Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“They’ll be in to take her for some more pictures in a bit. Hopefully, she’ll sleep through most of it.” Then he left us alone.
I moved to Lily’s bedside opposite Cash, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “We’re going to figure this out,” I promised her quietly. “No more guessing. No more being ignored.”
Cash’s hand remained wrapped around Lily’s smaller one, his presence a silent pledge we wouldn’t face whatever came next alone.
The door opened to reveal a woman in her sixties wearing a tailored charcoal suit, her silver hair styled in a neat bob. She carried a leather portfolio and surveyed the room, her sharp blue eyes missing nothing.
“Ms. Jans,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of decades on the bench. “I’m Judge Evelyn Whitmore.”
I stood quickly, smoothing my rumpled shirt in a useless attempt to look more put together. “Yes, Your Honor. Thank you for coming.”
She nodded once, her gaze moving to Lily’s sleeping form and softening momentarily before returning to its professional composure. “Ms. Thompson briefed me on the situation. I’ve reviewed the preliminary removal order and the circumstances of what happened tonight.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. This woman held our future in her hands. I’d learned long ago hope was a luxury rarely afforded to women like me, but I couldn’t stop it from fluttering weakly in my chest.
“The circumstances of the child’s injury while in state custody are concerning enough to warrant immediate review,” Judge Whitmore stated, opening her portfolio and extracting a set of documents. “I’ve signed an order restoring full custody to you pending further investigation and medical evaluation.”
“You’re giving her back to me?”
Judge Whitmore’s expression remained unchanged, but something in her eyes suggested she understood my disbelief. “Ms. Jans, removing a child from their parent is an extreme measure that should only happen when there is clear evidence of danger. While I understand Ms. Winters’ concern, the fact remains Miss Lily was harmed in the state’s care. I personally believe things shouldn’t have escalated this far, but there are no do-overs. Also, I believe Ms. Winters will be more accommodating.
“If you cooperate fully with the medical testing Ms. Thompson is scheduling, I believe this will all be resolved. If there’s a medical explanation for your daughter’s condition, and it sounds highly possible there is, we need to find it. For both of you.”
She extended the custody papers again, and this time I managed to reach for them. My hands trembled so badly the papers rustled as I took them, clutching them to my chest as if they might disappear if I loosened my grip.
“I will,” I promised. “I’ve been trying to get someone to order these tests for a while.”
She nodded, her expression softening slightly. “I know. The system failed you both in this case. Now,” she added, her tone firming again, “Ms. Thompson will coordinate with my office once the results are back.”
Cash moved to stand slightly behind my shoulder, his solid presence radiating a protective warmth I felt without him touching me. Judge Whitmore’s gaze moved to him, taking in his tattooed skin, the motorcycle club cut, the intensity of his stance, but her expression revealed nothing of what she thought.
“You’re fortunate to have advocates, Ms. Jans,” she said finally. “Many people in your situation face these battles alone.” She nodded at Cash. “This one belongs with Kiss of Death?” She raised an eyebrow at Cash.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cash murmured softly.
“I can’t speak for individual members, Ms. Jans, but I can tell you the club as a whole is a good bunch. They’re the reason Ms. Thompson and I try to refer the women who need the most help to New Beginnings. The guys aren’t pushy but they will protect you while you’re in their territory. And they will give you some room to breathe. Let their women help you care for Miss Lily.” She gave me a gentle smile.
I couldn’t lie to myself and say it didn’t make me feel better a judge was OK with Cash and his club. Which shamed me because Cash had been the one thing holding me and Lily together, however unintentionally, with his unwavering presence.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” I managed, my voice steadier than I expected. “I expect I’ll be relying on them more than I probably should.”
Judge Whitmore smiled. “With that bunch, it’s not possible to rely on them too much. It’s what they live for.”
As she walked away, her heels clicking purposefully against the linoleum floor, Ms. Winters gathered her things from the nurses’ station. Our eyes met briefly across the distance. The anger in her gaze hadn’t diminished, but beneath it I recognized the frustrated conviction of someone who truly believed they were protecting a child. In another situation, with another mother who actually hurt her child, I might have appreciated her determination. Tonight, I felt relief she had been overruled.