She retrieved a sheaf out of her oversized white leather purse. “I have them right here, ready for you to sign.”
“Not until my lawyer reads them.”
“I’m surrendering my rights to your property.
“And to my son?”
“No.” She lifted her chin. “He’smyson, too. I want to see him regularly. It’s in the papers.”
* * *
“She smells the same,” Seth said, looking out the window of their living room.
“What, honey?”
He turned around. “When I hugged her, I remembered what she smelled like.”
Oh, dear. Scarlet knew nothing about how to handle this situation.
Go on your instinct.
“Come sit with me.” She patted the cushion next to her on the couch.
Reluctantly, Seth left his post. He dropped down beside Scarlet. “Seth, do you want to see your mother?”
“Yeah. I guess. I miss her, Scarlet.”
“Then you have to talk to your dad about that.”
“Can I go back to the barn now?”
“Let me call him.” She’d taken out her phone when the front door opened. Joe stood in the doorway. With Evangelina by his side.
This time Seth stayed where he was. Even though he said he wanted to see her, that she recoiled from him would of course make the boy hesitate.
Joe left her side and knelt in front of Seth. “Honey, your mother wants to talk to you. Will you talk to her?”
He shrugged.
“Is that a yes?”
“Uh-huh.”
Evangelina glided to the couch and sat on the other side of Seth. “Leave us alone, please.” All traces of vulnerability vanished.
“Scarlet and I will wait in the kitchen.” To Seth, he added, “We’ll be right out there if you need us, son.”
* * *
Seated at the kitchen table, Joe took Scarlet’s hands. “I had to let him talk to her.” His face was lined with worry and his dark eyes concerned.
“Yes, you did.” She cocked her head. “What do you think she wants?”
“She said she wants a relationship with Seth. Which is crazy. As I told you, she left the boy’s care to me since he was born.”
“For seven years?”
“Yes. I guess I should have gone to court and ended her parental rights when she took off.”
