Authors: Francis Ray

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (9 page)

BOOK: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

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“Certainly not married ones,” Madison quipped. As soon as the words were out she regretted their snippiness. She dragged her hand through her hair. “I don't want to discuss this. Just leave.”

“Please reconsider, Madison. Could you honestly send her someplace where you had no guarantee they wouldn't mistreat her?”

She couldn't, and it angered her that he seemed to know. “If you leave her here you don't have a guarantee, either.”

His expression softened. “Yes, I do. I saw you with her in the hospital.”

Madison slowly shook her head. “You can't be sure.” Her eyes shut. “I can't be sure,” she mumbled softly to herself.

Zachary heard. “I'm here, aren't I?”

Her eyes snapped open. “You have her, you keep her.”

He bounced Manda on his knee. “Told you. My lawyer says I don't have a chance.”

Madison rubbed both hands over her face. When had he become so
stubborn and so talkative? “Can't you get it through your head that I'm not involved in this? I had nothing to do with her being here.”

“Neither did she.”

Madison glanced at Manda staring at her and fought hard to rein in her temper. “Why are you pushing this?”

“Remember, I gave my word,” he answered simply.

Madison vividly recalled giving her word as well, but she hadn't known the truth then. Much as she tried to close her mind and heart to the baby's happy chattering a few feet away, she couldn't forget how satisfying and good it had felt to have Manda trust her enough to come willingly into her arms, to take a bottle from her, then fall asleep in her arms. “Contact a private adoption agency. You'll be able to check out the applicants personally.”

“I know this isn't easy,” Zachary said, ignoring her suggestion. “Open your heart, Madison. You both have lost so much.”

Madison shoved her hands into her pockets again. “I don't want to discuss it any further. She's been fed, and now you can go.”

“You have every right to be angry at Wes, but don't take it out on Manda,” Zachary pressed. “Neither of you had any say so in this. You're angry with Wes and no one could blame you, but you're wrong if you take it out on the baby. She's as much a victim in this as you are. More so, because, as hard as it is on you, you know what happened. She doesn't understand why the mother she keeps looking for to walk through the door is never coming back. Her mother is never going to pick her up or sing her a lullaby again. Nothing you're facing can compare to what she's lost.”

His words pricked like stinging nettles. The doorbell chimed and she ignored it. “I want you to leave.”

“You're better than this. Just open your heart.”

She laughed raggedly. “Wes ripped out my heart.”

“It may feel like it now, but it's still there, waiting.”

“All I want is to be left alone.” She paced then stopped and turned. “Can't you understand? I look into her face and see his eyes. I look at her and my stomach knots.”

“It's not going to be without some bumps for either of you, but maybe together you can help heal each other.”

Madison hung her head, pressing her fingers to her throbbing temple.

The doorbell chimed again. “Why don't you rest and I'll answer it?”

Madison lifted her head, and stared at him incredulously. When he was building the house, he seldom spoke; now it seemed he couldn't shut up.

The chime came again.

“Gather up her things,” she told him, her eyes narrowed in determination. “As soon as I get rid of whoever it is, you're next.”

Madison walked toward the front door, wondering how she'd get rid of Zachary. She wasn't ready to admit Wes's betrayal to anyone, not even Gordon who, despite his age, could probably toss Zachary out on his ear. She frowned as she unlocked the door. On second thought, that might not be a good idea. The muscles in Zachary's arms were rock-hard, his chest massive. He was probably as strong as an ox. He was certainly as stubborn as one.

Annoyance nipping at her heels, she opened the door. A woman was walking back down the three brick steps toward a car parked in the circular driveway. However, she turned when she heard the door open.

“Ms. Reed?”

Madison frowned. She didn't recognize the attractive young black woman, but there had been many people in the last few days she hadn't known. This one was dressed in a tailored gray blazer, white blouse, and gray trousers. Her straight, shoulder-length black hair grazed her shoulders. The well-worn black leather bag was Louis Vuitton. Whoever the woman was, Madison intended to use her presence to get rid of Zachary. “Yes.”

