her purse and quickly checked her makeup. She and Lisa had been sorority sisters and college roommates. Lisa and Keith had fallen in love in college and were inseparable. After they’d gotten their degrees, both in finance, they’d settled down to raise a family.

Grace had had lunch with Lisa about two years ago and the family part hadn’t happened yet. After a miscarriage, Lisa had been unable to get pregnant again. Grace knew they were still trying.

The door opened and Lisa rushed in, a petite blonde with a sparkly personality. Keith, also blond, followed more slowly. Grace hurried around her desk and they embraced.

Lisa stepped back, perusing Grace’s outfit. “Anne Klein, right?”

Grace glanced down at her herringbone suit. “Yes.” If she and Lisa had anything in common, it was fashion. In college, they’d spent many afternoons shopping together.

“Ellen Tracy,” Grace responded, eyeing Lisa’s ecru linen dress, pearls and heels.

Lisa held out her foot. “And Manolo Blahnik. I bought them in New York. Aren’t they to die for?”

“Absolutely.” Grace had a pair just like them in her closet, but she wouldn’t spoil Lisa’s pleasure.

Keith cleared his throat and Lisa glanced at him. “Oh, Grace, we need your help.”

Grace couldn’t imagine what this was about, but from the expressions on their faces she knew it was serious. They took seats and she waited.

Lisa crossed her legs. “You know we’ve been trying for so long to have a baby. We’ve tried in vitro, everything, and we’ve finally accepted that we’re not going to have a child of our own.” A look of sadness crossed her face.

“I’m sorry,” Grace said, feeling her stomach tighten at Lisa’s pain. “I know how much you wanted a baby.”

“It’s all I ever think about.” Lisa smoothed her skirt over her knees.

Keith reached for his wife’s hand. “It’s okay, honey. Tell Grace why we’re here.”

“Oh.” Lisa’s blue eyes brightened immediately. “We’re going to adopt. We have been approved at several adoption agencies, but the waiting lists are so long.”

“It’ll be worth it, though,” Grace reminded her.

“Yes, but my mother knows a lady who works for CPS and there’s a little boy that might be up for adoption. He’s fourteen months old. We want to be the first ones to apply for this baby and we need your help.”

“Of course. We have a very good family law department and I’ll make sure that…”

“No, no.” Lisa shook her head. “We want you to handle it. You’re the best, Grace. I know you are. You’ll fight for us.”

“Lisa, I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, but our family lawyers are very competent.”

“Grace, please,” Keith spoke up. “We’d feel more comfortable with you.”

She looked into their concerned, hopeful eyes. Could she do what they wanted? It had been a while since she’d been in the courtroom. Adrenaline began to pump through her veins and excitement filled her. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. Maybe this was what she needed to force her out of her recent malaise. They were her friends and they needed her help.

“Okay. I’ll set things in motion.” She reached for pen and paper. “Let me get some details.”

THE NEXT MORNING Tuck got a call from Gladys Upchurch. He mentored her grandson, Micah, after his father had killed his mother. The father was in prison and Gladys had full custody of Micah, who was now twelve and going through a rough period. Micah didn’t want to go to school because the kids picked on him, calling him names.

Tuck drove to the Upchurch house and took Micah to school. It gave them a chance to talk. That’s what the boy needed—to talk to someone. They made plans to go to a University of Texas baseball game and Micah brightened up. Micah was a good kid; he just needed a guiding hand and to know that someone cared and would always be there for him.

After Micah went inside, Tuck thought it was time to have a talk with the principal to let him know about the problem. The principal said he’d do what he could, but it was hard to control some of the kids. Tuck knew that and had to accept the explanation—for now.

When he reached his office, Opal called. Wilma Harper had passed away. She and her daughter would have one funeral and be buried next to each other. So much heartache and sadness. Tuck hoped they’d found everlasting peace.

That left Brady.

Tuck spent every spare moment he had at the hospital. Brady’s wounds were healing and he wasn’t quite so aggressive, but they had a long way to go. He didn’t speak, only made grunting sounds. Wilma had said he was saying words, but the staff hadn’t seen any signs of that. Neither had Tuck. CPS wanted a complete evaluation of Brady so he was staying in the hospital a while longer.

Brady preferred being alone, playing alone. If anyone got too close, he became aggressive, biting and hitting. He could walk and he enjoyed the playroom, where he could play with the toys at his leisure. Tuck often sat and watched him. Occasionally he’d roll a ball to him and Brady would roll it back. Slowly Tuck was gaining his trust.

Beau called and said he’d filed the papers. Now they waited for a hearing date. Opal told him that they had another applicant file for custody. She didn’t offer a name and he didn’t press her. He would have to take his chances in court.

Beau called at the end of the week and wanted to meet. Tuck didn’t understand why they couldn’t talk on the phone, but he agreed to meet him at a local restaurant. Sliding into the booth, he noticed Beau’s worried expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I wanted to tell you in person. A couple has filed a petition for temporary custody pending adoption of Brady.”

A waitress arrived and they ordered coffee.

“Opal mentioned that, but she didn’t give a name.”

“Lisa and Keith Templeton,” Beau said.

The waitress brought coffee. “Thank you,” Tuck said to the waitress as she left.

“With a couple in the picture, it makes our case that much harder to win. They both have spotless backgrounds, good jobs and are respected members of the community. They don’t have other children and the woman plans to quit her job to stay at home with Brady.”

Tuck’s stomach clenched. “It sounds too good to be true.”

Beau took a sip of his coffee. “Mmm. The Templeton’s want Brady badly and they’ve hired a very good attorney to make that happen.”

“Who is it?” Tuck asked.

“Have you talked to Eli or Caroline lately?”

“No. I’ve been spending all my free time at the hospital and with the boys I mentor. Why? Do they know this attorney?”

Beau shifted nervously. “Yes. The Templeton’s attorney is Grace Whitten.”