“Can I talk to you in private?” She addressed Sue and Kami, but discreetly pointed to the girls.
Kami looked at Sue, then the officers. “Will you men watch Mercy and Skye while we speak with Miss Rachel?”
All three officers nodded.
“We’ll talk in my office.” Rachel led them back to where she’d come from. Aaron stayed with the men. She offered the ladies a seat, then sat behind her desk. “How is Luna? Carl was too upset to tell me much.”
Sue gulped. “She’s beat up pretty rough but should fully recover in a few weeks. I expect she’ll be in the hospital for two days, at least.”
“Where’s Manny?”
“Jail.” A tightlipped, bittersweet smile appeared on Kami’s mouth. “He’s facing a long sentence after breaking parole on top of the charges for tonight. No judge will give him freedom anytime soon.”
“That’s a relief.” She reached in her desk for a mint, more out of nervous energy than to freshen her breath. “Carl said you want to take the girls?”
“Luna can’t care for them while she’s in the hospital.” Sue frowned. “There’s no family we know of who can take them in.”
“Can’t they stay here?”
“They have to be with a licensed foster parent.” Kami offered a sympathetic sigh. “I know it’s not easy, but this is what’s best for them.”
“What’s best?” Her voice screeched. “They saw their mom beat on by their father, then you’re going to rip them from the home they’ve come to know? Think what this will do to Luna.”
Sue took her outburst in stride. “Our hands are tied, Rachel. You know I will always keep the parent and child together when possible, but it’s not this time. This is only temporary until Luna recovers.”
Panic clawed at her emotions. She couldn’t uproot those two girls who’d only now settled into a routine. “What if I had a licensed foster parent stay here?”
Kami shook her head. “That’s not-”
Sue cut off Kami, and her expression showed intrigue. “What are those wheels in your head thinking?”
“Tiffany Endicott is my daycare manager. She took all the classes, and I believe she received her final certification last month.”
“I know Tiffany.” Sue edged forward on the chair. “I helped her with the approval. We had to jump a few hurdles because of her past, but she’s proof that people can change for the better.”
“So she can have them until Luna is out?”
“Hold on.” Sue held out her hand simulating a foot pressing a brake pedal. “I’ll need to verify a few credentials, and she’ll have to agree to take them on. I’ll also have to call my supervisor for authorization since the girls won’t be in a traditional home.”
Hope sprung, and Rachel smiled. After all, this was Hope House. “I’ll call Tiffany now.”
She called from her office phone in front of Sue and Kami. In the interest of full disclosure, she wanted the entire conversation heard from all parties.
Tiffany answered on the fourth ring. “I almost missed your call. The carnival is louder than ever.”
“Is there somewhere quiet you could go?”
“What’s going on?” Tiffany’s tone immediately changed.
Rachel filled her in on everything that happened with Luna, and she presented her with the idea for keeping the girls at the shelter.
Tiffany agreed without hesitation. “I’m always at the shelter anyway. If I can help Luna by staying and watching the girls, how could I say no?”
She gave Sue and Kami the thumbs up sign. “Could you come to the shelter now so we can do the paperwork?”
“My car is at the shelter.” She groaned. “I came on the van with the others.”
“I can send Aaron to get you. Would you mind?” She volunteered his services without asking him, knowing his character and that he’d gladly assist.
