you’re not imagining it.” Rachel shifted the carrier to her other hand. “It’s almost as if I can see her growing.”
“Can I take her for you?” He reached out, his big hand strong and steady.
She hesitated for just a moment. Would it violate the promise she’d made to Holly? Heck, she’d already let him hold the baby. But they were on opposite sides of this issue and she probably shouldn’t even be talking to him. Still, Emma was his niece. It would be more wrong to be inflexible.
She handed the baby over. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
He automatically took her elbow as they crossed the blacktop then climbed the steps to the imposing stone courthouse. It was the legal hub of the city and a busy place. People milled around talking or hurried in and out of the building. Many of them glanced in the infant carrier and smiled at the sleeping baby, then nodded at her and Jake. After Cora and Janie made their assumption that night at The Fast Lane, Rachel figured anyone who looked would also assume they were a couple and Emma belonged to the two of them. Soon the baby would be with one of them legally, if only temporarily. Unless… Rachel decided to try one more time to talk him into dropping his petition.
She put a restraining hand on his arm when he reached out to open the glass door to the building. “Can I talk to you for a minute—before we go in?”
“Okay. What?”
She looked up at him and smiled. “This is way too civilized for two people who are going to do battle shortly.”
“I heard you hired an attorney.”
“I have legal counsel. Whatever happens, I figured I’d give it my best shot for Holly’s sake.” If she’d been with her own mother while she’d been growing up, Rachel wondered if she would be going to the mat on this. Between that tragedy and her unfortunate, yet inherent nature to champion the underdog, she decided she had no choice.
She looked up at him and put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night.”
“What did I say?” he asked, frowning.
“Do unto others before they can do it to you. I just wanted to make sure you understand that I’m not trying to do anything to you. I’m just keeping a promise to a young girl who has to live for the rest of her life with the decision she makes. In that spirit, won’t you consider skipping the legal stuff? Can’t we take care of Emma together until the kids come back?”
He let out a long breath. “Look, Rachel, Holly might be okay with you running things, but I’m not. Emma is Dan’s child, too—and my family. No one goes through life without baggage, including me. But you’re interfering in a family matter.”
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