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“I’ll do that.”
The minute she drove off, Jace pulled his phone from his back pocket to text Seamus. There was a lady here from the state department for children about an appointment you guys had…
Seamus wrote back right away. FUCK. Totally forgot. Was she pissed?
I told her what happened, and she asked you to call to reschedule.
Damn it. I can’t believe I forgot that.
You’ve had a few things on your mind. How’s Carolina?
In a lot of pain this afternoon. They’re working on trying to address that. We’re both eager to talk to the boys.
Give us a call when you’re ready. They’re looking forward to it.
She’s taking a rest now, but we’ll call when she wakes up.
Sounds good.
Jace put his phone in his back pocket and went to check on the boys, who’d disappeared into the trees with the dog.
Seamus could not believehe’d forgotten that appointment. Ugh. With Carolina sleeping after a rough day, he stepped out of her room and into the hallway to call Ms. Deavers on the cell phone number he’d programmed into his phone after their first meeting. This would’ve been the last hurdle before their legal guardianship became final. As he waited for her to pick up, he hoped they hadn’t screwed things up.
“Justine Deavers.”
“This is Seamus O’Grady. I’m so sorry we missed the appointment today. Jace told me he filled you in on what’s happened to my wife.”
“He did, and I’m so sorry to hear that. Is she doing okay?”
“She’s on the mend, but it’s going to be a long road. Could we possibly reschedule for next week? And again, I apologize. I know it’s a lot for you to come out to the island.”
“Yes, next week should be fine, but, Mr. O’Grady, I have to express my concern about the fact that you’ve left the boys with Mr. Carson.”
Seamus’s stomach went into a free fall. “What? Why?”
“Our records indicate he’s a convicted felon on parole.”
“Yes, I know.” Seamus tried to keep his voice calm when he was freaking out on the inside. “He’s also the boys’ biological father and has made a genuine effort to be part of their lives since he was released from prison.”
“But to leave him in charge of them when you’re off-island…”
“We left them with someone who loves them very much, who they’re comfortable with and who was able to drop everything to be there when we needed him. We trust him implicitly, or he never would’ve gotten near them.”
“I understand, but I’ll need to discuss this with my supervisor.”
“Discuss what?” He was no longer trying to remain calm.
“The situation.”
“Ms. Deavers, I understand you have a job to do and that your job is to protect those kids, but when I tell you Jace Carson would take a bullet for them, I mean that. He made a mistake, paid for it with years of his life and lost his wife and children. He’s a hardworking guy who’s trying to put his life back together and be there for his sons. If you make something of this, you’re going to cause more problems than you’ll fix. Trust me on that.”
“I hear what you’re saying and appreciate your point of view, but I’m required to report this development to my supervisors.”
“I’ll be on the first boat or flight home if you’re going to make an issue of it. I’ll leave my ailing wife in the hospital and go home to our boys.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. I could lose my job if I don’t report it.”
“There is nothing to report. Do you honestly think that either of us would leave them with someone we don’t trust?”
