by Linda Warren
She picked the toddler up and carried her into the living room. Sitting in the big comfy chair, she cradled her daughter close. If the judge granted the Baumans visitation rights, Abby didn’t know what she was going to do. She’d take Chloe and leave the country before she’d let them spend one minute with her. She and Chloe had been put through enough.
Her stomach twisted at the enormous task ahead of her. Her primary goal was to protect her child. She couldn’t fail.
She stared out the French doors to the gray October sky. Ethan would help with the case. At the thought, her stomach settled down. After all the doubts and hurt feelings, she still trusted him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
AS SOON AS Ethan got the call from Lissa he was on the job and in a better mood. It didn’t take him long to find Bradley Cummins. He was a CPA in Georgetown, Texas, not far out of Austin. After getting the truth out of Mr. Cummins, he got the man to sign a statement to the fact that Douglas Bauman had paid him to harass Abby in college.
From Lissa’s office, he went to the station and apologized to the lieutenant. He told him he wasn’t ready to return to work. He needed more time. But he did sit down with Ross and Hal to go over some details from the robbery. Hal didn’t object. They had a solid case for the D.A, because homicide, robbery and the FBI had worked together.
Ethan nursed a cup of coffee. “Did you guys wonder why Bauman was so sure Abby would call him after Rudy accosted her?”
“Yeah.” Hal scratched his head. “That was a little puzzling since they were divorced, but we really don’t need all the answers to nail that bastard.”
“Lissa Malone...”
“A courier just brought a large envelope from her,” Hal interrupted. “I haven’t opened it yet.”
“She’s attempting to gain legal and physical custody of Chloe for Abby without any visitation rights to Doug or the Baumans.”
Ross shook his head. “Bauman’s attorneys will not let that happen.”
“Don’t underestimate Lissa or Abby. In one of their many talks Abby remembered something very crucial. Lissa has sent you copies of what she discovered. After the incident in college, Abby did not call Doug as Doug had stated. He called Abby because he set up the whole thing to get Abby back after she’d broken up with him.”
“Now that makes sense.” Ross nodded. “Doug planned to call Abby when she got into the bank and come to her rescue, but it blew up in his face.”
Ethan took a quick swallow of coffee. “That’s about it. Once the bad stuff started happening he didn’t have the guts to stop it. In his warped mind, if Abby made it out alive, he’d be the consoling ex. If she died, he’d be the grieving ex and a single father, which was sure to draw his father’s sympathies. With money to pay off Rudy and Estelle, he felt safe behind his manipulations.” He downed the rest of the coffee. “How’d the bail hearing go?”
“The judge is holding firm on no bail,” Ross said. “He’s too big of a flight risk, but Baumans’ attorneys are in there trying. The last I heard they were petitioning to have him evaluated by a psychologist in a hospital environment. That didn’t fly either. He’s being evaluated, but not in a hospital. The D.A. is keeping him locked up tight.”
“I agree he’s insane, but he knew right from wrong and he did it anyway.” Ethan got to his feet. “I better go before I get my blood pressure bubbling.”
“Nice seeing you, Ethan,” Hal called as he walked away.
Ross fell into step beside him. “When are you coming back? I’m paired with Holby and it’s not the same.”
“I don’t know. I told the lieutenant the same thing. I’m trying to sort out the future for me and my kid.”
“And Abby?”
“I don’t know, man, if she can even see a future after the hell Doug has put her through. And if the Baumans are allowed visitation, I’m not sure what she’ll do.”
“But you’ll be there to help her.”
“I’m not sure she wants that.”
“Good luck,” Ross said as Ethan went through the door.
Ross was right. He’d be there for Abby to the bitter end whether she wanted him to be or not.
* * *
ABBY FINALLY GOT Chloe down for the night and put her in her own bed, hoping she’d stay there and not wake up at midnight screaming for Mommy. It disrupted the night for both of them. Soon, though, she prayed Chloe would make it through the night in her own bed.
Abby planned to watch a movie, but before she could make it to the living room her cell buzzed. It was Lissa, and she came straight to the point, as always.
“Abby, I’ve obtained the medical reports from when you and Ethan were brought in and also when you and Chloe were taken by helicopter to the hospital. Were you aware that Chloe wasn’t breathing when you pulled her from the car?”
Abby began to tremble and she had to sit down. “Yes. She was so pale and limp I knew something was terribly wrong. Then Ethan took her and performed CPR. He said she was breathing and then the chopper arrived. It happened very quickly. The doctor said we got to the hospital just in time.”
“If Ethan hadn’t given her CPR, she would have been DOA.”
Abby gasped.
“I’m not saying that to be cruel,” Lissa hastened to add.
“It’s okay,” Abby told her. “Like I told you, Doug was regularly giving Chloe Tylenol, which I was unaware of, when she stayed with him. He said she always cried for Mommy and it was the only way to keep her quiet. I was stunned when he told me and I wanted to kill him with my bare hands.”
“Well, I’ve heard all I need to hear. I’m filing a petition to terminate Douglas Bauman’s paternal rights.”
“Can you do that?”
