“Everyone,” Cassidy said as she cleared her throat. “I’d like you to meet Joy and her son Isaiah. They’re going to be staying with us for a while until we get some things straightened out.”
“Welcome to the ranch,” the crowd said in unison.
John Jacob came over to them. “Joy and Isaiah, it’s nice to see new faces around here.” He leaned down and extended his hand. “Isaiah, I hear you’re the man of the family. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Isaiah smiled and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We have plenty of good food, so I hope you’re ready to fill your bellies,” Teri-Lyn said as she approached and gave them each a hug. “Joy, we have to get some meat on those bones, honey. Isaiah, I’m going to get you one those big, juicy burgers you like.”
Cassidy looked up to see Channing approaching with Jake.
“Hi, Isaiah. My name’s Jake. You can eat at the kids’ table with us.”
“Thanks. My friends call me Scooter. They say Isaiah is a funny name.” The little boy stubbed his toe in the grass.
“I know what you mean. My real name’s Seth. But everyone calls me Jake. My dad’s name is Seth too.” Jake rolled his eyes and took him in the direction of the other kids.
Cassidy could see Isaiah felt immediately at ease with the introduction. She was touched when the rest of the Blake brood introduced themselves. It was a huge weight off her mind that things seemed to be going well. Once they sat down, the conversation began to flow, and Isaiah was immediately part of their inner circle. Now if only adults could adapt that fast to a new situation. She mouthed “thank you” to Channing. She continued to introduce Joy to everyone and she could tell the young woman was doing her best to keep her composure. It was hard not to be starstruck among the superstar faces floating around. One face she clearly didn’t expect to see was Riley Sloane’s.
Even though Seth and Riley’s relationship was still wrought with contention, they seemed to be coming to an agreement about their common goal of making the Tomcats a viable team. It helped that Avery rallied for Seth and the rest of the men in the family to give Riley a second chance. Wyatt was fine with it since she’d asked him to bury the hatchet with Riley too. He did it to make her happy. The only person who wasn’t so forgiving was Parker, who treated the star quarterback as if he had the plague. Speaking of, Riley and Parker were having some sort of a showdown at the buffet table. Finally, Riley relented and let her go ahead of him.
He flashed Parker a big smile. “Age before beauty.”
“It’s nice to see you have some manners. Gonna use a fork this time or eat out of a bucket like the horses?” Parker piled some baked beans onto her plate.
Riley squinted at her. “Now you listen—”
“Hey, you two,” Cassidy interrupted. “Joy, this is Parker, my sister-in-law. And this is Riley Sloane, the quarterback for the—”
“Oh, I know who he is.” Joy’s cheeks turned pink.
“It’s nice to meet you, Joy.” Riley extended his hand for a shake. He looked at her tattoo. “Nice ink.”
“Thanks. I’m a tattoo artist,” she blurted out.
“Really? I’ve been thinking about getting a new one.”
“I’m apprenticing at the Desert Rose. You should stop by some time. It’s a cool atmosphere and the tools are clean. I’m still learning, but the owner is awesome. I’m sure he’d love to tat Riley Sloane.”
“I tell you what. Why don’t I wait until you’re finished your apprenticeship and let you do it?”
Joy’s eyes widened. “Wow. You would wait?”
“Sure. Why not? It’ll give me some time to think about what I want.”
“Yeah. Thanks!”
Cassidy listened to her go on about the tattoo parlor. She definitely spoke in a different tone than when she talked about the coffeehouse. Maybe she was serious about being a tattoo artist.
“Very intricate detail,” someone said behind them. “How long did it take to do the roses?”
Joy’s jaw dropped open when she saw it was Seth.
He pushed up his sleeve. “I don’t have anything fancy like that, but I do have my lucky number.”
“I like it. It’s simple, and I totally get why you got it.”
Tyler piped up. “I have one of a race car on my backside. But my wife says I’m not allowed to show it to anyone except her, my doctor, and my mama.”
“You’re going to be a father. You have to stop pulling your pants down in public.” Michelle put her arm around his waist. “I’m Michelle and way too scared to get one. Morgan and I thought about it once, but we chickened out.”
“Me too, Michelle,” Cassidy replied. “I thought about it once in college, but I didn’t have the nerve. What about you Sam?”
“No. J.J. and I are both tattoo virgins.” Sam smiled. “But my rebel sister here has one and won’t tell anyone where it is.”
“Oh yeah?” Riley gave Parker a onceover.
“You’ll never see it.”
Teri-Lyn came over and broke up the discussion. “Hey, everybody. If you don’t eat, you can’t have any of the fabulous desserts Michelle made for us.”
Channing was busy talking to Tate and Isabelle, so Cassidy thought it was a good time to get some info out of Joy. She’d recruited Parker to find out whatever she could, but it would be nice to get the information she needed from Joy herself. She settled for a table a little farther away from the others, but they were still able to see Isaiah. He was having a great time with the rest of the kids. They were giggling while they ate, and she was sure they were in a hurry so they could get back to playing.
