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Jacob laughed at something Addie said and scooped her up. He bumped his forehead to hers, and then they hugged…
She’d have to tell him. And despite what her mother cautioned, Josie was pretty sure he’d hate her for disrupting their sweet life.
Was she willing to take this further? Go to court?
Cruz had put that question to her, and she had no answers. Not yet. Witnessing Addie’s complete comfort and joy today, maybe she’d have been smarter to just disappear for a while, until Jacob and Addie had moved on. Maybe God had provided her with that opportunity by selling her restaurant and having a significant bankroll for once in her life.
Now she’d signed a contract to stay.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. The sweet words from the old psalm touched her.
She needed to step back and turn this over to God. Let him guide her way.
She hadn’t prayed when she’d been offered that restaurant contract. She’d seized the chance to be near Addie like spring blooms seek sun after a long, drawn-out winter. She’d rushed, and maybe she shouldn’t have.
It’s never too late to pray, is it?
It wasn’t. She knew that. But she also knew she’d acted quickly, and that wasn’t like her. But when Addie reached out and grasped her hand as they crossed to Jacob’s SUV, the touch of her daughter’s fingers in hers made it all worthwhile.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“He said that to you?” Elbows propped on his desk, Cruz steepled his hands. “He told you his sister’s marriage was falling apart?”
“In those very words.”
Cruz noted something on a pad of paper. “Anything else?”
He looked up when Josie stayed quiet. When he spotted her tears, he pushed tissues her way. “Take your time.”
She grabbed a stash of tissues and mopped her face, then took a moment to find her voice. “It’s not a big deal, it’s just…” She paused again. “She told him I was a drug user. She said she was adopting Addie from a drug-using mother because she wanted to help the child.” Repeating the phrase brought another round of tears.
“Ginger was trying to justify her choices when questioned,” Cruz told her. “People who lie all the time get quite good at twisting the truth to suit their own ends.”
“It brought everything back.” Josie clutched the tissues tightly. “All my mistakes, and then how hard I tried to make the best decision I could for Addie.”
“And you did.”
“Well.” She stood and slung her purse over her shoulder. “I thought you should know.”
“I’ll pass it along, but from what you’ve told me and what we know about the circumstances, I’d say you’ve got a strong case for litigation. Yes, she fooled the agency, too, but it’s their job to screen thoroughly. If her brother was aware the marriage was in trouble, then maybe people should have checked deeper into their references.”
“You mean sue the agency?”
He nodded.
“I don’t want money, Cruz.” She worked the tissues in her left hand like one of those squeezable therapy balls. “I want them to be more careful, I want them to know what happened, but I don’t want money. Right now, I want the one thing I gave up a long time ago.” She breathed deep. “My little girl. But what mother can justify tearing her child’s life apart for her own desires?” She didn’t wait for Cruz to answer because there really was no answer. “Kiss Rory and those kids for me.”
“I will. And I’ll be in touch when I hear back from Cait.”
“Okay.” She walked out into the cooling, late-day air. She hadn’t planned on seeing Cruz today, but when she saw the glow of his office light through the window, she’d walked in.
Her phone signaled a text. Kimberly, wondering if she wanted to talk.
She didn’t want to talk. She barely wanted to think. She’d spent hours that day with the most precious gift of all, and instead of being grateful for that opportunity, she wanted more. Much more.
Exactly what she couldn’t have.
* * *
“Do I look nice?” Addie preened in front of the mirror nearly a week later. “Memaw likes hats, Dad. Should I wear one?” She popped a jaunty cap onto her copper hair and looked like something out of a pricey kids’ clothing magazine.