“I have more than enough horrifying evidence for the judge to take a long look at it. And if the judge grants it, then we don’t have to worry about the Baumans.”
“Oh, Lissa.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too high. The judge will look at all the evidence and decide if Chloe will be better off without her father in her life. A man who drugs and almost kills his child is a no-brainer to me, but either way I’ll be in there fighting for you and Chloe.”
“Thank you, Lissa.”
For the first time Abby could see a ray of light in her dismal situation. There was hope. And Ethan was a big part of that hope. She’d heard from Lissa that Ethan had gotten Bradley to admit that Doug had paid him to frighten her, just as she’d thought. She wanted to thank him. She fiddled with her phone. It wasn’t only about the thanks. She wanted to hear his voice, to be with him. Laying the phone aside, she wasn’t sure that was even possible now.
* * *
TWO DAYS BEFORE the hearing, the judge wanted to visit with Chloe. Abby was hesitant about this, but Lissa said it was absolutely necessary. If they had a chance for the judge to grant the petition, she had to assess Chloe’s mental health herself, even though the custody evaluator and a child psychologist had already visited Abby and Chloe. It was unusual for a judge to ask this so Lissa felt it was a good sign.
There was a playroom at family court and Abby waited with Chloe to meet Judge Judith Seaton. Chloe investigated all the toys then sat in a red rocker, holding Baby. Abby took a seat in a straight-backed chair, feeling queasy.
As soon as the door opened, Chloe flew to her and hid her face against Abby.
“Good morning, I’m Judith,” the judge introduced herself informally.
“I’m Abby, and this is my daughter.”
The judge pulled a chair closer and sat down. “What a pretty little girl. What’s your name?”
Chloe didn’t respond.
“Tell the lady your name,” Abby urged.
“Chloe,” she barely whispered.
“How old are you Chloe?”
; Chloe held up three fingers.
“Next year you’ll go to school. Would you like that?”
“Yes.” Chloe raised her head. The judge had her full attention. “I’m gonna go to school like Kelsey.”
Abby did a double take. She didn’t even know Chloe remembered Kelsey.
“Who’s Kelsey?” the judge asked.
“My friend. She calls me twerp.”
“Why does she call you twerp?”
“’Cause she likes me.”
“I see.”
Abby tried hard not to smile. It was an endearment, after all. At least to Chloe.
“Who’s this?” The judge pointed to the doll Chloe was holding.
“Baby, my dolly. I hold her when I’m sad.”
“I see. You like Baby?”
Chloe nodded.
“Do you like Mommy?”
“I love Mommy.”
“Do you love Daddy?”
Chloe burrowed against her, turning her face away from the judge.
“Do you love your daddy?” the judge repeated.
“No,” Chloe spat and literally began to climb Abby. “Wanna go home. Wanna go home.”
Abby grabbed her with both hands, pulling her back into her lap. “Mommy’s here. It’s okay.” She kissed her face over and over.
After Chloe had calmed down, the judge asked very gently, “Chloe, may I ask you one more question? And Mommy’s right here. She’s not going anywhere.”
Chloe nodded with tear-filled eyes.
“Do you love Grandfather and CeCe?”
Chloe shook her head. “They take Baby, and I cry ’cause I scared.”
“Thank you, Chloe. I really enjoyed talking to you.” Without another word, the judge left the room.
She hugged Chloe. “Let’s go to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
“Okay.” Chloe crawled down and Abby took her hand. She wanted to ask about Kelsey but decided not to. Chloe had had a fascination with Kelsey ever since she’d met her. Just as Abby had a fascination with Kelsey’s father.
So she decided to leave that door closed—for now.
* * *
THE HEARING DAY arrived and Abby was all nerves. Lissa and the Baumans’ attorney met with the judge in the morning to present their arguments. At three in the afternoon the judge would render her decision. Abby didn’t attend the morning session as Lissa said it was unnecessary, but Lissa wanted her there for the ruling. There was no way Abby would be anywhere else.
Holly took off work to be there, and Abby was grateful to have her friend’s support. Her parents had Chloe in the playroom. It didn’t even seem odd that she thought of Gayle as her parent because she was now, in every sense of the word.
The courtroom was small, paneled in dark wood. There was a stern, official feel to it, with the United States and Texas flags standing in a corner. Abby sat with Lissa on the right and the Baumans were with their attorney on the left. Glancing back, she nodded to Holly, but she was really looking for Ethan. She thought he would be here. She needed him to be here.
“I just wanted you to know I visited with Douglas at the jail,” Lissa said as they waited.
“Why?”
“I thought he had a right to hear from me that I was trying to terminate his parental rights. I was hoping the bastard would have a conscience and do the honorable thing.”
“He didn’t?”
“No, so we’re on our own today. Keep positive thoughts.”
Abby’s attention was on the judge as she took her seat. “Good afternoon, everyone.” Judge Seaton folded her hands over a larger folder. An iPad was to her right. “I have spent a great deal of time reviewing the evidence that supports terminating Douglas Bauman’s rights as a father. Fatherhood is a God-given gift and no one should have the power to interfere with that. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances in this case. Mr. Bauman did some bad things, but is that enough to sever his ties to his daughter?”
