Addison picked up the pen. “I didn’t want that kid. He knew that.”
“And once you sign, it’ll be a done deal. You can get on with your life. Twenty thousand in the bank. Win-win.”
Addison hesitated one more second. Then she pressed the pen to the paper and signed her name on the line indicated. Her eyes narrowed. She pushed the pen and papers back toward Angelo and quickly grabbed the check. “We’re done? That’s it?”
Angelo picked up the paperwork, presumably to be sure she’d signed it properly. It momentarily blocked the lens, then he was folding it. “We’re done. The money’s all yours.”
She stuffed the check in her purse and left like she couldn’t go fast enough.
The video feed ended. Mitch exhaled and looked at Angelo. “You didn’t even have to use the other checks.”
He shook his head. “You saw. She never even tried to negotiate. I figured with her kinda debt, putting that check in front of her was all the incentive she’d need. I have a sense for these things.” He patted the envelope next to the laptop. “The custody agreement, the extra checks, and the memory stick with the videos are all in here. Anything else I can do for you, my friend?”
Mitch’s pulse returned to normal. He took another sip of his beer. It was over. No one was going to take Ruthie from them.And all Addison had thought his granddaughter was worth was twenty thousand dollars. She didn’t deserve the child. “No. We’re good. I’m good. Thank you.”
“Thankyoufor the business. Anytime you need me, you know how to get ahold of me.”
Mitch nodded, took one last swig from the bottle, then picked up the envelope. “I do. Enjoy the rest of your visit.”
“I plan on it.”
Mitch glanced at Lucas. “Thanks. Talk to you soon.”
Lucas lifted his hand.
Mitch saw himself out. He was happy, of course, but also oddly numb. He sat behind the wheel of the golf cart, thinking, as he started it up. Ruthie was Kyle’s. Completely.
He drove home, the knowledge of that settling over him. The strangest aspect of it all was how a small part of him felt sorry for Addison.
Did she care at all? Would the day come when she’d regret what she’d done? When she’d want to see Ruthie? And what would they tell Ruthie when she eventually asked about her mother? A version of the truth, obviously.
But he hoped she never had to learn that her mother had given her up for a measly twenty grand. He prayed there was never a reason for her to see that video. And that there was never a reason that he or Kyle would have to use it.
The whole business was sad and heartbreaking in a way Mitch couldn’t quantify. It wasn’t as if he’d hoped Kyle and Addison would work things out and be a happy family with Ruthie. He’d gotten what he wanted.
But that strange melancholy remained.
He parked in the garage and took the envelope with him upstairs. He put it on his desk in his office, then went into Ruthie’s room. She was asleep, at least for a couple more hours.He sat in the rocking chair they’d recently added, and just watched her through the bars of the crib.
She was home. And always would be, at least until Kyle decided he wanted to live somewhere else. Mitch hoped that didn’t happen for a long time. He’d be just fine if they never left.
As for Addison…the decision was hers to live with, but the paperwork was signed.
Would he have felt better if she’d pushed for more money? Probably. But that wasn’t on him. His solitary focus had been to protect Ruthie. To provide the best possible life for her.
And that was exactly what he was going to continue to do.
Chapter Forty
Harper rolled out of bed with a surprising amount of energy. She’d slept well. Soundly, without too many crazy dreams, which often left her feeling tired. That kind of deep sleep wasn’t something that always happened, so she was happy about it.
She was also happy about getting Mitch to agree to read at the library fundraiser. They’d discussed it after they’d gotten off the boat. She planned to email the library today to let them know.
But first, she needed to get outside. She went to the doors and pulled back the sheers to let the light in. The sun had only just risen. Archie stared up at her from his bed, Mr. Brown tucked under his chin, and seemed to be wondering why she was so bright and cheery.
She crouched down to cup his face in her hands and kiss his nose. “Come on, baby dog. How about we go out for a nice walk this morning? Wear you out a bit?”
His only response was a big yawn.
