The Bad Son

“Beau, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need your help.”

He inhaled deeply. “What is it, Macy?”

“Delia has left the hospital during the night without the baby. CPS has been called and they’re on the way. I need a lawyer to gain temporary custody of Zoë. Please help me.”

“I’m on the way.” Even though he should have hesitated, he didn’t.

Delia was gone. That was sooner than Beau had expected. She’d definitely had a plan when she came to Macy. Macy would love that baby with everything in her. But what was going to happen when Delia wanted the baby back?

He clicked off thinking that some things never change. He’d make sure Macy had custody of Zoë. Macy’d ripped his heart out and stomped on it and still he was there for her. And probably always would be. That’s what real love was all about. Why couldn’t Macy see that?

He knew her well enough to know that she was hiding something—something about her marriage. How did he get her to talk to him? Poking out a number, he realized he was already breaking rule number one. But not thinking or worrying about Macy wasn’t going to be an option. Maybe the next rule should be to admit that and go from there.

Liz answered her phone.

“Morning, Liz. I need you in the office in about an hour.”

“Beau McCain, it’s Saturday and I was planning on going to a movie.”

“Sorry, Liz. It’s important. I could do it myself, but you know how you hate me messing with your filing system.”

She sighed. “I’ll be there.”

Beau made his way into the hospital and found Macy pacing in front of the nursery. Her hair was loose and disheveled, as if she’d been running her hands through it. Delia had just dealt her another blow. Macy’s arms were folded around her waist as if to ward off the pain.

His gut twisted at the sight and he walked closer to her.

“Beau,” she said in a breathless tone. “Thank you for coming.”

Before he could respond, a voice said from behind him, “Beau McCain, are you working on a Saturday?”

He turned toward the voice. “Morning, Joanne. Seems you’re working, too.”

“I’d introduce you, but evidently you know each other,” Macy said.

“Oh, yes. Beau and I have worked a lot of cases,” Joanne replied. “So you’re Ms. Randall’s attorney?” She didn’t give him time to answer. “You know the rules as well as I do. Once a baby is abandoned, she becomes a ward of the state and put into foster care until a stable home can be found.”

“You also know that there are always extenuating circumstances. Macy Randall is the baby’s aunt and wants to care for her. I’ll have the papers in your hands by the end of the day, appointing Ms. Randall the child’s legal guardian.”

“Not only handsome, but a miracle worker, too?”

Beau grinned at the harmless flirting. He’d known Joanne a long time. They understood each other and they both worked for the good of the child. “Face it, Joanne. This baby is better off with Ms. Randall.”

“The sister did leave a note to that effect.” She shifted the pile of papers in her arms to show him the note. “But I need more than a note. I need an order signed by a judge.”

“You’ll have it.”

“The baby has health problems and I’ll have to have something sooner than this afternoon.”

“That’s almost impossible.”

She shrugged. “My job is to look after the welfare of the baby. Sorry, Beau.”

Beau looked into Macy’s worried eyes and he knew he had to pull out all the stops. “May I have a copy of the note?”

“Give me a minute.” Joanne shifted the papers again and walked into an office.

“You think you can get something done today?” Macy asked, her voice anxious.

“I’ll try, but Zoë’s not going anywhere for a few days. That’ll give me plenty of time. It’ll just be a lot more paperwork and I’d rather get it done now.”

“Me, too.” Macy glanced toward Zoë.

Joanne came back and handed him a copy. “You have two hours. That’s all I can give you.”

Beau strolled away with the note in his hand. He needed a miracle. In his truck, he called Liz.

“See if you can locate Judge Brampton. I’m on the way to the office.” Judge Roland Brampton was known for his fairness and being a diligent advocate for children’s rights. If Beau had a chance of getting the guardianship paperwork done today, it would be with Roland.

“He’s going to love being bothered on a Saturday.”

“Just do it, Liz.”

As he arrived at his outer office, Liz was on the phone. In a minute she followed him into his office.

“The judge’s wife said he’s playing golf this morning.” She laid a piece of paper on his desk. “That’s his cell if you have nerve enough to call him.”

“Did his wife give you his cell number?”

“Of course not.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Remember the Dobbins case?”

“Sure.”

“The judge’s daughter was having a baby and he gave me his cell to call when I had the papers ready for him to sign. I jotted it down for future reference.”

“You’re a marvel.” He picked up a pad and handed it to her. “We’re going to file a motion for temporary guardianship with these names on the document.”

Liz stared at the names. “Macy…”

“I don’t have time to explain. Just get the paperwork done.”

She gave him an indignant glance and walked out.

Without a second thought he poked out the judge’s number. He’d been on the receiving end of a judge’s ire before and this was probably not going to be an exception. It rang several times before he heard the judge’s voice.

“McCain, this had better be important.” Obviously he’d looked at the caller number before answering.

“It is, judge.” He told him about Macy, Zoë and Delia’s disappearance.