by Glynna Kaye
In frustration, her fingers searched the bottom for any scrap of paper that may have escaped its file. Her efforts were rewarded as she withdrew a piece of folded notebook paper.
It opened to an airy, feminine script.
I’m sorry, Rob. I just can’t do it. I’m not mom or wife material. You know it as much as I do. Angie’s all yours. Remember your promise. Cassie
Olivia sat staring at the page. How could Angie’s mother leave such a note? Walk off and abandon the two most important people God had brought into her life? But it was proof. Something to give the police if they showed up with Cassie’s parents.
Or would they claim she wrote it herself?
With shaky hands, Olivia slipped the note into one of the folders, then sat in numbed silence for a long moment, prayers going up for the troubled young woman. In a final, futile attempt to find contact information, she felt along the sides of the file—and withdrew a five-by-seven color photograph.
A family portrait.
Rob, newborn Angie and an oddly familiar-looking woman who could only be Cassie. Did Angie look more like her mother than she originally suspected? In the stiffly arranged photo, Rob appeared anxious, protective of the bundle in his arms. A beaming Cassie was only weeks from fleeing.
Olivia studied the photo, trying to understand the dissolution of this little family. Somehow she’d thought Cassie would look, well, evil. But the attractive blonde with a smattering of freckles appeared anything but a fiend. Rather, she looked gentle, kindhearted. Full of life. She looked—
Like the woman who’d asked for directions in the park yesterday afternoon.
Olivia stared at the photograph, now grasped between shaking fingers. She couldn’t be mistaken. The woman who’d approached her had been Cassie. Was she here to back up her parents’ claim to Angie?
Fumbling to relock the steel box, Olivia’s mind raced. Regardless of Cassie’s intent, she was in Canyon Springs. And Olivia had to find her.
Back in the main room she checked on Angie, then retrieved her cell phone and punched in Rob’s speed dial. She had to let him know this latest turn of events. Warn him. But the call went instantly to messaging. He was probably talking to Joe or Meg. Or a lawyer. A cop.
Gripping the phone, she took a steadying breath. She’d already called him in panic once and didn’t want to upset him further. But he needed to know.
“Rob,” she stated, her voice surprisingly firm. In control now that she had a plan. “I have reason to believe Angie’s mother is in town. I’m going to try to find her. Enlist her help. I’ll call you when I know more. Bye.”
Hurrying over to Angie, she lifted the child from the playpen and in no time readied her to go. Got her into shoes and a jacket. Dare she take Angie with her? Or should she leave her with Brett in the Singing Rock office?
But Rob said not to let her out of her sight.
Heading down the apartment stairs with Angie in her arms, a sudden thought struck her. What if she did find Cassie and convinced her to tell the truth to the officials? Could persuade her to come to Singing Rock and back Rob up in opposition to her parents?
Gut-kicked, she slowed her steps as she neared the door leading to the lodge’s front porch. Reconnecting Cassie to daughter and daddy could stir up old feelings, couldn’t it? Reignite romantic embers.
She could lose Rob. And Angie.
Dare she risk it?
Looking down at the solemn-eyed child gazing up at her with eyes so like her father’s, she could see only one answer.
Please, God, let me find Cassie.
Chapter Twenty
Over halfway home, Rob finished his calls and tossed the cell phone to the seat beside him. Then he pulled out onto the road again. The signal had faded in and out as he wound his way back into the high country, making the much-needed conversations difficult. He’d lost the signal altogether when he tried again to leave a message for Cassie. He wasn’t one to drive and chat, but hadn’t dared delay his departure from the Valley.
Angie and Olivia needed him.
Thanks to his brother-in-law, he’d secured a local lawyer, just in case—Jake Talford, one of the city councilmen. He’d filled the attorney in on the situation and he, in turn, intended to contact local law enforcement. Take a proactive step to ward off Cassie’s parents.
Rob’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he glanced at the speedometer. Reluctantly he eased up on the gas. He’d promised Olivia he’d drive carefully. That he wouldn’t go sailing off down a steep incline and into a rugged arroyo. He’d done all he could from a distance. Now he needed to get himself safely home.
Would he be required by law to give Cassie’s parents shared custody? Visitation rights? He didn’t want to deprive grandparents of a grandchild, but releasing Angie to these strangers who’d all but crippled the good-hearted Cassie sickened him. Jake said they’d approached out of the blue, with no advance communication, and had lied in an attempt to get Olivia to turn Angie over to them. So he could likely restrict contact to supervised visitation.
Cassie would back him up, wouldn’t she? And Olivia? She’d been so insistent about him finding Cassie. Almost as though she herself needed confirmation that what he’d told her was the truth. That didn’t sound like a woman who believed in him, one who was on his side, but rather one who didn’t yet fully trust him. Had doubts. Was ready to bolt.
He glanced down at the phone on the seat next to him. He’d better pull over again and check for messages that may have come in while he’d been taking care of business. Maybe Olivia had called. Moments later he again tossed the phone aside. The message wasn’t one he wanted to hear.
Cassie was in town. Why?
