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“Jace, will you carry me back?” Tammy holds her arms out to me.
“I certainly can. You want a piggyback ride?”
Her whole face lights up with excitement at the prospect, and hearing Savannah giggle is causing my own excitement to heat my blood, which is so damn inappropriate right now.
“C’mon then.” I turn my back to Savannah, and feel the slight weight of Tammy as she wraps her arms around my neck with the bunny ears sticking in my mouth.
Savannah moves to stand in front of me, and smiles when she sees my predicament. “One minute.” After snapping a picture with her cell, she removes Tammy’s hands. “Here, baby girl. You don’t want to choke Jace, right?”
I feel her head shake against mine.
“You ready?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Savannah, lead the way.”
Instead of leading the way, Savannah steps into line with me. This feels good. So very good.
Neither of us talk as we walk the short distance to Golden Circle, but I don’t think I’ve taken more than thirty steps when I realize the bundle on my back has fallen asleep.
With Savannah’s help, I turn her around and cradle her in my arms. Tammy snuggles down and doesn’t even crack an eyelid.
“Poor thing, she must be exhausted,” Savannah soothes her with a caress along her arm.
At Golden Circle, I follow Savannah upstairs and place Tammy down in her bed before tucking the blanket around her. Stepping back, I frown when I see the other beds in the room. The room is neat and tidy, but this is the first time Tammy’s situation has been slapped in my face. I’ve only just met her, but I’ve never given thought to how the kids sleep. No privacy.
Feeling arms going around my waist, I realize Savannah has tuned in to my mood and is offering comfort.
I wrap my arms around her, and know this feels right.
“I want to get legal guardianship of her,” Savannah whispers. “Let’s go outside the room in case she wakes, and I’ll tell you.”
Savannah leads me outside the room after she switches the listening device on. Moving a bit away so our voices don’t get picked up, I pull her back into my arms because I love holding her and I feel as though she needs support right now.
“Talk to me.” I kiss her on top of her head.
“Tammy has only been here a short while, but she’s gotten under my skin from day one. She doesn’t have any parents. Her father died before she was born and her mother OD’d just before Tammy was brought here. I need to know she’s safe, Jace.” She looks at me, her eyes pleading. “She is so sweet, and has so much love to give…and so do I. I’ve talked with Karen about trying to get guardianship at first before I go for adoption. Apparently, there are so many kids in the system, guardianship is easier to get. I’m just terrified that the judge will look at me and say that I’m either too young, or that I don’t have anyone to fall back on. I know my uncle will support me and even stand with me. I guess I’m just terrified of being rejected by them because it will crush me.”
I can understand why she’d be worried because she is young to take on a huge responsibility, but women have children a lot younger than Savannah and they cope amazingly well. Savannah would make a good mama for Tammy, and little does she know that I’ll be around to help support her. It’s too soon to talk about that yet. Just the thought makes my stomach twitch with nerves, so I don’t want to scare Savannah away. I certainly don’t want her to stay with me just for the support with Tammy either, although I can’t imagine her doing that.
“You need to do what’s in your heart, and hopefully the family court will see how much you have to offer her,” I say as I hold her close.
“Jace, I’m going to have a talk with Richard tomorrow. I need to be free, so then I don’t feel guilty for wanting you as much as I do, or for spending time with you.”
I frown because I’m worried that he isn’t going to walk away from her easily. I wouldn’t. I’d fight for her, and I’m afraid he will as well.
“Don’t worry,” she rubs my brow. “Everything will turn out as it’s meant to.”
“I hear you, but you call me if you
need me, okay? I don’t want you to think that you’re alone.” I kiss her on the forehead. “I need to leave. I’ve been called in for a meeting.”
“You didn’t get any cake or juice,” she smiles. “I better make sure you take one of the cupcakes that Tammy baked so I can tell her when she wakes up.”
“Lead the way.”
Savannah takes hold of my hand and leads me into the dining room, which has been set up with the juice and snacks for the exhausted kids.
