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My emotions ping-ponged all over the place. Gratitude. Frustration. Love. Anger. Hope. Defeat.
They swirled faster until they were a contained tornado, ready to burst from me.
Where is Mrs. Shepherd? We have the paperwork. This shouldn’t take so long.
If I could see Eric get in the van with Beau and Lincoln and drive away, I’d feel some semblance of reassurance.
“I—”
I’m scared almost slipped out. But being in this position was humiliating enough. I couldn’t admit that to Lincoln, even though I’d grown more comfortable with him. I had a façade to keep up and fear wasn’t part of that. He’d already seen too much inside those exterior walls.
He waited for me to finish the sentence. I couldn’t.Wouldn’t.
But I didn’t have the energy to pretend either. For Eric, I could. Lincoln? He’d just have to deal with me as I was for the moment.
The door creaked as it opened, and all my attention zeroed in that direction. I rushed toward Mrs. Shepherd, a little off-balance with my hands behind by back.
“The paperwork is acceptable. There is documentation that you filed it as stated, though the actual legal document isn’t in the file. Eric can remain in Miss Hollingsworth’s care.”
My knees weakened in relief. A strong hand discreetly wrapped around my hip as Lincoln’s body was behind me for support.
“We’d like that in writing from your supervisor,” he said.
My brain was functioning at an erratic pace, and I was so glad he still had the capacity to think rationally.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“No, Mrs. Shepherd. Just like you required the legal documentation for Beau to care for Eric, Lexie and Beau both require written confirmation that Eric’s care has been placed legally.”
“Well, I—”
“Today. Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Shepherd,” Beau added with a slight scowl. These Hollingsworths knew how to scowl well.
Mrs. Shepherd looked angrier than I’d seen her, but she pulled out her phone again and called, asking for the confirmation to be emailed to Beau.
The relief I felt was—
“Miss Logan, I can’t stall anymore.”
Short-lived.
The officer pushed off the counter and stalked toward me.
Lincoln’s grip tightened.
“Let me talk to Eric first, please.” My heartbeat thumped so hard my chest hurt.
“You’ve had almost an hour to talk to him.” He pointed his head toward the exit. “Let’s go, or I’ll be forced to charge you with resisting arrest too.”
“No,” I cried.
Eric dropped the spoon and rushed over. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “I have to go away for a little while, but you and Beau are going to have a lot of fun together.”
My nose tingled.Don’t cry. Do not cry.
