Ida Jane made the signal to Blade to be alert to threats. The dog settled against her chair, a deep rumble echoing through the air.
“I’ll set these in the oven to stay warm,” Loreen said, moving to pick up my plate.
“I’ll help,” I said. That seemed polite but also because I would not be able to stomach a bite with Maurice in my house.
“Aren’t you a doll,” Loreen said, beaming, patting my cheek. “Well, then, we’ll just sit here and enjoy the show.”
I shot Ida Jane a questioning look, but she winked. She continued to pet Blade, who’d settled against her leg with his ears cocked forward, his eyes tracking Maurice. Good dog.
“He knows a coyote in hen’s feathers when he saw one,” Loreen muttered next to me as we retook our seats. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I got that Loreen wasn’t happy with Maurice’s visit.
“Look at this beauty! My daughter’s lovely, isn’t she?” Jacob paused and Maurice made a noncommittal sound. The officers looked confused but trailed behind Jacob and Maurice. I clenched my fists but kept my butt in my seat.
“You have any kids, Maurice?” Jacob asked.
“No, Mr. Barlow, I don’t.”
Because no one wanted him.
I must have said that aloud because Ida Jane squeezed my thigh. I took a deep drink of the iced tea Loreen had made, pleased by the depth of flavor. She’d made it athlete-acceptable—her words—just like she did for Amos. Whatever she put in it, it was tasty.
“Shame. Kids add such dimension to our lives. Take Ida Jane there. She’s our baby. She’s got a master’s degree in social work and helps kids work through their trauma. Maxim here goes to the office whenever he’s in town. You know, he’s showing those kids how a real man treats a woman and children—with dignity and respect. Be a right shame to lose someone so giving to the community, but you already know that.”
“I assure you that I’m impartial when it comes to cases,” Maurice said with a sniff.
“Impartial my right butt cheek,” Loreen muttered into her hand before she shot me a wink.
I choked off a shocked laugh. So maybe Ida Jane’s parents were more willing to accept me than I’d thought. Warmth spread through me at the thought of having a family—arealone.
Yet another reason I wanted to keep Ida Jane forever.
“Good to know. Seeing as how you get to make such important decisions.”
Maurice puffed out his chest. Blade snorted. Probably unrelated to Maurice, but still made Ida Jane, her mother, and me cover our mouths to keep from laughing. Ida Jane’s eyes danced.
“Nothing more important than the ability to break up a family.” Jacob’s voice took on a hard edge. “That’s why I’d like your business card. Good to know important people like yourself, especially with my daughter married to a non-U.S. citizen. In case I need to contact you.”
“Of course, of course.” Maurice fumbled in his pocket but pulled out a crumpled card. Jacob slid it between two of his fingers.
“Exactly,” Maurice said. He glanced at us sitting at the table and leaned in closer to Jacob. “We have to make sure we only let the good ones stay.”
Jacob’s smile stiffened but he remained hearty.
“Too right. Well, I guess you have things to do. Must want to take a load off after such a long day, and I want to spend more time with my baby girl. Nice to meet you. Officers. Here’s the door.”
I’d barely risen from my chair before Jacob had hustled Maurice Lambert outside. Jacob slid the deadbolt in place and shuddered.
“That man’s got a burr up his butt and wants you to scratch it.”
I didn’t know the idiom, but I understood the meaning. I nodded. “That’s what Coach Whittaker and my lawyer have said, too.”
“But what little ol’ Maurice doesn’t know is that I’m a lawyer, too.” Jacob’s eyes twinkled. “And I spent a few years working immigration at the border.” He twirled the card between his fingers. “This here is gonna make your life much easier.”
“I didn’t know you were an attorney,” I said.
“Looked over that prenup Ida Jane signed. Very generous of you, son. Mighty generous.” He slapped my shoulder. “Doesn’t mean I ever want her to use it, hear?” His voice and eyes took a hard edge.
“I don’t either,” I replied.
