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So that was it. Earlier when his family was leaving, at his father’s prompting, he’d parked his car across the entrance to the property. If someone was driving a four-wheel-drive car, they could try to get around it, but it would be difficult, the ground covered with a foot of standing water on either side of the elevated driveway. Or she could hike in, but he didn’t see Ashlie hiking anywhere.

His phone beeped again and he was shocked when he saw who it was.Marco Aesthetics.

“Fuck.” He hit talk. “Hello?”

“Adam, it’s Terry Marco.”

“I see that.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, and I’m scared to death my baby is going to be kidnapped.”

“It won’t happen, I give you my word. She can’t even come into Cypress Cove without the possibility of her bond being revoked. It would be a lot of money to lose. I’m taking responsibility for Ashlie and I promise she won’t bother you again.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“I don’t want the bad blood, Adam. I have a business that is based on honesty and trust. I’ll do what I can to restore that between us.”

“We never had it in the first place, Terry. You need to restore that with your wife.”

Adam covered the phone to laugh. This guy was insane.

“I’m working on it. It’s too late for anything between her and the baby, am I correct?”

“Correct,” Adam said truthfully. “I’m afraid of Ashlie, and I’ll make sure the judge knows that.”

“Oh God, I’m so sorry. I hope you’ll find some peace somewhere in all this mess.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Adam replied.

The baby screeched, needing to burp.

“I’ll say good night,” Terry said. “Again, I’m sorry.”

“Good night.”

He ended the call and quickly sent Randy a text repeating what Terry said.We need to tap your phone,Randy said.

I don’t think so, he answered with an evil smiling emoji.

Oh right, your girlfriend is two thousand miles away.

His father had helped him move the baby’s big crib into the master bedroom closet, a small room that had a high round window. The thought of someone stealing into her bedroom and taking her in the night distressed them both. At least she’d be safe with him for the time being. Ashlie’s actions had petrified an entire family.

He settled down on his side, facing where Katy had slept. He grabbed her pillow and nestled it against his chest and face, sniffing the scent of her shampoo left behind. How was it possible that she’d just left that morning? So much had changed in twelve hours. He reached for his phone again and sent her a text.

Ashlie got bail and was released. Her husband called me to apologize which was weird. My dad helped me move Adelaide’s crib into the big closet so at least she’s safe in here with me. I still can’t believe what happened today. It feels like a year ago. Fingers crossed you are going to get a place at Tulane for September.

***

The next morning, Calista and her toddlers got to the hotel at the usual time of five thirty a.m. A few parents were nurses who had to be in New Orleans or Saint John’s Parish by seven and would drop their children off, half asleep and in their pj’s. It was okay with Calista. She encouraged it, allowing the little ones to have their rest and wake up refreshed.

The parents placed their children on mats or in cribs, and they’d fall right back to sleep until seven or later. The drop-off continued between six and ten in the morning. Calista and six other staff members cuddled sleepy toddlers and fed infants.

After the incident with Adam Spencer’s baby, she had an extra worry. There were already restrictive policies in place because of the state, but because of what had happened, she was sure that the state inspectors would get wind of the near tragedy and converge on the hotel. Calista had tossed and turned all night; the new policy would be that no one got into the building unless they were a parent or guardian with paperwork on file.

***

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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