“Listen to what?” Joey sunk down on the wooden seat beside Hannah. “I’m a great listener.”
Evangeline shook her head, but Hannah would not be silenced. “I plan on raising my child on my own and sometimes it feels a little daunting.”
Joey nodded, slowly. “I understand how you could feel that way. Parenting is a big responsibility and God did intend for a man and a woman to raise their offspring together.”
Steeling her spine, Evangeline grimaced. She wasn’t comfortable being preached to, especially by someone she had just met. And she didn’t much agree with his narrow-minded viewpoint, either. She had single-parent friends along with same-sex couple friends who were raising families, and their households seemed way more loving and cohesive than hers had been.
“I’ve offended your sister,” Joey saidbefore sipping his drink.“I’ll tread lightly.”
“Good idea.”
“It’s okay,” Hannah said. “My situation is what it is.”
“If it would make you feel better, you can confide in me, if your sister is okay with that.” Joey glanced at Evangeline.
“My boyfriend doesn’t know I’m pregnant. His mom got really sick and he used all his leave to care for her.” Hannah’s eyes glistened with tears. “I didn’t want to add any more pressure, especially since he told me he was afraid he was going to lose his job.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a federal employee.”
Joey flashed a grin at Evangeline. “Is that what everyone says in this town?”
“Pretty much,” Evangeline replied.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t talk to him about your child,” Joey said to Hannah. “Could you tell him now?”
“I’ve wanted to call him a bunch of times, but I always chicken out. The truth is, he doesn’t want to be with me.” Breaking eye contact, Hannah pursed her lips.
Evangeline’s heart ached for her sister.
“Well, I’m here now and I will help you any way I can.”
“Thank you, Joey.”
Evangeline studied her sister’s face. Her cheeks were more flushed than usual and she appeared overly eager to share her challenges with this stranger. As trusting as Hannah was, Evangeline was not. Maybe she was jaded, but her suspicious nature made her an alert agent.Yeah, the same alert agent who loses babies, genius.
Their conversation continued but Evangeline zoned out. She needed to get to the office and put some time in. The baby trafficking case had hijacked her caseload, and she had a shit-ton of catching up to do.
“Evangeline, come with us,” Hannah pleaded, plucking her from her thoughts.
“We’re going to the Museum of Natural History,” Joey said.
“Not today.”
Joey’s smile fell away. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Evangeline rose. “You guys have fun.”
After hugging her sister goodbye, she left the eatery. As she drove into the district, she wondered if Hannah was right.Maybe I’m being too hard hearted and Joey can help her work through her insecurities.
MONDAY MORNING, Evangeline flashed her badge at the security guard and made her way to the elevator bank. Once on her floor, she walked the long corridor and yanked open the glass door to her department. After entering her cubicle, she tossed her handbag on her desk and fired up her computer. She was about to grab a cup of coffee from the break room when her phone rang with a call from her boss.
“Hey, Jim.”
“Got a second?”
“Sure.”
