CHAPTER 8
Micah tried to remain calm,to not overreact.
But there was nothing about this situation that he liked.
Langston finished explaining the paperwork, the timeline, and the conditions. Emergency placement. Temporary custody. Court oversight within days. Nothing permanent. Nothing simple.
Then Langston looked at Naomi. “I’ll give you time to make your decision. But I need to know tonight. The social worker is on her way here now.”
When he stepped away, the hallway fell quiet again.
Micah watched Naomi’s jaw tighten. Watched her inhale, slow and deliberate, as if bracing herself against a current she’d already decided not to fight.
Then she nodded.
Just once.
“I’ll do it.” Her voice was steady, even if everything else about her looked taut. “I’ll take her. At least for now.”
“That’s . . . not easy,” he finally said.
Naomi’s mouth twitched, almost a smile, almost not. “Nothing about this is. But the Bible commands us to take careof the fatherless and the widows. That’s what I need to do. I’ve been brought to this place at this time for a reason.”
“I admire your faith.” Micah meant the words.
Not everyone would act in obedience like this.
“Where God guides, He provides.” She let out an airy laugh. “That sounds so cliché. But it’s true. I believe that.”
“As you should.” He paused. “There’s one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
He hesitated before saying, “We need to consider this could be a trap.”
She squinted. “A trap? What do you mean?”
“What if Richard is setting you up?”
“Sissy said Richard didn’t know . . .” The words died on her lips as she frowned. “But she could be lying. She’s lied before.”
“Think about it—he lets you bond with his baby, then he files for custody somehow. Suddenly you’re fighting him in court and spending money on lawyers. You’re distracted from everything else. Or worse, he waits until you love her like your own, then he tears her away. Maximum damage.”
Naomi was silent before nodding. “You’re right. That is something I need to consider. He did plant Sissy at the house, after all. There’s really no length he wouldn’t go to in order to get revenge on us.”
His gaze locked with hers. “You just need to keep your eyes wide open.”
“I will.” Naomi glanced back toward Sissy’s room, then down at her hands. “I don’t have anything ready. Supplies. Formula. A place for her to sleep.”
Before Micah could respond, a familiar woman headed down the hall toward them. Karen Watson.
The best social worker they could ask for in this situation.
Yes, where God guided He did provide.
“Karen,” Naomi murmured, relief in her voice. “I’m so glad it’s you.”
The two women hugged.
