as if to ward off the pain.
His gut twisted at the sight and he walked closer to her.
“Beau,” she said in a breathless tone. “Thank you for coming.”
Before he could respond, a voice said from behind him, “Beau McCain, are you working on a Saturday?”
He turned toward the voice. “Morning, Joanne. Seems you’re working, too.”
“I’d introduce you, but evidently you know each other,” Macy said.
“Oh, yes. Beau and I have worked a lot of cases,” Joanne replied. “So you’re Ms. Randall’s attorney?” She didn’t give him time to answer. “You know the rules as well as I do. Once a baby is abandoned, she becomes a ward of the state and put into foster care until a stable home can be found.”
“You also know that there are always extenuating circumstances. Macy Randall is the baby’s aunt and wants to care for her. I’ll have the papers in your hands by the end of the day, appointing Ms. Randall the child’s legal guardian.”
“Not only handsome, but a miracle worker, too?”
Beau grinned at the harmless flirting. He’d known Joanne a long time. They understood each other and they both worked for the good of the child. “Face it, Joanne. This baby is better off with Ms. Randall.”
“The sister did leave a note to that effect.” She shifted the pile of papers in her arms to show him the note. “But I need more than a note. I need an order signed by a judge.”
“You’ll have it.”
“The baby has health problems and I’ll have to have something sooner than this afternoon.”
“That’s almost impossible.”
She shrugged. “My job is to look after the welfare of the baby. Sorry, Beau.”
Beau looked into Macy’s worried eyes and he knew he had to pull out all the stops. “May I have a copy of the note?”
“Give me a minute.” Joanne shifted the papers again and walked into an office.
“You think you can get something done today?” Macy asked, her voice anxious.
“I’ll try, but Zoë’s not going anywhere for a few days. That’ll give me plenty of time. It’ll just be a lot more paperwork and I’d rather get it done now.”
“Me, too.” Macy glanced toward Zoë.
Joanne came back and handed him a copy. “You have two hours. That’s all I can give you.”
Beau strolled away with the note in his hand. He needed a miracle. In his truck, he called Liz.
“See if you can locate Judge Brampton. I’m on the way to the office.” Judge Roland Brampton was known for his fairness and being a diligent advocate for children’s rights. If Beau had a chance of getting the guardianship paperwork done today, it would be with Roland.
“He’s going to love being bothered on a Saturday.”
“Just do it, Liz.”
As he arrived at his outer office, Liz was on the phone. In a minute she followed him into his office.
“The judge’s wife said he’s playing golf this morning.” She laid a piece of paper on his desk. “That’s his cell if you have nerve enough to call him.”
“Did his wife give you his cell number?”
“Of course not.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Remember the Dobbins case?”
“Sure.”
“The judge’s daughter was having a baby and he gave me his cell to call when I had the papers ready for him to sign. I jotted it down for future reference.”
“You’re a marvel.” He picked up a pad and handed it to her. “We’re going to file a motion for temporary guardianship with these names on the document.”
Liz stared at the names. “Macy…”
“I don’t have time to explain. Just get the paperwork done.”
She gave him an indignant glance and walked out.
Without a second thought he poked out the judge’s number. He’d been on the receiving end of a judge’s ire before and this was probably not going to be an exception. It rang several times before he heard the judge’s voice.
“McCain, this had better be important.” Obviously he’d looked at the caller number before answering.
“It is, judge.” He told him about Macy, Zoë and Delia’s disappearance.
“The mother left a note?”
“Yes, and I have a copy of it. The baby makes a wheezing sound when she breathes and the doctor has run tests to determine the cause. The results aren’t in yet, but this child may need special attention. In foster care, you know that’s not going to happen. Macy Randall is her aunt and a neonatal nurse who will love and give the baby all the care she needs. I’m sorry to bother you on a Saturday, judge, but a child’s welfare is at stake.”
“I’ll be in my office in an hour. You better have the paperwork in order. I’ll go over it and if it reads to my satisfaction, I’ll sign it.”
“Thanks, judge. I’ll see you in an hour.”
In less than an hour, Beau walked into the judge’s office. The motion was granted in less than ten minutes. He then hurried to the hospital.
Macy was in the nursery, sitting by the incubator watching Zoë. He didn’t bother her. He walked on to the supervisor’s office, where he’d agreed to meet Joanne. He handed her a copy of the signed papers.
She glanced through it. “You are a miracle worker.”
“I’ll need a copy for our records,” Harriet said, handing the papers to a nurse. “I’m so glad Macy will have custody of this baby. She’ll be well taken care of and that is everyone’s main concern.”
Joanne picked up her briefcase. “I’m glad I don’t have to find a home for her. Foster homes for babies who require special attention are scarce.”
Beau headed back to the nursery with a copy of the papers in his hand. Macy was coming out and her eyes grew big when she saw him.
“What happened?”
“It’s done. You have legal guardianship.” He gave her the papers.
“Oh, my.” Her hands trembled against her mouth. “Thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
He breathed in her scent and felt the softness of her skin, her body. For a moment he allowed himself to enjoy the sensation. Then he removed her arms and looked into her eyes. “Don’t thank me. I would have done it for anyone.” With that,
