Page 150 of Love Notes & Lifelines
The older man sighs. “It’s not that, Becker. Not at all in fact. However, I do feel guilty for not piecing any of this together myself. I fear I’m likely implicated in some of this as I’ve been both families’ attorney for over thirty years.”
The tiniest sliver of sympathy blooms for him, but part of me wants to shout that he should have known better than to work with Danica. Instead, I shift my focus back to the window, back to the girls. Ruby’s too young—stranger danger doesn’t appeal to her—but Emmy’s wary in her interactions.
My heart twists watching Emmy, knowing the reason—having seen with my own eyes why she’s terrified of Danica.
Mrs. Marsh and the psychologist, whose name I’ve already forgotten, turn to each other, then look toward the house. Emmy holds Ruby’s hand while Daisie keeps her nose pressed into her side. Even when the man lifts Ruby from the ground, Emmy doesn’t let go of her sister. Mrs. Marsh tries to steer her toward the stairs, but she swats the woman’s hand away and keeps hold of her sister.
It’s enough for me to open the door with a crash and barrel down the steps with open arms.
Emmy’s little shoulders sag in relief when she spots me, and the second I lift her in a hug, Ruby claws for me and the man hands her over. With them both in my arms, Emmy cries. She sobs as though the events of the last hour have broken her spirit that was just beginning to heal.
Daisie paces in a circle around us, nudging us with her nose when she can’t see Emmy’s face.
The adults stop to watch our interaction. When I catch them staring, I lift my chin. “I know that Danica has a reach far more powerful than my own, but I have something she’ll never have—I have love for these little girls that will never be bought or broken. I hope that’s enough, because it’s the only thing they need, and it’s the one thing she’ll never be able to give them.”
I feel Beck behind me before he clears his throat. “We’ve done as you asked. You’re welcome to search the house, just know we haven’t been here long enough to make it ours, but make no mistake, we will be making it ours—permanently.”
“This is simply a well-check as required by law when…claims are made. Our findings are satisfactory,” Mrs. Marsh says with absolutely no emotion.
“Satisfactory?” Beck snorts. It’s a derisive sound, and I elbow him in the gut.
“An emergency custody hearing has been brought before the courts, however?—”
“Again?” Beck growls. “How many false claims can someone make before they’re held responsible?”
“I can’t answer that, but we’ll have our findings prepared for the courts before the hearing. I suggest you make preparations to win.” Her tone sounds like it’s a warning, or a strongly worded suggestion—perhaps she knows Danica too.
If everyone knows who the devil is, why does it feel as though we’re all on opposing sides? She can’t possibly be blackmailing everyone, can she?
“I won’t accept anything else.” Beck’s words are a promise as he takes Emmy from me. She molds herself around him so tightly I’m not even sure air could get between them. “It’s okay, lovebug. I’ve got you.”
Daisie whines at my feet, and I lower my hand to her head. She’s as protective of our family as I am.
Good dog.
My gaze drifts from Beck to the people sent here to put cracks in our foundation. But never again will an outside presence tear us down. From this day forward we’re a united front, a steel barricade that will protect these girls from everything and everyone wishing them harm. And from that bond, my love twists and turns into an all-consuming living, breathing entity—not only for the girls, but for my entire family, and that starts and ends with Beck.
“Do you need anything else from us?” I ask. Ruby squeezes her thighs and bounces up and down on my hip with a fist full of my hair she’s now trying to eat. I deftly pull it free, and she flashes a gummy smile.
I hug her close but speak to the strangers still tracking my movements. “They may not be my blood, but I love them like they are. All of them. Their uncle, the girls, and everyone attached to them. I’ll lay down my life before anything hurts them again. Can Danica say the same?”
“The girls feel your love, Stella.” The psychologist speaks for the first time, conviction clear in his tone. “That was evident within five minutes. They’re lucky to have you. There will be hiccups—they’ve been through a lot, so always know you can reach out to their pediatrician or therapists if the need ever arises. But the best thing you can give them right now is your unconditional love, and you’ve done a fine job so far. These visits are generally conducted by the social worker, but I was asked to come along as a favor to an old friend.”
He winks, and there’s something familiar about him that I can’t put my finger on.
He must sense my reluctance because he quickly adds, “That’s a good thing, Stella. You’ll see. We’ll show ourselves out.”
I don’t move until they’re out of view and I’m sure they’re gone. Then I take a babbling, drooling Ruby to find the rest of our family.
I’ve been through so much in my twenty-nine years, but today I’m finally strong enough to fight, and more than that, I’m strong enough to win.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
BECK
Stella’s weddingdress hangs on the back of the door in our bedroom. She should be getting her hair and makeup done today. Instead, she’s on the floor with the girls while an army of attorneys takes over our home.
Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be mourning a wedding that started out fake, but now want more than my next breath. That’s what she’s done to me since the first moment I laid eyes on her in that purple dress—she makes me want those moments that make life worth living.
