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“I think we both agree that it would be nice for Roman to know his father’s side of the family.”
“Correct.” Lizzie wasn’t going to argue with that.
“So, if it is simply a matter of money—”
“Hold up,” Lizzie interrupted. “When did money come into this?”
“It’s obvious that you aren’t doing too well, financially,” Miranda said. “I mean you have two jobs, one of which must be quite demeaning seeing as I understand you are working toward an accounting degree.”
“What’s demeaning about being a waitress?” Lizzie asked mildly. “I get great tips, I love my boss and my commute.”
“You said that you couldn’t afford to let Roman travel to meet me. What if you had the money to accompany him?”
“As in, we’d both come and meet you in San Francisco?”
“No, that you would travel together, and then you would do whatever you wanted to do in the city while I spent some time with my grandson.” Miranda looked at her expectantly.
“You’d pay for that?” Lizzie asked just to make sure she was hearing right and tried to be fair.
“Yes.”
“I can see that being a possibility in the future after Roman has gotten to know you sufficiently well, but any meetings between you would need to start here in Morgantown where he feels secure.”
Miranda opened her purse and got out her checkbook. “How much would it take to change your mind on that?”
“It’s not about money, Miranda. It’s about Roman,” Lizzie said patiently. “He needs to feel safe, and introducing a whole new set of people into his life needs to be done carefully.”
“Two thousand dollars a month?” Miranda uncapped her pen. “Until he’s old enough to come by himself?”
“No.” Lizzie cast a frustrated glance over at Henry who’d been listening quietly to their exchange. “Can you please explain to her that I don’t want her money?”
“Lizzie’s got a point, Mrs. Smith. Money can’t buy love. If you truly wish to have a relationship with your grandchild, listen to his mother who knows him best.”
“She’s just saying that to make it difficult for me to see him,” Miranda objected. “She’s just using the child to get back at me.”
“I’m offering you the opportunity to meet your grandchild in a secure setting in his own home,” Lizzie replied. “That’s it.”
Miranda put away her checkbook and pen and spoke directly to Henry. “If this is the way she wants to behave, I suppose we will have to go to court after all.”
Lizzie also looked at Henry. “If she thinks she can bribe me to give up my son then perhaps she’s right.” She stood up. “I have to get back to work. Thank you for your time, Henry, and keep in touch.”
She walked back to work, dodging the packs of tourists, and skipping across the street between two heavy trucks. Why couldn’t Miranda see that money wasn’t the issue? Was she so used to getting her own way by throwing cash at something that the notion someone didn’t want it was too much of a shock for her to accept?
Lizzie shook her head as she pushed open the door into the café, releasing the aroma of roasting coffee. Someone had her priorities all wrong, and for once she didn’t think it was her.
* * *
“Henry says it will take ages to hear anything from the court,” Lizzie relayed the information to Adam as he drove her toward his home after their visit to the Cortez ranch later that same day. “He also said Miranda and I can keep trying to talk things out before the courts get involved.”
“Makes sense.” Adam had his attention on the road. “Do you think she’s willing to hear what you have to say?”
“Not if she thinks I can be bought.” Lizzie sighed. “But I really don’t want her sharing all that information from CPS and her private investigator, and dragging you into it.”
“No need to drag me. I’m already in. I’ll do anything it takes to make sure you and Roman are safe and protected.”
Lizzie glanced over at his stern profile. There was no one else she’d rather have at her back than Adam Miller.
