Page 1 of Once Upon a Summer Night

Chapter One

Hannah Brooks cruisedeastbound on US 30 the first Friday in June, brimming with excitement. It’d been two years since she’d taken any time off from work to relax and nearly a year since she’d had a legit girls’ night out. But this weekend she would refill her soul with some much-needed laughter, shopping, and winery visits. Who knew? Maybe she’d even meet the man of her dreams while they were out with the other night owls. And if that wasn’t reason enough to be in high spirits, the new position she’d been advocating for at work for nearly a year was finally happening. She was so close to having it now, she could practically taste it.

“Do I have to stay with them?”

Her gaze shifted to the shaggy-haired seven-year-old in her rearview mirror. “I thought you were looking forward to spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.”

“But I don’t know them very well,” Noah said. “Can’t you stay, too?”

Guilt pricked her heart. But this was for the best, for both of them. She needed the single-mom recharge, and he needed to bond with the grandparents that had just entered his life.

“They want to spend some quality time with just you, buddy. Besides, I’ll be back tomorrow night to pick you up and then we’ll have the rest of the week together to do whatever you want.”

His little shoulders fell. “Okay.”

“You’re going to have an awesome time, Noah, I promise. Why, you’ll probably be spoiled rotten by the time I see you tomorrow.”

“Do you think they’ll have ice cream?”

“I told them to stock up because you’re an ice creammonster.” She reached back to tickle his closest leg, which sent him into a fit of giggles. Oh, how that sound made her heart soar. “You getting hungry yet? I see signs for a Wendy’s up ahead.”

“Yes, please. And I gotta go.”

No shocker there. Seven or not, this kid had come with a chipmunk-sized bladder. No matter, the stop would let her reach out to Stan and Cindy Wiggman and let them know she and Noah were only about forty minutes away.

Hannah exited the highway and navigated her Jeep to their lunch destination. As Noah sprinted for the restroom, she pulled out her phone to send Stan a text. He’d been designated the point of contact when they first connected this spring, since Cindy didn’t carry her phone much. That’d been a relief to Hannah; Cindy seemed nice enough, but there was something in her tone that always left Hannah feeling a little…judged. Could be nothing, but she didn’t complain when Stan suggested she send her texts to him.

Oh, shoot, she’d missed a text from him an hour ago.

Really appreciate you remaining committed to our weekend visit. I can imagine that notice from the court was a bit of a surprise, but we feel it’s best for everyone.

Notice? What notice?

On a frown, Hannah dug into her purse and withdrew the stack of mail she’d grabbed from their mailbox on the way out. Getting the mail and paying the bills had always been Beth’s job. Though it’d been six months since her dear friend from high school—and Noah’s mother—had passed, Hannah was still struggling to incorporate mailbox duty into her new daily routine. As it was, she was lucky to empty that dumb box once a week.

She started flipping through the stack.

Bill.

Flier suggesting she switch internet providers.

Bill.

More fliers.

Large manilla envelope, folded to fit in the box. Her hands went clammy at the return address: Circuit Court of Kankakee County, Family Services Division.

“Did you order yet?”

Hannah looked up to find Noah had returned. “Uh, no, I was waiting on you. Did you wash your hands?”

He dropped his head and made an about-face for the restroom, giving Hannah time to tear open the envelope. Maybe it was an update on her filing to move from being Noah’s legal guardian to his adoptive mother. It was possible the whole thing had gone through faster than expected, wasn’t it?

The first page proved both notions wrong.

Hannah sank into the closest booth, trying to process it all. The Wiggmans had filed to block her adoption request, citing an intention to adopt their grandson themselves. Stan and Cindy were trying to take Noah from her. But she was the only remaining person in this world that had been a part of his life since day one! The one who knew his favorite cartoons, his favorite things to do at the park. Knew which words he struggled to spell and which types of math problems he excelled at. Knew which bedtime stories to read and which were still off limits.

All the things Beth’s baby daddy should have known but never wanted to. Never wanted to accept responsibility for, either. Andnowhis parents suddenly wanted to step in and try to take Noah away?

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