And Olivia intended to find her.
This wasn’t the biggest town on the planet. But driving up and down the streets of Canyon Springs—surging with visitors intent on catching a glimpse of autumn color and end-of-season sales—Olivia still hadn’t spotted Cassie’s car. Two hours ago she’d glimpsed the rental belonging to Cassie’s parents parked at one of the restaurants. Unfortunately, she wasn’t gifted at distinguishing makes and models of cars. She only recalled that Cassie’s was white—like almost every other car in Arizona.
Had she left town? Surely not, with her parents still here. But what was she up to? Why didn’t she accompany her parents to Singing Rock to claim their grandchild? And why did she approach Olivia and Angie at the park? What was the point of that? Was she scouting things out so she could snatch Angie and run, as her parents claimed Rob had done?
Olivia glanced into the rearview mirror at the little girl buckled into her car seat and chewing on an animal cracker. A child innocently oblivious of the drama surrounding her. She glanced at the dashboard clock. Why hadn’t Rob returned her call? He could be home by now, couldn’t he? Not wanting to give up her search for Cassie, she nevertheless pulled her car into a motel lot and parked. Rolled down the window a few inches. Dug out her cell phone.
Phooey.
She’d accidentally turned off the ringer. Had messages waiting. All were from Rob. She punched in his number and he picked up.
“I’m home. Where are you?”
“I’m in town—with Angie. I didn’t find Cassie.”
“What made you think you recognized her in the first place? You’ve never even met her.”
“I found a photo this morning.” She held her breath, knowing it would take him two seconds to realize the only place she could have found it. “Then I knew I’d spoken with her yesterday.”
“So she really is here.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t find her, Rob.”
“Just as well. Keep Angie with you. Don’t come back to Singing Rock. Cassie’s folks could show up any time. I need to get this straightened out.”
The
phone went dead in her unsteady hand.
How could she pray anything less than for the broken family to be reunited? She had to find Angie’s mother.
“Libbia!”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“I’m thirsty.”
With a heavy heart, she stowed the cell phone and reached for the carrying bag to retrieve a sippy cup of water. Handed the plastic container to the sleepy-eyed toddler.
“Tank you.”
“You’re—”
Olivia’s heart stilled as her eyes focused outside the window on a woman exiting from one of the motel rooms. Cassie. Heading right toward her. Or so it seemed for a second. Then she veered to a white car parked a couple of empty slots over from Olivia’s. In an instant, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her own car door. Got out.
“Cassie?”
Startled, the woman glanced her way. But from the look on her face, she recognized Olivia at once.
“I need to talk to you.” Olivia’s voice came surprisingly firm. In control. Not to be denied.
The blonde met her halfway between the cars. The two women assessed each other in silence, Olivia reading uncertainty in the eyes of Angie’s mother. What did she see reflected in Olivia’s face? Curiosity? Fear? Determination?
“You’re Cassie Wells, aren’t you? The birth mother of Rob McGuire’s daughter.”
“I am.”
“What are you doing here?”
A delicate eyebrow rose. No doubt she hadn’t expected such a direct question, the harsh tone, but Olivia didn’t have time to waste.
“I wanted to see her. See where she and Rob are living.”
“You’re having second thoughts about giving her up.”
“No. Not at all,” the woman stated firmly. “I’m assured, seeing this beautiful town. Seeing how she’s being cared for. Knowing the sacrifices Rob’s made and will continue to make on her behalf. Leaving her with him was the right thing to do.”
Olivia scoffed. “Don’t pretend. I know you’re here with your parents. Here to claim Angie.”
Her face paled. “My parents? What are you—”
“Why are you trying to harm Rob? Lying that he threatened you, kidnapped his daughter.”
“Rob didn’t—”
“That’s what your parents are saying. I don’t know what you’re up to, but it’s not going to work. Rob still has that note you left him when you took off. Abandoned Angie. I imagine he’s saved your phone messages, too.”
“Wait.” Cassie held up her hand. “I’m not here to take her away from him. My parents are here? Right now?”
“To claim Angie on your behalf.”
“You have to believe me, I had no idea.”
Could she be telling the truth? Could her presence in Canyon Springs be a freak coincidence? She had, after all, called Rob to warn him, hadn’t she?
“When I talked to them, they threatened to bring the law down on him. They’re saying he forced you to give up your child.”
“He didn’t. It was my decision and I stand by it.” She made a helpless motion. “This is all my fault. I never intended that my parents know about her. I got in a fight with them and—”
“That doesn’t matter now. What matters is that the truth comes out. That you back up Rob. You’ll do that, won’t you?”
Cassie turned a wondering gaze in Angie’s direction, her words coming softly. “I think that’s why I’m here.”
Olivia’s scalp prickled, the sensation spreading down her arms. “What do you mean?”
“For the past week I’ve felt a strong impression that I should come here. To make sure all was well. I kept putting it off. I didn’t want to see Rob or his daughter. But I finally gave in.”
Olivia took a quivering breath. Thank You, Lord.
“Then come with me to Singing Rock, Cassie. Now.”
