needed a guiding hand and to know that someone cared and would always be there for him.
After Micah went inside, Tuck thought it was time to have a talk with the principal to let him know about the problem. The principal said he’d do what he could, but it was hard to control some of the kids. Tuck knew that and had to accept the explanation—for now.
When he reached his office, Opal called. Wilma Harper had passed away. She and her daughter would have one funeral and be buried next to each other. So much heartache and sadness. Tuck hoped they’d found everlasting peace.
That left Brady.
Tuck spent every spare moment he had at the hospital. Brady’s wounds were healing and he wasn’t quite so aggressive, but they had a long way to go. He didn’t speak, only made grunting sounds. Wilma had said he was saying words, but the staff hadn’t seen any signs of that. Neither had Tuck. CPS wanted a complete evaluation of Brady so he was staying in the hospital a while longer.
Brady preferred being alone, playing alone. If anyone got too close, he became aggressive, biting and hitting. He could walk and he enjoyed the playroom, where he could play with the toys at his leisure. Tuck often sat and watched him. Occasionally he’d roll a ball to him and Brady would roll it back. Slowly Tuck was gaining his trust.
Beau called and said he’d filed the papers. Now they waited for a hearing date. Opal told him that they had another applicant file for custody. She didn’t offer a name and he didn’t press her. He would have to take his chances in court.
Beau called at the end of the week and wanted to meet. Tuck didn’t understand why they couldn’t talk on the phone, but he agreed to meet him at a local restaurant. Sliding into the booth, he noticed Beau’s worried expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“I wanted to tell you in person. A couple has filed a petition for temporary custody pending adoption of Brady.”
A waitress arrived and they ordered coffee.
“Opal mentioned that, but she didn’t give a name.”
“Lisa and Keith Templeton,” Beau said.
The waitress brought coffee. “Thank you,” Tuck said to the waitress as she left.
“With a couple in the picture, it makes our case that much harder to win. They both have spotless backgrounds, good jobs and are respected members of the community. They don’t have other children and the woman plans to quit her job to stay at home with Brady.”
Tuck’s stomach clenched. “It sounds too good to be true.”
Beau took a sip of his coffee. “Mmm. The Templeton’s want Brady badly and they’ve hired a very good attorney to make that happen.”
“Who is it?” Tuck asked.
“Have you talked to Eli or Caroline lately?”
“No. I’ve been spending all my free time at the hospital and with the boys I mentor. Why? Do they know this attorney?”
Beau shifted nervously. “Yes. The Templeton’s attorney is Grace Whitten.”
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