Page 51 of Dream Weaver

I braced myself for sisterly advice — something along the lines ofYou only live onceor some such nonsense.

But Pippa just pointed to the table. “Oh — Erin picked up the mail. There’s a letter for you.”

With that, she headed out into the night. I listened to her footsteps scuff, then fade as she walked toward the converted barn where she and Ingo lived.

“I’m ready, Mom!” Claire hollered down the stairs.

“I’ll be right there, sweetie,” I called, reaching for the letter. Something official-looking. Something from Claire’s school, maybe? Or a bill?

Law Office of Watson, Hernandez, and Gray,the printed envelope said.

I frowned. Now what? Something about our property value or water rights?

I pulled out the letter and started to read.Dear Ms. Carson…

Seconds later, the breath went out of me, and my knees shook.

Our law office represents Mr. Jay Wilson in matters pertaining to the custody and welfare of your daughter…

All the blood drained out of my cheeks.

Mr. Wilson has decided to pursue legal action seeking joint custody…

Over my dead body!I nearly shouted as I speed-read the next parts.

…petition being prepared…filed with family court…proposed custody schedule…

My hands shook. How could this be happening?

Mr. Wilson wishes to establish a parenting arrangement that ensures he can actively participate in Claire’s life and provide her with love, guidance, and support…

Support, my ass. Jay was broke. And love? Jay only loved himself. As for guidance, I wouldn’t trust him to lead a blind horse away from a ditch. The man had never shown any interest in Claire’s well-being before. Why now?

The paper wrinkled under my grip as I read the closing line.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and hope to work toward a resolution that is in Claire’s best interest.

Claire’s best interest was to have just enough contact with her biological father to understand why she was better off without him. And that, she’d already had.

Under the signature was an addendum.

Enclosure: Notice of Intent to File for Custody.

My pulse raced. Fuck. Was Jay serious?

“Are you coming?” Claire called from the top of the stairs.

I thrust the paper behind my back. She couldn’t see from there, but I was that panicked.

“Yep. Coming.”

I stuffed the letter on a high shelf and went upstairs to read a bedtime story.Goodnight Moon, with special emphasis on the bear. On the outside, I was the calm, loving mother Claire knew, rhyming lines likeRoomandballoon…Mushandhush…Kittensandmittens…

“Bear and Claire,” she giggled.

I hugged her tightly.

On the inside, I was raging — and thinking a mile a minute. Jay didn’t have the money to hire a lawyer. He didn’t have the interest either.

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