The woman, who looked to be around the same age as Madison, came back up the walkway. As she neared the door she opened the oversized leather bag and pulled out a laminated identification badge. “I'm Camille Jacobs, a social worker with Child Protective Services. I've come to see Manda Taylor.”

EIGHT

M
ADISON BARELY KEPT HER jaw from dropping as she jerked her gaze back up from the unflattering picture to the woman's face.

Her brow knitting, Camille Jacobs returned the ID badge to her purse. “She was checked out of the hospital three days ago by two men who identified themselves as your lawyer and a family friend, Sam Peters and Zachary Holman. They had temporary custody papers granted by Velma Taylor, Manda's great-aunt, and authorized by a judge. The child is here isn't she?”

“Yes, ma'am, she's here,” Zachary said, with a smile from beside Madison. He held Manda in one arm and extended the other one to the social worker. “Good evening, I'm Zachary Holman.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Holman.” The handshake was brief.

All Madison could do under the watchful eye of the social worker was glare at Zachary. Exposing his duplicity would only create problems. As much as he annoyed her, she agreed with him about the unpredictability of foster care. Manda could be placed in a wonderful home, but what if she wasn't? “As you can see, Ms. Jacobs, she's here. So if you'll excuse us, Mr. Holman and I have a great deal to discuss.”

“This won't take very long. I just have a few questions,” Camille Jacobs said with a smile, but it was obvious she intended to come inside.

Zachary was already opening the door. “Madison always has time to talk about Manda's welfare.”

The social worker's expression softened and warmed. “I like hearing that about my clients.”

That got Madison's attention. “âClients.' You're opening a case file on me?”

“As legal guardian of Manda, it's standard procedure,” Camille explained. “The file is confidential and will be closed as soon as it's determined that Manda is being properly cared for.”

“Yes, of course,” Madison said, leading the woman back into the den. This was definitely getting out of hand. As soon as she got rid of the social worker, Zachary and the baby were next. “Please have a seat.”

“Thank you.” Camille sat on the supple, brass-nail-trimmed leather sofa, then turned toward Manda who was cuddled against Zachary. The social worker smiled. “I see the nurses were right. They said you both did very well with Manda. It's fortunate you were able to help ease her feelings of abandonment.”

“I plan to help out any way I can,” Zachary said, sitting down across from them on the Barbados chair. “I own my own construction company and, although I'm busy, I have good people working for me so I can take off if Madison needs my help.”

I won't need you to take off because I'm not keeping her,
Madison thought.

“Then you're a close friend of the family, Mr. Holman?” the social worker asked.

“I built this home for them,” he answered.

Camille folded her hands in her lap. “You'll forgive me, but that doesn't answer my question.”

Zachary pulled Manda more securely to him. “Wes and I were good friends.” His troubled gaze shifted to Madison. “I stayed with Madison at the hospital after Wes was brought in. I never left. Wes would have wanted me to do all I can to help Madison get through this, and that's what I plan to do.”

The social worker nodded. “Good friends always help.”

“Would you like some tea or coffee, Ms. Jacobs?” Madison asked, adding the social worker's name to the list of people she wanted to get rid of.

“No, thanks.” Camille picked up the colorful plastic key ring from the plush cream carpet, then glanced around room. “Your home is immaculate. Quite a feat when caring for an inquisitive nine-month-old.”

Once again Zachary jumped in. “She loses interest if she has too many toys so it makes more sense to just give her one.”

Camille kept her watchful gaze on Madison. “Do you share the same opinion?”

The woman was no pushover, Madison. thought. When dealing with the unknown it was best to answer without explanation. “Yes.”

The social workers head tilted to one side. “You'll forgive me, Ms. Reed, but I was rather surprised to learn that you had decided to seek custody of Manda from the great-aunt. According to my reports you had no prior knowledge of the child before the accident. Do you mind telling me why?”

Madison should have expected the question, should have been prepared for itâperhaps would have been if she had known what Zachary had done. As it was, she was left floundering.

“Iâ” Again she saw Wes's face, his startling announcement just before â¦ Her hand clutched her stomach.

