“I’m Knox Bradford. What can I do for you?”
“Um, yes.” She straightens, clearing her throat and giving Edward another glance. “I’m executing an order from Judge Perkins of the district court in the State of Arkansas. You’re holding a child who belongs to the family of her deceased mother. You have no paternal rights to this child, and therefore, she must be released to the care of her nearest biological relative, Miss Jada Allen.”
“She didn’t!” Melody hisses from behind me.
My stomach drops so fast, it pulls at the base of my neck. “She’s taking her away from me?”
Cricket wiggles on my waist like she wants to get down again, but my instinct is to hold her tighter. That drive of protectiveness is back, and the thought of losing her feels like my guts are being snatched out through my windpipe.
“This is the judge’s order.” The woman slaps another folded envelope of papers in my hand, and it’s so much like the way it happened when they gave her to me.
Now they’re trying to do the same thing to take her away.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t do that.” My voice rises slowly. “You guys brought her to me and said she was mine. You can’t just choose on a whim, after all we’ve been through, this late in the game, to take it all back. She’s not a puppy. She deserves better than that.”
Melody grips my forearm, and I realize I’ve risen to my full height, shoulders bowed, eyes flashing. I probably look like a raging grizzly bear. I definitely feel like one.
The woman’s eyes flicker, but she doesn’t back down. “I’msorry, sir. I’m not a part of the decision-making process. I’m only here to facilitate the transition.”
“Where are you taking her?” Edward’s voice is too calm for the emotions churning my guts.
“Nobody’s taking her.” I’m still speaking loudly, and Cricket starts to fuss.
“I’m taking her to Miss Allen, who is staying at a hotel in Metairie.” The woman turns quickly to Edward. “I have two police officers downstairs, but I’d rather not use them in situations like this.”
The woman steps forward lifting her hands, and I turn away with my daughter, moving her out of the woman’s reach. “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t do that.”
Melody steps between the woman and me, hands on her hips in defiance.
“Mr. Bradford, this doesn’t have to be an unpleasant exchange,” the woman continues. “Please let’s do this the easy way.”
“You think this is easy?” I snap.
Cricket finally catches on that something is wrong, and she puts her little head on my shoulder and starts to whine. Melody blinks round eyes up at me, and I see the panic in her expression.
“Are we able to communicate with Miss Allen?” Edward is still managing to sound calm.
I’m about to shove this woman onto her butt and run down three flights of stairs to my Rover then drive all the way to Newhope at 100 mph.
Try getting a baby from me when I’m surrounded by Bradfords.
“Miss Allen will be able to reach out to you if she doesn’t feel threatened.” She gives me a sharp glare as she says the words.
I’m about to threaten somebody.
Edward turns to me, putting his hand on my arm. “Give Cricket to me.”
“No, Edward.” My jaw is clenched.
Melody steps closer to my side, holding my arm. Cricket’s cheek is against my shoulder, and she’s making little humming sounds.
“Listen to me, Knox.” Edward’s eyes hold mine. “If she comes back with the police, it will be a traumatic event. If we give her to this woman now, we can get help and get her back sooner.”
“I’m calling her bluff.” I stand straighter, glaring down at her. “I don’t believe you have police downstairs. Call them.”
She shakes her head slowly, lifting her phone and tapping on the screen. I’m facing her breathing hard. Melody holds my arm, and Cricket puts her fingers in her mouth.
It’s like some kind of Texas hold ‘em, we’re all facing off, until the elevator dings, and two big guys in dark uniforms step into the hall. They have stripes on their sleeves and guns on their hips, but the minute they see me, they break into smiles.
