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Robin reaches out for him in response. He offers her his finger and she holds it in her little fist. “She’s strong, too.” He feigns trying to yank his finger away. “She’s going to be a wrestler.”
“Shall we sit?” Ms. Cross asks.
“Do you want to see the baby’s nursery?” I ask. A home visit always includes a tour of the bedrooms. “We’ve got it all set up. The people of Winter Falls are incredibly generous. Within a day of Robin appearing in our lives, we had everything we needed.”
“And then some,” Elder adds.
“I’m certain it’s fine,” Ms. Cross says as she sits on the couch.
I sit in the armchair with Robin and Elder stands behind us. He places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes in support.
“Look.” Ms. Cross sighs. “I know what’s happening here.”
Elder chuckles. “A just married couple trying to cope with having a baby they didn’t expect?”
She raises her eyebrows. “A just married couple who are sleeping apart?”
Elder forces a chuckle. “I was in the doghouse last night. Have you ever told a woman to calm down?” He shudders. “I don’t recommend it.”
When Ms. Cross’s only response is to purse her lips, my pulse races and I pull Robin closer to me. “Please, don’t take her away. She’s the only family I have left.”
“The situation isn’t ideal. A young woman with no family raising a child amongst her animals.” She motions toward the dogs. Black Ops barks in return while Pup Tart and Little Bow Wow slink away as if they’d been scolded.
“Which is why I assume you got married.”
Elder clears his throat. “We got married because we love each other. Do you want to see the wedding pictures?”
He doesn’t wait for an answer before bounding away. He snatches a picture from the sideboard and hands it to Ms. Cross. “Harmony was a beautiful bride but, then again, I might be a bit prejudiced.”
Ms. Cross frowns at the picture before handing it back to Elder. “Nevertheless.”
Nevertheless? What does nevertheless mean? Does she know the marriage is a sham?
“Please don’t turn us in. I can’t lose Robin.”
Elder scowls at me. “Turn us in for what? Loving each other? I’m pretty sure loving each other is not illegal.”
Ms. Cross ignores Elder to address me. “I know your background. I assume it’s the reason you’ve gone to the lengths you’ve gone to. But you needn’t worry. I’m in your corner. I’ve spent too many days rescuing children from drug dens. I do try to prevent it when I can.”
She stands. “I’ll see myself out.”
Elder stares at the door after she exits. “What just happened?”
“I think we gained an ally.”
He stares at the door with a puzzled expression on his face for a while before shrugging. “As long as she doesn’t take our baby girl from us.”
Our baby girl? I glance up at him. How I wish Robin could beourbaby girl. But she’s not. She’s mine. She’ll never be ours.
Chapter 19
In case you come back anytime soon, I recommend staying away from the bathtub. I swear it was an accident. ~ Text from Brody to Elder
Elder
“I’m begging you. Please tell me she’s asleep,” Harmony pleads as I enter her bedroom.
“She’s asleep,” I say as I collapse on the bed. “I know. I know. I know. I shouldn’t be in the bed, but my back is fucking killing me.”