Setting Manda on the floor, Zachary crossed the room and sat beside Madison, covering her hand with his larger one. He hated the thought of putting her through this and wished there was another way. “Ms. Jacobs, could we delay this for a few more days?”

Camille sighed softly. “I'm not heartless, but I have Manda to consider. I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I don't want Manda to be some type of publicity gimmick.”

The hurt vanished as Madison's brown eyes flared. “Another remark like that, and I'll ask you to leave, then call your supervisor.”

“I apologize,” Camille told her, unfazed by Madison's anger. “But unfortunately people often show their true feelings when caught off guard.”

Or when they have no choice, as Wes had when he confessed about Manda. “Accepted.”

Manda squealed and they all watched as she pulled herself up using the edge of the glass coffee table. She presented them with a triumphant grin that showed her two front teeth.

“Decided to join us, huh?” Leaning across the table separating them, Camille handed Manda the key ring. After a long moment, the infant took it, rapped it on a magazine a couple of times, then plopped onto her bottom to rap it against the floor. “She doesn't look like the inconsolable baby I heard about in the hospital.”

“She's loved and being well cared for,” Zachary said, watching the infant with open affection.

“Is that right, Ms. Reed?” Camille asked.

Madison's eyes narrowed. There was something in the woman's tone and in her demeanor that said it wasn't an idle question. Madison had interviewed too many people in the past not to pick up on it. “What exactly is bothering you, Ms. Jacobs?”

The social worker didn't hesitate. “In ICU you were heard to say that Manda was not your responsibility and that you wanted nothing to do with her. After learning of your guardianship, a concerned individual contacted the agency. I won't insult you by saying I know what you must have been going through after losing your husband moments earlier, but I can empathize with you. However, if you are not sure that you are absolutely committed to Manda, I'm here to take her.”

“No,” Zachary said, his hand closing tightly on Madison.

Manda whimpered. Immediately Zachary got up to sweep the baby into his arms to comfort her. The instant he did, Madison realized his mistake. She should have been the one to offer the child comfort. The social worker was smart enough to pick up on that little point. All Madison had to do was push her gently in that direction and Manda would be out of her life.

“Ms. Reed?” Camille questioned.

Madison didn't look at the social worker. Instead, as if compelled by a will greater than her own, she looked at Manda in Zachary's protective arms, quiet now, her thumb stuck in her mouth, those big hazel eyes fixed on Madison's face. Once again she saw the frightened infant in the hospital, and again remembered how she had slept in her arms. If Madison sent her away, she'd have no idea of what awaited Manda and would have no way of finding out.

While that would keep Madison from the constant reminder of Wes's deceit, it might not be the best course of action for the baby. Whatever decision she made had to be the right one because the consequences would be irreversible and far-reaching.

Madison took a deep breath and hoped she could live with the decision she was about to make. “She's in mv home because she needs me. She stays.”

“Make sure, Ms. Reed,” Camille cautioned. “You live a busy life. Manda is going to require a lot of your time. Your husband died of injuries he
received trying to save her mother. That won't be easily forgotten and has the potential of causing problems later on.”

“She stays.” Madison stood. “If there are no further questions, I have some errands to run.”

Camille came to her feet. The women were almost eye level. She handed Madison her business card. “Thank you for seeing me.”

Taking the card, Madison went to the front door and opened it. “Good-bye, Ms. Jacobs.

“Good-bye, Ms. Reed. I'll be stopping by on occasion to see how things are progressing.”

“I hope you'll call first,” Madison said pointedly.

The smile was brief. “I'll try. Good day.”

Madison watched the woman walk to a late-model Lexus and get in. Before the car pulled away, Madison closed the door. Zachary stood smiling at her. In his arms, Manda was smiling too.

“I knew you'd change your mind.”

“On the contrary. I haven't.”

The smile slipped from his ruggedly handsome face. “But you just said you were going to keep her.”

Madison brushed by him and headed for the kitchen. “That was to get rid of that too perceptive social worker.”

“Then â¦ then you don't plan to keep Manda?”

Madison kept walking.

BOOK: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

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