Page 93 of Miss Fortune

After a few minutes, both men walked into the baby’s room. “How is she?” I inquired.

Caleb sighed. “After we threatened to call the fire department to break in the door, she opened it. Lucas spoke to her for a while, and it’s clear she’s in a very bad way, emotionally. But at least she’s agreed to go to a treatment facility. She’s packing some things now.”

“I’m glad she’s getting some help. But what about the baby?”

Lucas spoke. “I called the hospital to get some more information about him. He was born with a bilateral cleft palate deformity.” He handed me a packet of information on cleft palates they must’ve given Tabitha. “The palate is the biggest concern when it comes to feeding and being able to get suction.”

Lucas took the baby from my arms and laid him on the couch to check his vitals. The infant stirred slightly but went back to sleep. “Was he able to eat?”

“Yes, about three ounces. Fortunately, I found the special bottle and its instructions.”

“He’s in good shape. She had a feeding specialist come by this morning, so we know he was fed earlier today.”

“Good.”

“With the mother entering a treatment facility, the father uninvolved, and no family nearby, I have to call social services for the baby.”

I was already shaking my head. “No. I can take him. I mean until she’s better or she’s able to contact someone from her family to come care for him.”

Lucas sighed, handing the sleeping baby back to me. “Unless she consents to you watching the baby, I have no choice. It’s the law. I’m going to help her pack while you two discuss.”

The moment Lucas left the room, my gaze found Caleb’s. “She might agree to let you take care of him.”

He looked conflicted.

“Please. I don’t want him to go into foster care.” I couldn’t explain my panic as I was sure there were plenty of good foster parents. But I simply couldn’t let him go.

“All right. I’ll ask her.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t know what Caleb said to Tabitha, but a few minutes later, with her permission, we loaded up his BMW with a car seat, a bag of clothes, package of diapers and some formula. Lucas stayed upstairs with Tabitha.

After a few frustrating minutes, Caleb was able to install the car seat base in the back of his car, and I snapped in the bucket with the sleeping baby.

“Will you be able to get all this inside your apartment by yourself?” he asked, concern in his expression.

The plan was for me to take his car, together with the baby and all his things. Lucas would then drop Caleb at his own house once they got Tabitha settled. “Yeah. I don’t need all of it tonight, so I’ll just take in what I need. Are you sure she’ll be okay with me leaving with the baby now? What if she wonders where he is since you’re still here?”

“She won’t talk about the baby, and we’re trying to keep her attention on getting her to the facility. I need to get a hold of her brother.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re here for her.”

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “I’m glad we both are. I’ll call you once we’re done.”

Chapter Forty-One

Caleb

I was both emotionally and mentally exhausted by the time we got Tabitha into the private shuttle taking her to the treatment facility where she’d spend the next couple weeks. Although I could’ve had Lucas drop me off at home, I had him take me straight to Daisy’s place.

After I went upstairs and knocked on her front door, Daisy opened it for me, looking achingly beautiful, if worn out.

I stepped inside, pulling her in for a hug and kiss. “How’s the baby?”

“Sleeping, but he’ll be up again soon to eat. How did it go?”

“Tabitha went without a protest. It’s a voluntary program. If she stays with it, she could be there a couple weeks.”