“He and Channing are in the hallway. Don’t worry, he’s fine.”
“I know Red will take good care of him.”
“Remember. Look anyone who asks you a question straight in the eye and tell the truth.”
“The truth? Even if they ask about Trace?”
“Yes. It’s better that way. We’ll handle it.”
“I still don’t understand how you were able to persuade him to sign away his parental rights?”
“Someone reminded him that his fate was sealed and trying to derail his son’s future was a bad idea,” Cassidy responded.
“Thanks.”
It was no small feat, but a visit from Sam helped set Trace’s priorities straight. Her sister-in-law had a conversation with the jailed drug dealer who was in full self-righteous mode about his parental rights. She reminded him that in addition to his prison wages being garnished in the effort to start repaying Joy the back child support, Isaiah would suffer more from his antics to get Joy in trouble too. He’d balked at that, saying Joy was no better than he was. Sam reminded him that she’d fought for her son since he was born, while Trace had only turned his back on them. He didn’t want to hear it and started spouting veiled threats. When appealing to his humanity didn’t work, Sam informed him that she intended to pursue charges for his attempt to attain information about the Blake family from Joy with the intention to commit criminal acts. He denied it of course, but she asserted that there were plenty of influential people who wouldn’t take kindly to that. And to drive the point home to the belligerent drug dealer, she finished by informing him that she was a former cop and had friends within the prison system who would help make his life miserable while serving his time.
“Now don’t worry. I have a good rebuttal for anything they can bring up. The eviction was unfortunate, but you found another place to stay immediately. And to be honest, I’m glad you were kicked out of that apartment. What they can’t tear down is that you’ve been clean for a long time and Isaiah hasn’t been hurt since you got him back. You’re saving for a place to live and you have people in your life that care about you and are going to give you all the love and support you need.”
“I sure do. You and Red and the Blakes have been awesome. I’m sorry I thought you were a spoiled rich girl when we first met. I thought you took on my case to clear your conscience or something. I never imagined you were just a good person who was doing her job.” She shook her head. “I guess I don’t meet many of those.”
“We’re not the only people who love you. There are a few people outside who came all of the way from Utah to support you too.” Cassidy went over and opened the door to the conference room. Joy’s parents were on the other side.
“Joy,” Mrs. Whitaker said, tears in her eyes. “We’ve missed you so much.”
“It’s good to see you, kiddo,” her dad added.
“What are you doing here?” Joy stammered.
“Cassidy came to Utah and told us you and our grandson needed us, now more than ever.”
“I can’t believe this.” Joy turned to Cassidy. “You went to Utah and didn’t tell me?”
“I hope you’re not mad, but at the time I thought it was best. I’m here to give you the best representation possible. Part of that was meeting your family and learning more about you.”
Joy stood there for a moment silent. “I’m not mad.”
Cassidy couldn’t help but smile at the relief she felt hearing those words. It meant there was still hope, and she’d been right to keep believing in this young woman. “The hearing doesn’t start for another twenty minutes. I’ll give you all some time alone.”
She went out in the hall and had a seat with Channing and Isaiah. The little boy looked so cute in his suit.
“So how did Joy like her surprise?”
“I think she’s in shock.”
“Mom got a surprise?” Isaiah asked.
“Yes, a really nice one that I think she’s going to share with you after we’re finished here.” She rubbed the top of his head.
A clerk came into the hall and informed Cassidy they were ready to begin.
“Thank you.” She stood and grabbed her briefcase.
“Here’s a hug for good luck.” Channing embraced her.
“Thanks.” She bent down so she was eye-level with Isaiah. “This will all be over in no time and after we’ll go get some lunch.”
“Thanks, Cassie.” He wrapped his little arms around her and held on tight.
Cassidy went back into the conference room and saw the sweetest thing. Joy was in an embrace with her parents.
“Joy, they’re ready for us,” she said softly, hating to break up the touching scene.
“OK.” Joy squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
As they walked toward the room, Joy reached out and grasped Cassidy’s hand. She squeezed back. They took a seat in the courtroom and waited for the proceedings to begin.
When Ms. Garth launched into the details of the investigation, Cassidy let her speak without interruption, even though she wanted to stop the woman after her first sentence. She knew the woman was just going her job. There were too many kids who needed to get away from abusive and neglectful parents but were sometimes shuffled to even worse places in the foster care system. The system wasn’t perfect, and Cassidy knew by the way Ms. Garth had spoken curtly about Joy in the past that she simply didn’t want to see Isaiah hurt again. On that, they both agreed.
Cassidy didn’t waste any time with a full-on rebuttal of the evidence that had kicked off the investigation. The late pick-up at the day care, the eviction, and Joy’s connection with Trace didn’t put her in the greatest light. Instead she argued her point that singularly all of the things they’d listed appeared bad, but they’d happened in a fast succession to a single mother with no money and no options. When Trace was mentioned, she produced a copy of the signed document of him relinquishing his parental rights to Isaiah. She also said that Joy had been clean and had been attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings regularly, and she’d passed the lab-verified random drug tests that Cassidy had given her while Joy was living on the ranch.
