Page 110 of Forgotten Desires

“I know,” I say, my heart breaking. “She’s okay, though?”

“As far as I know. The cop said it was a precaution to have her taken to the hospital. He said there weren’t any apparent injuries to either of them and Layla was in her car seat. I guess I can thank God for that small miracle.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. I’ll stay with her, and I should be able to take her home to our place if she’s released to me as a family member. I’ll call the lawyer about getting custody signed over temporarily in light of the drunk driving charge. We’ll do what we can. Just get home safe and don’t do anything stupid. I’m here and I will protect Layla.”

He lets out a half laugh. “I think I already did that when I married her.”

“If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have Layla.”

“Or you,” he says softly. “Grady is working on getting the flight moved up so we can leave in the next hour. I’m going to push the meeting to finish now, even though it may be a mistake.”

“Crew, take a breath, I won’t let anything happen to Layla. I promise.”

“Brynlee . . .”

“Go. Do what you have to and get back home.”

“All right. Please call me when you get there,” he begs.

“As soon as I’m with her, we’ll call. I’m going to call your sister too, see if she can come to the house. While I love Layla and I know she likes me, it might be good for her to have her auntie around. I know it’s what Olivia would want.”

He sighs. “Thank you, baby.”

“I’ll keep you updated.”

We hang up and my leg is bouncing as we make our way around the city to the hospital. I can’t believe Jacqueline would do this so close to the court case. Stupid in every possible way, but if anything happened to that little girl, I would be devastated.

As soon as Cliff stops, I’m running out of the door to head into the hospital.

I give Layla’s name, and thank God I now have her last name so they don’t question me being there.

When I get to her floor, there is a police officer outside of her door, I take a deep breath and walk over to him.

“Hello, Officer. I’m Brynlee Knight and I’m here for Layla Knight. I’m family.”

He nods and lets me pass.

When I open the door, my heart falls to the floor. Layla is lying in the bed, her eyes closed, and she’s gripping the blankets. She looks like she fell asleep terrified. I make my way to the side of the bed, placing my stuff down in the chair, and I gently push her hair back.

Her eyes open, she nearly jumps out of the bed, but I quickly try to soothe her. “It’s just me, sweetheart.”

“Rin,” she says my name with her chin wobbling. “I was so scared.”

I sit on the bed, pulling her in my arms. “Oh, honey, I’m here. Don’t be scared. I’m here.”

“I want my daddy.”

“I know, and he’ll be here as soon as he can. He’s getting on a plane and coming right here,” I promise her.

She holds on to me tight and I rub her back, hoping she has a little solace knowing I’m here.

“My mommy was crying and I’m scared.” She cries harder and I just hold her. There’s nothing else I can do, just be here and not let her be alone. Kimberly is a few hours away on a farm tour and won’t be back until tonight.

I have never been more grateful that I was here, because the idea of her being alone breaks my heart.

I pull back after she starts to settle down a little. “How about we call your daddy now so he can see you’re okay?”

“Okay.”

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