She and Joy sat in silence for a few moments and ate their food, a total turnaround from the gabfest with the guys about their tattoos. It had been a hectic day and a half, but she still needed to be Joy’s attorney. Cassidy moved the grilled chicken breast on her plate around with her fork. The late night coupled with her delightful romp with Channing was starting to get to her. She was tired.
“What’s on your agenda tomorrow?” Cassidy asked, hoping to break the ice.
“I have work and Isaiah has daycare. I guess I should start looking for another place. Since we’re so far away from the city, we’ll have to get up early.”
“You won’t wake us. We’re early risers, and Channing and I are both going in to work. We’ll all probably be leaving at the same time.”
“Is there any word on my car from the hunky Rusty?”
“He had to leave for a shift at his other job, but he says he can get the parts he needs and get you up and running no later than next weekend. I told him to take his time because you have use of the truck.”
The sound of a whistle meant Seth was assembling the kids to play soccer. It was more of a fun activity than a competitive game. Seth may have been a born competitor, but his main goal was for the kids to have fun and get a little exercise. He’d given the ball to Isaiah for the first kick. Isaiah did a pretty good job kicking it a few feet away.
Cassidy smiled. “He’s pretty good.”
“That’s my Scooter.” Joy smiled too and put her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. “He deserves so much more than me for a mother.”
“Joy, what are your plans for the two of you once we get this issue settled?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, it would help if you had one. A support system would be good while you figured things out. What about your family?”
“What about them?”
“There’s no one you can reach out to?”
“My family gave up on me a long time ago. The drug use and then getting pregnant with Scooter. There were too many things done and said that can’t be taken back. I’m better off on my own.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“But is Isaiah? You may not want them in your life, but it would be better if he had family. He’s a great little boy, but I can’t help but feel like he’s lonely somehow.”
“They won�
�t forgive me, and I’m not in the mood to forgive them either.”
“You never know until you try.” She was one to talk. She knew all about alienation from family. There were a number of years she’d felt alone in the world, like she didn’t have a genuine connection to her family. She’d been in a pretty isolated place when she’d received her diagnosis and treatment. It was Channing and the Blakes who had helped her see the importance of family and how having unconditional love and support could do wonders for a person. It had given her the courage to open the line of communications again with her family.
“So, I was hanging up my clothes last night and found a bunch of wigs in the closet.” Joy took a bite of potato salad.
“Oh.” Cassidy dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “I forgot they were in there. I can move them when we get back to the house.”
“Your hairstyle is nice. Why do you wear them?”
“I don’t anymore. I had cancer and had some hair loss during the treatment. I wore the wigs until I had enough hair for a shorter style.”
“Oh. Well your haircut really suits you. It’s fierce and chic.”
“Thanks.”
“Hi, ladies.” Teri-Lyn came over to the table, kissed Cassidy on the cheek, and sat down. “Did you get enough to eat?”
Cassidy patted her stomach. “I’m stuffed, but I definitely want some of your famous peach cobbler.”
“You better get some before Ty gets to it. Now that he’s eating for two, I can’t keep any of his favorite dishes in the house.”
“That’s our Ty.”
Teri-Lyn nodded in Isaiah’s direction. He’d just scored a goal and running around with his arms in the air in celebration. “Your son is like a ball of energy. He’s going to fit in just fine around here.”
Joy grinned as she watched her son. “He’s always been like that. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with him.”
“Joy, C.J. tells me you have Isaiah in daycare,” Teri-Lyn said. “I’d be happy to babysit him. It would save you some time in the morning. He’d be with three other kids. We keep a schedule. We do some fun stuff, but I try to sneak in some educational things too. I promise he’ll be well taken care of and you can call during the day to check up on him.”
“Yeah.” Cassidy coughed. “She’s going to keep her phone charger with her at all times.”
Joy hesitated, looking at Teri-Lyn closely. “Are you sure you’d want to do that?”
“I’d love to. It’s no trouble at all.” Teri-Lyn stood. “As a matter of fact I’ll get started on his personalized placemat after dinner.”
“Well, if it’s not too much trouble…”
Cassidy nodded. “We’ll call the daycare and officially withdraw him. The last thing we need is for them to report to child protective services that you’re not bringing him to school.”
“Thank you both,” Joy said quietly.
* * *
Channing picked up the contract sitting on his desk for the fourth time and put it back down. Today was the day Cassidy received the first round of in vitro injections, and he was a nervous wreck. He was happy that they were in the next phase of the process, but he wished it were under better circumstances. It had been three weeks since Joy and Isaiah moved in, and there hadn’t been a moment’s peace at the house. He’d felt like a brat about it, but he missed their quiet existence. Instead there were televisions blaring, toys everywhere, and Joy talked incessantly on the phone to her friends. But he reminded himself that it was temporary. Once Cassidy helped her with her dilemma, the house would be back to normal again and they could focus all of their energy on getting pregnant.
