“What is it?” Cooper asked, tearing into the envelope. He pulled out a document. “Termination of Parental Rights” was scrolled across the top. “I’m not signing this.”
Ian crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head. “She said you’d say that.”
“I’m going to give her and her child a life filled with love and honor in Scotland, which is more than you’re willing to offer. Sign the document.”
Cooper tore the document in half and tossed it at Ian’s feet. “I’m not signing that.”
Ian’s lips twitched. “She said you’d do that too.”
It was a case of déjà vu. Hadn’t he used those exact words on her the first time he’d entered Cara’s office?
“I’m no’ telling you where she is.” Ian raised a brow in challenge.
“No need,” Coop said. After grabbing his jacket, wallet, and his passport, he headed for the door.
Chapter Sixteen
Quinn stood,by the edge of the cliffs, with her cell phone pressed against her ear.
“The package was delivered,” Ian said across the line. “He refused and is on his way. He’ll be about twelve hours behind the others. How’s the little momma?”
“Ian, she’s six weeks. She’s fine except a little morning sickness.”
“Aye.” Ian’s Scottish drawl was thick. “I’ll be staying a wee bit. Let me know if there’s anything else I need to do.”
“Thanks for your help, Ian. Cara isn’t going to be happy, but she’ll get over it.”
“Tell her my offer still stands. I’ll raise the bairn and marry her.”
Quinn rolled her eyes. Cara had refused the first five times Ian had asked. She wasn’t about to change her mind. “What are you running from, McDougall, that you’d marry a woman you don’t love?”
“A McDougall never runs, Lady Menzie. Call me if you need me.”
“Aye,” Quinn answered back. She had a million things to do and a short time to get them done.
Six hours later, Quinn stood in the study with her mother, her aunt Betty, and all of her sisters except Cara. She’d been resting late into the afternoon.
“I have to admit. You guys screwed up pretty darn bad. One might even say that this one screw-up trumps all of mine.”
“Quinn, just tell me where she is,” her mom said, sitting on the couch, her hands clenched together. “She won’t return any of our calls, and I need to know she’s okay.”
“You should have thought about that, Mom.” Quinn clasped her hands together. “You each have single-handedly destroyed her trust. She thought she was helping save her sister.” Quinn stared at Becca. “Instead, she’s been manipulated by the lot of you. She’s been humiliated by finding out Cooper knew about her, and the visions, yet didn’t want anything to do with her.” Quinn’s gaze turned to Aunt Betty. “She almost died. I can’t say I reallyblame her for shutting you all out.” Quinn lifted her hand to her chest. “I, on the other hand, am the good sister. I wasn’t involved. I’m just cleaning up the mess.”
Quinn chuckled. The words felt foreign on her tongue. “I’ve talked her off the ledge. I’ve eased her worries, and convinced her that you guys didn’t deliberately set out to hurt her. That your lies came from a place of love.”
“Yeah, that’s you.” Harper leaned back and crossed her legs. “All love and light. Tell me she saw right through that.”
Quinn dropped her hands to her sides. “It comes down to this. She needs us. All of us, especially now. So each of you better find the right words to fix things, or you’ll never see your grandchild or her.” Quinn pointed at her mother. “Or your niece or nephew.” She glared at her sisters. “Cara is six weeks pregnant, so you ladies better fix things, and fix things fast.”
Her mom clutched her hand over her heart. “My baby is going to have a baby?” Hope poured from her words, and there was a light in her eyes.
“Oh my God. This should be the happiest time of her life.” Becca cupped her face and cried. “We ruined it for her.”
“We can make things right.” Harper stroked Becca’s back. “We will.”
“I love her. We all do, and it’s time she felt it. Cara is hormonal and having morning sickness, and there aren’t enough brownies in all the land to mend her broken heart.”
“You just did,” Cara said from the doorway as a tear slid down her cheek.