Oh, no. Abby gripped her hands in her lap until they were numb. The judge’s words didn’t sound positive.
“My main concern is three-year-old Chloe and her welfare and her future. There’s no doubt she’s been traumatized by her father’s actions, but she’s young and the bad memories will fade. Children are very forgiving. So I had to ask myself, in the years ahead would Chloe want to see her father? Would she want to have a relationship with him?”
Abby moved restlessly. She couldn’t take much more of this. Lissa shot her a consoling glance.
The judge opened the file and pulled out something. It looked like a photo. “Every time I asked myself those questions I came back to this photo. It was taken with an officer’s phone seconds after Chloe was pulled from the car by her mother.” She motioned to the Baumans’ attorney and he stepped forward to take it. “According to the officer’s deposition, Chloe was not breathing. Detective Ethan James performed CPR on the highway and brought her back, but the doctor’s report said she once again stopped breathing in the E.R. There are bruises on her neck where she was held by force.
“This bothered me a great deal. Chloe is alive because good people acted quickly.” She paused for a second. “Douglas Bauman forfeited his paternal rights when he forced Tylenol down his daughter’s throat. Today I’m making it official. Douglas Bauman’s paternal rights to Chloe Bauman are terminated. Full legal and physical custody is awarded to Abigail...Baines. I’m also granting the name change for Abigail and Chloe.”
“This is an outrage.” Richard Bauman was on his feet.
“Yes, it is, Mr. Bauman,” the judge replied. “I suggest you get counseling for your son, yourself and your wife. This case is adjourned.”
Abby jumped up and hugged Lissa. “Thank you! Thank you!”
The Baumans walked out without a word.
Holly ran up and grabbed her, and then her parents and Chloe came in. They hugged and kissed and everyone was smiling. Chloe didn’t have a clue what was going on, but she was smiling, too. Abby picked her up and held her tight. All she wanted was for her baby to be happy. The judge had given her that chance and Abby was ecstatic.
She raised her head and saw Ethan standing in the doorway. Her heart soared. He nodded and walked away. No. No. No! She handed Chloe to Gayle. “Stay with Grandma. Mommy’ll be right back.”
She ran for the entrance, but she didn’t know which way he had gone. The parking lot was the logical place. Her heels made clickety-clack sounds on the pavement. She stopped when she saw him opening his truck door.
“Ethan!”
He turned, his handsome face marred with sadness.
“Ethan,” she breathed and took off running. He held out his arms and she flew into them. Her body molded to his until they were one mass of quivering need. “I’m sorry.” She stroked his face, his hair. “I got derailed by all the pain.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
“Ethan...”
“Shh.” His lips found hers and the world righted itself for the first time in months. “I love you, lady,” he whispered into her mouth.
“I love you, too.” They held on, just needing to touch each other.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Congratulations.”
“It’s over and I can breathe again.” She kissed him briefly. “I can’t stand to be away from you another night. What are we going to do? You have a twelve-year-old you’re just getting to know. I have a traumatized three-year-old. How can we ever be together?”
“We get married” was his shocking yet delightful answer.
“Do we dare?”
“Just trust me.”
“E-tan, E-tan,” Chloe cried, running toward them.
Ethan caught her. “Hey, cutie.”
“Where’s Kelsey?” Chloe asked.
/> “In school. How would you and your mommy like to go with me to pick her up?”
“Can we, Mommy? Can we?”
“Since we came with Grandpa, I don’t see why not.”
“I’ll get the car seat out of the back of my car,” her dad said.
Within minutes they had Chloe buckled in. Abby hugged Holly and her parents. Gayle hung on a little longer. “Just be happy.”
“I am.” She smiled and climbed into the passenger’s seat. “I’m finally getting to ride in this big silver truck.”
“Yep.”
“Don’t rear-end anyone.”
“As long as a beautiful blonde doesn’t stop dead in front of me.” He grinned and pulled out into traffic. Glancing at her, he asked, “Ready for a new adventure?”
“Yes.” She gazed into his warm, warm brown eyes and knew whatever they had to face down the road they would face it together.
Love was all they needed, after all. And a little trust.
EPILOGUE
One year later...
ETHAN JAMES BELIEVED in real love and happy endings. And if someone pressed him, he might even admit to believing in fairy tales—reality style.
The hard-nosed cop had been tamed.
He spooned a sleeping Abby, kissing her warm neck. “Time to get up. Your parents are coming for lunch.”
“Five more minutes,” she begged.
His wife was not an early riser. During the week when the alarm went off, she got up, but on weekends she liked to laze in bed. With two active daughters, that was an indulgence.
“You got it.” He kissed her cheek and rested his face against hers.
The past year had been a frenzy of activities, some emotional and some tearful, but the marriage was working. No one tried harder than Abby to create a loving family.
They were married a week after the hearing in the small church where Chloe used to go to day care. Gayle outdid herself with a reception in her home. The day was perfect except for the two kids, who seemed to dislike each other. Or, he had to admit, it was his kid causing all the problems. He had thrown a lot at her at one time, and he kept hoping she’d adjust. It didn’t happen overnight, though.