I pull in a breath, my heart beating faster. “You’ve been watching me?” I feel angry and scared. Whispers is quiet in the early hours, Griffin driving me and Tommy every day, staying until Melissa gets here and the bakery opens before leaving us to it.
“We have been keeping an eye on the baby, and I have all the formula at home ready to go. Now give me the baby.” Eden steps forward like she has any right to.
“Should I call Griffin?” Melissa looks at me, unsure. She tentatively takes small steps toward the kitchen, and I thank God she’s here, so at least we’re equal numbers against them.
“There’s no need. He’s not family. He’s not required, and this has nothing to do with him,” my sister says, and my anger rises.
“He is family,” I state clearly.
“Faith, you’re being ridiculous.” My mother takes a purposeful stride toward me, toward the kitchen, and I step forward to meet her. Her use of my real name has me on edge. I feel so far removed from that girl now. She halts, apparently surprised that I would stop her.
“Get out,” I grit out, on the verge of tears.
“You’re clearly unstable. Look at you standing in front of Mom like that.” Eden tries to slide past me, and I see what they’re trying to do. Trying to manipulate me with words, which is what usually would work on me. But not anymore. Simultaneously trying to move past me to get to Tommy.
“If you don’t leave, I’ll call the sheriff and have you removed and charged with trespassing.”
They both stop and look at me in disbelief. “Oh, now I know you’re mentally incapable. That baby needs to come with us. You’re not suitable to be a mother,” my own mother says as she pushes past me. I reach out to grab her arm, to pull her back, but as I do, Eden runs past me and into the kitchen.
“No!” I yell, letting go of Mom and rushing after my sister.
I see Eden looking wide-eyed at Melissa, who holds Tommy close to her chest and is backstepping slowly, away from her and toward the back door.
“I don’t know who you are, or why you’re here, but this is not your baby,” Melissa says forcefully, and I couldn’t be more grateful that she’s here.
“Give me my baby! If I need Douglas to come back here, I will!” Eden’s shrieks fill the bakery, and I’m relieved it’s the afternoon slump and no customers are here. This would ruin my reputation, for sure.
I push past them and stand in front of Melissa. Tommy’s looking at her in wonder, having no idea of the storm brewing around him.
“You both need to leave. If not, I’ll call the sheriff,” I threaten again. I don’t want to. What daughter would ever want to call the police on their own mother? I’ve moved out of that community. I’ve started my own business, not needing their support or their money. I’ve built my own group of friends and have a new community here that I love. And I have Griffin. The man who stands by me every day when he could be anywhere doing anything else but. Why can’t they leave me alone?
“I pray for your soul…” My mother’s loose warning lingers before she snatches Eden's wrist and pulls her out of my kitchen. I follow them, ensuring they walk out of the bakery and that the door closes firmly behind them. I stand at the door, looking out the window, watching them get into a truck I don’t recognize, and I don’t move until the truck is gone.
“Are you alright?” Melissa asks, and I whip around, seeing her still holding my son. I rush over, needing him in my arms.
“I’m sorry. It’s extremely unprofessional… They were my family…” I swallow down the hard lump that’s formed. My hands are shaking, my heart pounding in my ears.
Melissa’s visibly worried and upset. “I think we need to speak to the sheriff…” she says. I probably should. It’s all getting frightening and well out of hand.
“Why do we need the sheriff?” Griffin's voice comes from the back, and I see him step through the kitchen to the front of the bakery, looking at Melissa’s concerned face. His eyes take in Tommy’s content grin next, and then he looks at me, and his frown deepens.
“What happened?” He steps toward me, his arms circling my waist, pulling me and Tommy to him tightly.
“My sister came back with my mom…” I whisper, feeling helpless.
“They tried to take the baby. They called her Faith,” Melissa informs him before looking at me questioningly.
“Faith is my first name. I go by Savannah now, which is my middle name,” I explain quickly.
“I’m calling the sheriff. This stops now.” He pulls out his cell and makes a call. And I don’t stop him. Maybe that makes me a bad daughter. A horrible sister. But I hope that means I’m a good mom.
Because Tommy needs to be protected. Damn the consequences.
38
Griffin
We closed the bakery for the afternoon, and the sheriff has been here for the better part of an hour, talking to Savannah and taking a statement from Melissa while Tommy and I stand guard, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
