Chapter 3

Lauren

There was absolutely nothing going on at the office, and despite telling me we had a big case to go over, Reed spent most of his time on the phone and then left for a lunch date. So, I packed up my case and went home to talk about wedding plans with Chloe, who still wasn’t convinced we’d have enough food at the reception

She sat on the living room floor with me at the coffee table, which we had covered with our planners, notebooks, and bridal magazines to make a checklist. “I think that caterer is skimping. I think they are going to be putting out tiny servings to make it stretch.” I had felt the same way, but I’d take their word for it.

“Let’s ask Ava what she thinks.” We got to our feet and went into the kitchen where Ava was standing over a soup pot and listening on the phone to someone whose voice was nearly loud enough for us to hear.

“And you’re not able to keep her local? There is nothing else you can do for her?” She turned her head and held up a finger as if to say she’d be right with me. “Okay, then do what you have to do. I’ll make the arrangements this afternoon, and I’ll come down to sign the papers.” She ended the call and tucked the phone into her apron as she turned away from the pot and gave me a weary look.

“Is everything okay, Ava?” I knew she was having some issues with her mother’s help, and being her only daughter, she was left with the responsibility of taking care of the old woman.

“It’s mother. They are going to have to move her.”

“Oh no, why is that?”

“They believe she needs a specialist, and there isn’t one in this area. I’m afraid this means I will have to give my notice, though it would only be a matter of a couple of days, I’m afraid. I have to leave and go sign to have her transported. Then they’ll need me there when she’s checked into the new facility.”

I walked forward and hugged the woman who’d been a part of Gage’s family long before I came along. “You do what you have to do, and please, allow Gage and me to pay you for the next two weeks. That will help you until you find another job, and I know he’d like to help you for all you’ve helped us. You’ve gone above and beyond your duties here, and we appreciate you, Ava.” She was a good lady and had helped Gage out with watching Ollie more times than we could count and even a few times while Gage and I needed time alone before the baby came.

“Thank you. I’ll miss it here. This is not only the best job I’ve had, but I feel like a part of the family.”

“You are. And if things change, please come back to us.”

I gave her a hug, and we were both in tears when Gage walked into the kitchen. “What’s going on?” He looked so concerned, like someone had died.

“Ava’s leaving us.”

“I’m afraid I have to go be with my mother. They are moving her, after all.” We had known this was a possibility for months now but were holding out hope.

Gage looked like someone had thrown ice water on him. “I hate to hear that, Ava. I hope your mother will be okay, and we totally understand, but we’re going to miss you. Ollie’s going to be so heartbroken.”

“I’ll miss her, too. I hope maybe one day to come back before she’s grown.” She gave a smile and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“You’ll always have a place here.” Gage gave her a hug.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she said. “I need to go and make arrangements.”

As he walked out, Gage turned to me and gave me a solemn look. “It’s a bad day.”

“I know, honey. She meant a lot to you. I hate to see her go, too.”

“Well, that, and the fact that Edna called earlier. I would have come to tell you sooner, but James had me tied up with the current project, as well as a new one. Anyway, Edna wanted to get Ollie for a few weeks and most of the summer.”

My eyes narrowed, and my lips peeled back like a feral cat’s. “I hope you told her no.”

“I did. I tried to keep it civil, but I made it clear, so she’s getting a lawyer and is going to try for grandparents’ rights.”

Now I felt like someone had thrown ice water on me, and hot lava flowed through my veins. “She’d better get a damned good one! She can’t do this!” But I knew damned well she could. “What the hell happened to her wanting to spend time in the Bahamas? I thought she’d raised her kid and didn’t want to spend her twilight years burdened with Ollie’s life.” I couldn’t believe she was really going to uproot that girl’s life for her own selfish reasons.

“I know. I told her that it needed to be up to Ollie, not her, and I know Ollie would enjoy a visit or two, but she isn’t going to want to leave us and go stay for any week-long or month-long visits.”

Chloe placed her hand on my arm. “Can she really do it? You know the law, right?”

“Well, I have worked some family law cases in which the grandparents sued for full-custody, but that was when both parents were either absent or unfit. Usually an unknown father, and a mother who has some sort of addiction or other reason that either puts the child in danger or at risk of being neglected. In this case, Ollie has a stable home with two parents and a sibling, so Edna’s chances are thin. Having said that, she’ll still put us through hell in the process all the same.”

“That’s awful. I wonder what made her change her mind after all this time.” Chloe wrapped her arms around her middle and looked just as upset as Gage and me.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it. This is the last thing we need.”

“We’ll have to talk to Ollie, honey.” I knew that was going to be tough and could see that Ollie wouldn’t take it well already. I remembered the first time I met her; she’d slapped me on the arm and ran to hide under the bed. Gage hadn’t been able to reach her or coax her out. I’d left his home to come to the cabin, but didn’t get a step inside before they both came after me. We’ve been a family since, and now, especially that we had Wade, I couldn’t see anyone tearing us apart.

Gage gave me a weary look. “Yeah, I know. I don’t know what all I should say, honestly.”

“Just tell her the truth. That she might have to go; that we don’t always get a choice in life. You know as well as I do that the truth is always best.” We’d learned that lesson after trying to hide our relationship from my brother, and me not telling Gage right away about the baby.

Gage made a grumbling sound. “It’s a bad day, indeed.”