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“Me! Why me?”
“Because if you agree to become AJ’s advocate, you will put his needs first. With your legal background, you know what questions to ask, or you know the people who know what questions to ask. And you’ll make sure all the legal i’s are dotted and t’s crossed in any agreements that are reached.”
“I hate to admit this, but you’re ahead of me, Genevieve. What questions are you talking about? What agreements?”
“For one thing, we need a DNA test. We need to confirm that this child is Drew and Emma’s half brother. We need to know more about the mother than the fact that she’s dead. Is Maggie being honest about her not having any other family? If so, we need to investigate what other options might be available. I’m thinking that a private adoption might be the perfect answer for AJ. He’s not even two years old. Childless couples across America are desperate to have a little one to love. I feel certain there’s an exceptional family out there who would welcome him into their family and love him unconditionally. I don’t doubt that we could find parents forhim who would be willing to allow Maggie to be a part of his life. Maybe Emma and Drew, too, if that’s what Willow wants.”
“Why, Genevieve Prentice. When did you think of all of this?”
“Those four stitches took a long time.”
“I was with you most of that time. We were passion planning.”
“I think we need a new name. That sounds nasty.”
“Hey, it’s your idea.”
“Not exactly, but that’s another story, and I don’t want to get distracted. Will you do it, Helen?”
“Be AJ’s family advocate? Do you know what you’re asking, Genevieve? If I agree to do this…”
“You will do it to the best of your ability. Yes, I know. You were an excellent attorney before you retired. You are outstanding when you go legal-beagle investigator mode.”
“I’ll be Team AJ all the way,” Helen warned.
“I’m counting on it. It means that tomorrow when I meet that little boy, I won’t need to feel guilty about being Team Willow. I can put my child’s needs first because my sister is on the job. She has my back. Like always.”
Helen nodded and slowed the car as they approached an intersection. “Not to change the subject, but here’s another missing stop sign.”
“Oh my stars.” Disgust laced Genevieve’s voice as she dug into her handbag for her phone. “I don’t know if I can take photos with one hand.”
“Here, I’ll pull over to the curb.”
“I’m afraid your campaign manager is getting off to a slow start,” Genevieve said as she nudged the button to roll down her window.
“Yes, that is apparent.” Helen pulled to the side of the road, then reached across the console with her foot on the brake to help Genevieve take the photograph. “At least the streetlight is working. Although, does it look like it’s flickering to you, Gen? I need to make a note of that.”
Helen was putting together a traffic-safety presentation to make to the city council next week. Because she considered their reception of her suggestions for necessary improvements to be a foregone conclusion, she expected to use the information in her campaign.
“No, the light is steady. Ouch,” Genevieve grumbled as she accidentally bumped her hand. “This hurts.”
“I can’t believe you managed to cut yourself. You’re not usually a klutz.”
“I’m not usually DEFCON ten angry.” She rolled up her window.
“Is DEFCON ten a thing?”
“I don’t know, Helen. That picture was blurry. You need to hold it steady if—”
Clink. Clink. Clink.Genevieve and Helen were startled at the rap on the driver’s side window. Genevieve leaned forward and spied the end of a metal flashlight and a uniformed figure standing outside the car. Helen muttered a curse. She pushed the button, and the window slid down. “Hello, Ralph.”
“License and insurance, please.”
Helen rolled her eyes at her sister as she reached for her purse. “Aren’t you going to ask us if we’re having any trouble, Officer? We are two little old ladies parked by the side of the road, fumbling with our phones.”
“Speak for yourself,” Genevieve muttered.
Helen handed over the requested documents. “Theyhaven’t changed since you stopped me last week, Ralph. May I inquire as to the reason why we’re being stopped?”