By the time she sat down, she was winded and a little dizzy from talking so much. It reminded her of her debate days in law school. After a lengthy lecture to Joy about previous less-than-stellar behavior, the judge ruled in favor of dismissing the case. When they left the courtroom, Joy ran out into the hall and scooped up her son.
“We won, Scooter!”
“The case was dismissed,” Cassidy said to Channing and Joy’s parents.
“What a relief,” Joy’s mother said as she clutched her chest.
“We were talking to your husband. He said if anyone could resolve this, you could.” Mr. Whitaker said.
“He has to say those things.” She put her arm around Channing’s waist and grinned. “It’s required by law.”
“How about we go celebrate?” Channing said. “Lunch is on me.”
* * *
Lunch turned into a three-hour affair. The Whitakers couldn’t get enough of listening to tales of Isaiah on the ranch. It was pretty obvious that their love for the grandson they’d finally met was growing fast, and also clear they had missed having Joy and Isaiah in their lives. They wanted to keep the momentum going so Mr. Whitaker suggested Joy and Isaiah come to their hotel room so they could talk some more. Cassidy and Channing bid them farewell and returned to the ranch. Since the house was empty, they decided to take a bubble bath together in celebration of Joy’s situation having a good ending.
“I knew you could do it.” Channing trailed kisses her down her neck.
“Thank you for letting me turn our lives upside down. I know it’s been a rough few months, but I promise we’ll get back to our fertility plan.”
“I say we start right now.” Channing gripped her hips and lifted her onto to him.
She groaned and gripped his shoulders. “I like the way you think.”
Cassidy rocked
back and forth, matching Channing’s rhythms as water splashed about the floor. She’d missed how playful they could be together. He leaned her forward and caught her lip with his teeth, pulling her in for a full kiss. Their tongues met playfully at first, then they connected with a scorching kiss, matching their connection under the water. They continued their strides as he slipped his hand under the water and rubbed her clit with his thumb. The sensations came in waves much higher than the bubble bath currents splashing about. When she reached the point the she couldn’t stand it anymore, she gripped his hair and forced him to look at her. She loved those beautiful green eyes. They were soulful, kind and loving, all the things that had made her fall head-over-heels for him. She sank down on him again as she started to get close to the edge of losing control of her own body and let out a loud sound of pure pleasure. He matched her rhythm and climaxed with her.
She sank against him, breathing hard, loving the feel of his arms around her. This was perfect. Everything was perfect. She wanted that feeling to last forever.
* * *
Later that night, there was a light knock on their bedroom door.
“Come in,” Cassidy said as she applied moisturizer to her hands.
Joy opened the door and stuck her head inside. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I just put Scooter in his bed.”
“Not at all. Channing’s in the shower. We were just getting ready for bed.” She smiled and waved her in. “Did you enjoy dinner with your folks? Did Isaiah like them?”
“It was love at first sight. They welcomed him with open arms, and he loved the attention. My dad promised to teach him how to fish and go hiking.”
“That would be wonderful.”
“And Isaiah told them about all the things he’s learned to do since moving to the ranch.”
“He did get a crash course, but he’s a tough little boy. He learns quickly and adapts to his environment.”
“Yeah. With a mom like me, he had to.”
“He just sharpened his skills earlier than most.”
“My mom and dad were really open to listening to me. We talked for hours at the hotel. I can’t thank you enough for convincing them to take a chance on me again.” She looked away, her eyes tearing up.
“I didn’t have to persuade them to do anything. They missed their daughter.”
“And I missed them too. I missed how we were before everything went to pot and I started smoking pot.”
“Now you have a chance to get reacquainted as a grownup. Do yourself a favor and work at the relationship. You can heal and move on. I believe you are so much more than a troubled past.”
“They said they were willing to go to therapy again with me, if I wanted. I think it would be good. Trace is out of my life. I’m still clean. Maybe I’ll learn something.”
“Enlightenment is a good thing.”
“They mentioned something else. They asked me to move back to Utah with them while I get everything sorted out. They said they feel terrible for not being better grandparents to Isaiah, and we could raise him together while I get settled.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I like living on my own, but I owe it to Scooter to give him a stable, happy home. I love living here with you and Red, but you’re trying to start a family. I think you two deserve to be alone and focus on that. If Isaiah and I stay, your attention will always be on us instead of that miracle you deserve.”
“I’m a good at multi-tasking. I can try to get pregnant and care for the two of you.”
“I know you can, but I couldn’t live with myself knowing you put your needs on the back burner. You’re a great lawyer, Cassie, and an even better friend. You’re also brave and resilient. I don’t think I’d have the courage that you did to battle your cancer. I am so happy you caught it early and I hope that gave you a fighting chance to retain some viable eggs. You deserve to concentrate on getting that baby. It’s the least I can do since you helped me keep my Scooter.” Joy sniffed and hugged Cassidy tightly.