Usually Rob stepped out on the shaded, wood-floored expanse of the lodge to welcome visitors, to offer his hand, hospitality and a smile. But not today.
“Mr. Wells?”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Robert McGuire?”
“I am.”
“I should flatten you for what you did to my daughter.” He lifted his chin pugnaciously, but the woman beside him—Cassie’s stepmom?—placed a restraining hand on his arm.
How ironic that this pair should come to the defense of Cassie’s honor when, from what he’d gleaned from her, they hadn’t cared much about what she did or where she went once she was of an age when they no longer controlled the funds left by her mother.
“I won’t deny a relationship with Cassie that brought our child into the world. But we both know I didn’t kidnap my daughter as I’ve heard you’ve been proclaiming. So let’s drop that tactic of yours right now. It’s wasted on me. And won’t hold up in a court of law.”
Or at least it wouldn’t if Cassie backed him up.
The man glanced toward the lodge’s main door. “So where is she? My grandchild?”
“She’s not on the property at the moment. I suggest you rethink whatever it is you have planned and go back to wherever you came from.”
“We won’t be dismissed so easily, Mr. McGuire. We intend to seek custody of our grandchild.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Cassie wasn’t in any condition to be making decisions about the welfare of her baby so soon after the birth,” the woman inserted. “That post-partum syndrome, I imagine. Then you pressured her to—”
“No one pressured anyone to do anything. Cassie left of her own free will. She could have stayed. Been a mother to our daughter. Become my wife.”
“And let you get your hands on her inheritance?”
“I cared nothing about that and she knew it. But it seems you had quite the interest in it at one time—and may have an interest in what your granddaughter may inherit from her maternal great-grandmother when the time comes.”
“Don’t fight us on this, McGuire. You’ll wish you hadn’t. We’ll use any legal means at our disposal. Cassie will be discredited. A psychiatrist will prove my daughter was in no mental or emotional condition to make decisions about—”
“Dad.”
The threesome spun toward the soft voice as a woman stepped out from the side of the building.
Cassie. And Olivia, with his sleeping daughter in her arms. He’d been so focused on these people intruding into his life, he hadn’t noticed them pulling into the clearing.
Angie’s mother had changed little since the last time he’d seen her. Since the night before she composed her note, taped it to the door of a bedroom they didn’t share and drove off without waking him.
She stepped up on the porch, her signature flowing skirt wafting around her ankles. Her usually vibrant features hard with determination. “Don’t do this, Dad.”
Her father took a step toward her, then stopped, her body language holding him at bay. “We’re here to help you, honey. Help you get your baby back.”
“I don’t want my baby back.”
While the conviction in her voice brought Rob relief, the harshness of her words renewed sorrow for Angie’s sake.
“This man took advantage of you, sweetheart. Then tricked you into giving up your child.”
“Nobody tricked me. I stand by my decision.” Her forehead puckered as she stared at him in disbelief. “Do you think I’d risk raising a child after the way you raised me? I don’t know anything about healthy parenting. Or sustaining an adult relationship for that matter. All I ever saw or heard from you and Mom were arguments. Hateful, selfish encounters. You bullying, undermining Mom’s self-esteem. And Mom retaliating passive-aggressively. That’s no way to bring up a child. I will never allow my daughter to grow up in an
environment like that.”
“Now, Cassie—”
“You won’t win, Dad. Not even with every single lawyer in the country at your disposal. I’ve confessed everything to Mom’s mother, and Grandma has the means to tie this up in court until her great-grandchild is twenty-one if that’s what it takes. You will not get your hands on this little girl.”
“Hold on now—”
“Dad, for once in your life, listen to what I’m saying. Respect my wishes. I want this sweet child to grow up in a loving home like Rob can provide.”
He cut Rob a belittling look. “A single man?”
“Yes, a single man.” She glanced at Rob with a confident nod, then turned again to her father, eyes softening. Pleading. “Dad, in spite of everything in our past, I still care for you. Please don’t do something to change that.”
He stared at her for a long moment, a clash of emotions warring in his eyes, then he glanced at his wife.
She shook her head. “You’re making a mistake, Cassandra.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Eyes still dark with anger and resentment, her father motioned to Angie. “Could I at least hold my grandchild?”
Rob stiffened, but Cassie was not to be swayed. “Not today, Dad. I imagine Rob will be willing to discuss supervised visitation if you think you still want that. I seriously doubt you will. There’s nothing for you to gain from it.”
Her father shot Rob a dirty look. Then he took his wife by the arm and returned to their car, making no effort to approach his daughter. To utter words of love and acceptance in spite of her own confession that she still cared for him. Was it any wonder Cassie couldn’t grasp the concept of a Heavenly Father considering the example she’d had on earth?
“Daddy!” Still secured in Olivia’s embrace, a sleepy-eyed Angie stretched her little arms out toward him. “Daddy!”
He strode to her and picked her up, letting his gaze speak his thankfulness to Olivia. But his heart ached. If only she’d believed him, had taken his word. Hadn’t needed Cass to confirm the truthfulness of what he’d told her.