Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I pat his knee reassuringly and he takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. Neither one of us could eat and we both drank too much coffee; it’s hard just sitting here and feeling helpless.
Carter nodded toward the girls’ father, Chad, when he sat down in a seat on the other side of the hallway. He’s average-looking, dressed in khakis and a dress shirt. Charlotte looks like him.
It’s all I can do to ignore him. I want to go ask him how he could ignore his own children. I’d miss the girls if they were gone for a weekend. I can’t even fathom not seeing them for years. He’s a failure as a parent and as a human.
Finally, a bailiff opens the courtroom doors and Carter’s attorney, Michelle, stands up, gesturing for us to follow.
I sit in one of the rows of benches for spectators. Carter and Michelle sit at one of the tables facing the judge’s bench and Chad sits at the other table, a man who must be his attorney beside him.
I’m trying to calm my racing heart with deep breathing when the door to the judge’s chambers opens and she walks out. Everyone stands while she walks to her seat and then she tells us to be seated.
Carter sits stiff-backed as the judge talks about reports from counselors and teachers and filings from the attorneys. She asks Carter some questions and then asks Chad some questions.
I’m shocked to learn that Chad’s wife already has three kids and is pregnant with another one. If the girls are sent to live with him, there will be seven kids in a three-bedroom home.
“We could use some of Rachel’s life insurance money to buy a bigger house,” he tells the judge.
Carter doesn’t move. His attorney told him not to show any reaction to anything, no matter how outrageous. I know it’s taking all his self-control to stay silent.
“I can’t order money locked up in trusts to be distributed to you,” the judge tells Chad. “If your attorney advised you that was an option, you were misinformed.”
Chad clears his throat. “I thought that money was for the girls to be taken care of.”
“Mr. Stanton put all the money into trusts for the children.”
Chad looks over at Carter. “Well, I’m not a millionaire like him.”
“Money aside,” the judge says, “I’ve decided the children should remain with Mr. Stanton and his wife. If Mr. Bailey wishes to come to Cleveland to visit the children, he may do so, with those details to be worked out between the parties. Mr. Bailey will also get two uninterrupted weeks of visitation every summer at his home if he wishes. I also want him to be allowed regular phone contact with the children. To have access to pictures of them and to receive communications about their grades and activities. Are you willing to do those things, Mr. Stanton?”
“Yes. Thank you, your honor.”
“All the teachers and counselors have said the girls are doing well with you. Keep doing what you’re doing. And Mr. Bailey, had you been active in the children’s lives before their mother’s death, my decision may have been different.”
The hearing ends then, with Carter hugging Michelle and Chad looking disgusted. I breathe a huge sigh of relief, smiling when Carter comes toward me, opening his arms.
“Thank God,” he says softly. “We did it.”
We hold onto each other for a solid minute, and then he pulls away and leans his forehead against mine. The excitement I felt when he kissed me on Christmas returns.
“Let’s go home,” I say softly.
“I want to take you on a date,” Carter says when we’re almost home. “Maybe Mara or Dex would be able to babysit. I can find someone else if not.”
“Mara, Dex and Harry will fight over who gets to do it. If they’re not busy, all three of them will come.”
“If you want to, so will you.”
I wrinkle my brow, confused. “So will I what?”
“Come.”
My lips part and my face warms.
“I want you so fucking bad, Suki. It’s all I can think about.”
My whole body heats in response to his words. A relationship isn’t in the cards for me, but sex? I’m not meant for the abstinent life.
“Do you mean after we go on a date--or now?” I ask.
“Both.”
I laugh at his eagerness. “We do have cause for celebration.”
The Navigator speeds up as he presses on the gas pedal. He looks over at me, hunger swirling in his dark-brown eyes.
“It’s been a while for me, so I’ll have to pace myself.”
My heart soars as he confirms he hasn’t been sleeping with women while traveling. “How long?”
“More than six months.”
“Yeah, same.”
I’m wearing my blouse with the top two buttons undone. I reach for the third one and unfasten it. Then, the fourth.
“Oh fuck.” Carter looks over at me. “Don’t make me wreck the car.”