“I am so proud of you.” Cassidy hugged her back just as tightly. “You’re thinking of Isaiah and those around you before yourself. You’re getting the concept of being kind and considerate. I think being with your family is the best thing for now. But I hope you know you’ll always have a family here. I mean it. Channing and I will always be here for you. Our home is always open to you and Isaiah.”
Joy wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I hope to one day to be a strong, independent woman like you.”
Cassidy teared up herself. “You’re further on your way than you know.”
“You should really let me give you a tattoo one of these days.” Joy laughed through her tears. “I could do some really cool angel wings.”
“I don’t think so. But maybe you can convince Red one of these days.” She laughed. “I want you to keep that dream of owning your own tattoo shop. You have a great talent. The world needs more living art walking around.”
“I love you. I love Red too, but don’t tell him I said it.”
“When are you leaving for Utah?”
“I wanted to go with my parents. My dad said he’d rent a truck and we’d drive back.”
“I won’t hear of it. Your family is going back first class in one of our jets. I’m sure we can get your things on the plane or I can ship them.”
“Then that would mean we’d be out of here by Sunday.”
“Think you could convince them to leave on Monday? I’m sure the family would love to have one last meal with you before you go home. Invite your parents too.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” Cassidy hugged her again. “Go get some sleep. We have our work cut out for us if we’re going to get you ready to go in a few days.”
Cassidy closed the bedroom door when Joy exited and sagged against it. She hadn’t seen that coming. But it was good for Joy and Isaiah. She put her hand over her mouth when she started to sob.
Channing opened the bathroom door. “Cassie?”
“Joy was just here,” she gasped. “She and Isaiah are going home with her parents to live.”
Channing marched over and pulled her into a protective bear hug. “I thought that might happen.”
“I know it’s the right thing, but I’m going to miss them.” She continued to cry.
“Me too.” He caressed her back. “This is one of the drawbacks to being a damn good attorney. Solving your clients’ problems means they sometimes go away.” He kissed her softly and gently took her face between his hands to look her right in the eye. “But I’m so proud of you Cassidy Blake. And I love you more than anything else in the world.”
CHAPTER TEN
Cassidy walked onto the terrace with her cup of tea. The sun was shining brightly this morning and cast a lovely glow on the terrain. When Channing said he was getting her away to cheer her up, she’d had no idea he’d be bringing her back to Napa to visit their friend Marco Di Giovanni, the owner of the Paloma Vineyard. It was a lovely property with endless rows of vines stretching across rolling hills for miles each in direction. They’d first met the passionate vintner on their honeymoon in California and had kept in touch with him ever since. Marco was more successful with wine making than he was with marriage; he been married twice before. But that didn’t stop him from being the resident playboy in the Napa Valley.
Marco had been the perfect host from the day they arrived and tonight, despite her protests, he was hosting a small party in their honor. It was a lovely gesture, but she couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t burst out crying during the festivities. She’d been so sad since Joy and Isaiah had moved back to Utah. She missed them both. The house was a lot quieter without them, and she even missed the scattered clothes and toys. And Channing complaining that the television was too loud. And the sound of Isaiah laughing as Channing chased him around the living room as they roughhoused. When Joy and Isaiah had lived with them it was like she was glimpsing into the future when she and Channing wou
ld have little ones of their own. But now even that seemed like a pipe dream. She’d had another round of in vitro shots before she left. She tried to be enthusiastic, but her heart wasn’t in it.
“What are you thinking about?” Channing came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
“How wonderful you are.” She caressed his arm. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I know how much you love this place. When I talked to Marco on the phone he was convinced he could cheer you up.”
“Hence the cocktail party?”
“Yes. You know him. Good food and a few bottles of wine solves all of life’s ills.”
“I just hope I can keep something down.”
He turned her around. “You still not feeling well?”
“That turbulence kicked my butt, big time,” she grumbled.
Marco’s mother joined them on the terrace. She was a lovely lady who loved to talk, but she only spoke Italian. She’d been happily talking to Cassidy since they’d arrived, but Cassidy couldn’t understand a word. But she did know how to interpret the body language. Mama Di Giovanni had been giving her hugs and something to drink since she’d arrived. It was never anything alcoholic either. Just sparkling water with a splash of pomegranate juice and a lemon wedge. It was a tasty concoction and had managed to settle her stomach.
“Qualcosa per il vostro stomaco bella ragazza.” She offered Cassidy the drink.
“Thank you.” Cassidy smiled as she took the drink and sipped on it.
A minute later, Marco came out of the house talking in Italian to his mother. “Mamma, si prega di smettere di dare il mio amico quelle bevande.”
“Silenzio. E ‘ per il bambino,” Marco’s mom fired back.
“Non è incinta.” He gently put his hands on his mother’s shoulders.
“Cosa vorresti sapere sui bambini? Quando hai intenzione di trovare una bella donna come tuo amico?Non si può rimanere sposata abbastanza a lungo per darmi nipoti!” She waved her hand at him.
Leap of Faith (The Blake Boys Book 17) Page 14