“It’s a public road, and I have?—”
“And stay away from my family.” He moved past her toward his car door.
She didn’t budge. “Family? Is that what you’re calling her and your bastard kid?”
He froze, turned slowly, and moved into her space.
She must’ve seen the fury in his expression because she took a step back.
“Pay very close attention, Lena.” His heart was thumping like a war drum. “You and I were never together. We aren’t together now, and we will never be together. You faced no consequences after you broke up my marriage. If you come after me again, if you so much as blink at Charlotte or her nanny, you will be sorry.”
He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but he hadn’t expected her to smile the way she did, to reach out as if she were going to touch him.
He retreated just in time.
“Fate can only be put off for so long, darling. I’m willing to wait.”
He’d never feared a woman, but this one had already proved dangerous—maybe not to him physically, but in every other way. She was manipulative and determined and, obviously, walking a few blocks off Reality Road.
He didn’t want to think about what lengths she’d go to fulfill her bizarre notion that they should be together, that he could ever love her.
With Lena Monroe back in the picture, Noah needed to be very careful.
Halfway to the dance studio, Noah was still brooding about Lena when his phone rang through the speakers. His brother’s name came up on the screen.
“Thanks for calling me back.” Noah worked for a neutral tone, though he’d called his brother three days before.
“Yeah, sorry.” Jasper’s words came out weary, with a touch of defensiveness. “I didn’t have service.”
“Where are you?”
“Long story. How’s Charlotte?”
“She’s doing exceptionally well, actually. Her new nanny has helped pull her out of her shell. She’s been seeing a play therapist, working through some trauma, and?—”
“What kind of trauma?”
“You’d know better than I would. I don’t know what she’s been through.”
“Doesn’t she tell the therapist?”
“She’s four, Jaz.”
“Right. Yeah.” He blew out a breath. “I’m glad she’s getting help. Thanks for doing that. And, you know…”
When his brother didn’t finish, Noah said, “I wanted to float something by you.” Anxiety pooled in his stomach. He’d prayed about adopting Charlotte that morning, and it felt so…right. He didn’t think that feeling was just his own desires telling him what he wanted to hear. He thought the Lord had given him the go-ahead to mention it to his brother.
“I’ve got two minutes. What else did you need?”
Twowholeminutes to talk to the man raising his daughter? His brother’s attitude solidified Noah’s resolve.
“Charlotte’s been calling me Daddy sometimes. I always correct her, but since I’m the one taking care of her…” He paused to give Jasper a chance to say something. To act sad or hurt or surprised or angry.
Jasper didn’t say anything.
Here goes.“I want to adopt her.”
The silence on the other end of the phone could have meant anything. Noah waited, praying his brother would see reason.
