Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I whispered. “Are you sure you want me here?”
“Yes.” He didn’t take his eyes off them, almost like he didn’t trust Rachel with his daughter.
When Paisley had been changed, Rachel picked her up and kissed her pudgy cheek. “She looks good.”
“Of course she looks good,” he snapped. “Did you think I wouldn’t take care of my own child?”
“I meant it as a compliment. I wouldn’t have left her with you if I thought you wouldn’t take care of her.”
“Thanks,” he said flatly.
“Give me a break, will you? I came here to do you a favor.”
He tilted his head. “What favor is that?”
Rachel stood a little taller. “You don’t have to keep her for the full month. I came to take her back.”
Nate moved fast. In two seconds he’d covered the ten feet between himself and Rachel and taken the baby from her arms. Rachel was so stunned she let it happen.
“No way,” Nate said, circling around the couch to stand next to me again. “If that’s what you came here for, you can forget about it. You’re not taking her out of this apartment.”
“Come on. You didn’t even want her for a week, remember?” Rachel stuck her hands on her hips.
“Well, things have changed. And I have rights.”
“Says who?” Rachel’s tone turned antagonistic. “How do you even know she’s really yours?”
My mouth fell open and I looked at Nate, expecting him to blow. But he didn’t.
“I just do,” he said calmly. “Want me to take a paternity test?”
“No.” Rachel’s shoulders slumped and she closed her eyes. “She’s yours.” A moment later she opened them, tears spilling over again. “But please let me have her back. She’s everything to me. I feel so guilty for leaving her.”
“No. After the month is up, we’ll negotiate custody. You owe me this time with her.” He paused. “Where do you live?”
Rachel wiped her eyes. “Battle Creek.”
“What’s your last name?”
“Brown.”
“Did you give her my last name or yours?”
“Mine.”
“What’s her middle name?”
“Ann.”
The authoritative way he was grilling her reminded me of a lawyer cross-examining a witness, or a detective questioning a suspect.
“I need your information and signature on the Affidavit of Parentage. Once paternity is established, I want my name on the birth certificate. And I want joint physical and legal custody.”
“Fine, we’ll work it out. But Nate, can I please hold her again?” asked Rachel. “Then I’ll go. You can have the rest of your month, and I’ll come back in two weeks. I thought you’d be glad to give her back early.”
At first I didn’t think Nate was going to give in, because he didn’t move a muscle. But then he slowly walked toward her and allowed her to take the baby from his arms. “I’ll be right down with the affidavit. You can fill out part of it now.” He went directly to the stairs and headed up into his bedroom.
Rachel and I made eye contact for one brief, uncomfortable second before she looked down at Paisley again. “So are you his girlfriend?” she asked.
I didn’t even know how to answer that question, not that it was any of her business.
“I think it’s only fair to know who he’s bringing around my child.”
“I’m Emme. I live across the hall.”
She looked up at me, eyebrows raised. “Interesting.”
My temper sparked, and I reminded myself I wouldn’t be doing Nate any favors by causing trouble with the mother of his child. It was better if everyone got along.
“I didn’t figure Nate for the type to have a girlfriend,” she said.
“I guess you don’t know him very well.”
She shrugged. “Or he’s got you fooled.”
Channeling my inner Maren, I took a few deep breaths and searched for a peaceful place within myself. There had to be one in there somewhere.
“I’ll admit, he’s taken to this whole fatherhood thing much better than I thought he would.” She looked around at all the baby gear. “I figured he’d be desperate to get rid of her by now.”
“You figured wrong. He adores her.”
Nate came down the stairs with papers in his hand. “I’ll get a pen.”
“I’ve got one,” I said, glad to be useful in any capacity that sent this woman on her way. From my purse I dug out a Devine Events pen and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He went over to the counter separating the kitchen from the living room and set the pen and papers down. “You can do it right here,” he said to Rachel. It was clear the matter was not up for discussion.
Rachel walked slowly to the counter. After reluctantly handing Paisley over to Nate, she filled out the paperwork. After a moment, she said to him, “We need a notary for the signatures.”
“I know that.” He paused. “How long are you in town? We have one at my firm. We could get it done on Monday.”