While he fantasized about Cassie getting pregnant, Tyler was living the dream with a happily knocked up Michelle. She’d started to get that baby bump and mother-to-be glow. Tyler did another guest spot segment on her cooking show and they were up their usual antics, but Channing could see how happy they were while trying to bake a three-layer cake together. They were talking about moving to the ranch full time, which meant changes for the both of them. Tyler was still contemplating quitting racing and permanently taking up the office job. Channing couldn’t help but feel both happy for Tyler and Michelle and the slightest bit envious. Was it wrong to hope that he and Cassidy would be in the same good place soon?
Channing picked up the document yet again, then put it down yet again. He needed to get some fresh air. He walked the corridor until he saw J.J.’s office door ajar. He was inside talking to Bo.
He knocked on the door. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, come on in,” J.J. said. “Bo was just telling me about the adventures of the eighth floor. The grownups try their best to keep an eye on the young ones down the hall.”
He laughed. They’d all conceded that Avery, Wyatt, and Parker were adults that could lead their own lives, but they still worried and watched. “How is that situation working out?”
“As expected.” Bo sighed. “Avery and Wyatt spend all their time together. I don’t know who’s sleeping where, but I had the keep it covered at all times talk with him again. But I think looking after the rest of the kids has dispelled any romanticism about having babies for them.”
“Thank goodness.” J.J. laced his hands behind his head.
“Parker, on the other hand, seems like she’d rather spend her time decorating than dating when she’s home.” He shrugged. “She has a few cases that are keeping her busy until she decides on her next career move.”
“I know I’m going to sound like a jerk for saying this,” J.J. added, “but I’m happy she’s not a cop anymore. She was taking too many unnecessary risks. The attitude didn’t do her any favors either.”
“It’s a Carson family trait.” Channing scratched at his beard. “I read Deke’s biography. I can see where that full-throttle badass attitude comes from with those women. They inherited it honestly. And let’s face it, if Sam and Parker were men, we’d be high-fiving them for being so tough and buying them beers.”
J.J.’s jaw clenched. “Samantha Jane has reminded me of the double standard plenty of times. But I’d rather argue about being mildly sexist at the dinner table than talking to a headstone.”
“Parker’s doing the P.I. thing,” Bo replied. “Isn’t there still an element of danger?”
“It depends on the case. Most of the things she does are observe and report, like she’s doing for Cassie. She’s been tailing Joy for the last week.”
That was news to Channing, but he was glad Cassidy was being careful. “Did she find anything out?”
“She said she had a few leads. Has Cassie been able to get her to open up?” J.J. asked.
“Joy’s been really tight-lipped about her past.”
“Well, if there’s anything to sniff out, Parker will do it.” J.J. looked him over. “How’s the baby project?”
“We have an appointment this afternoon.” He grinned.
Anna Beth knocked on the door, then entered J.J.’s office. “I’m meeting with the planning team for the upcoming Blake Construction Convention this afternoon. We still haven’t decided on the city.”
“That’s my cue to leave,” Channing said. “You two are going to argue about this all afternoon, and I have a doctor’s appointment to keep.” Channing headed out the door and back to his office to gather his things so he could go collect Cassidy. She’d called him earlier and said she had some work-related errands to run. She should have been back by now. There was no way she’d miss this appointment.
* * *
Cassidy walked down the concrete walkway toward her car as fast as her high heels would let her go. She was running late and had to be back in the office in a half hour so she and Channing could make the doctor’s appointment. She’d wanted to be ready for the first client of the next day, who was expected in the office at nine. The case involved a vast division of property and expensive toys, but the real bone of contention was the prized thoroughbred show dog each of them said they could never part with. She knew it was jus
t another sign that the couple wasn’t ready to let go, but she also knew she’d be laughed out of the conference room if she said that. The hardest part of her job was sitting back and watching people make decisions she knew they would regret in the long run. Like Joy getting Isaiah taken away from her once. Despite how tough Joy was, Cassidy could tell that it weighed heavily on the young woman.
She glanced at the time on her cell phone again. Now that there was more activity in the house in the mornings, she and Channing were arriving closer to nine than the early morning eight o’clock. There was something to be said about having an office suite in your in-law’s business building. It may have sounded corny, but they liked to talk for a few minutes before the day began or he’d help her out with something around the office.
This morning she’d distracted herself fairly well to avoid dwelling on the looming doctor’s appointment. This was the next step in their attempt to conceive a child naturally and she so wanted it to work. In fact, part of her wanted to dedicate all her focus and energy on conceiving with Channing, but unfortunately work wouldn’t wait. In addition to making progress on her other cases, she’d managed to make some headway with Joy’s case, but things were still in a delicate stage. She’d wanted to double check that the daycare had the official withdrawal on file, so she’d personally come with a copy of the letter to make sure they had it. The director was in an important meeting, but the assistant assured her she’d give the director the letter. If she had to, she’d come out again and look the director in the eye and hand her the letter directly.
She was just about to get into the car when someone came out of the building and called out to her. “Excuse me. Are you Cassidy Blake? Joy Whitaker’s attorney?”
Cassidy paused, looking the woman over. “Yes, I’m Cassidy Blake. How can I help you?”
“I’m Miriam Garth from child protective services. We’ve been playing phone tag.”
Leap of Faith (The Blake Boys Book 17) Page 11