A Rancher's Pride(12)

They all nodded, including Ellamae.

“All right, then. I’m going to table both requests for full custody. For the moment. Until we track down the mama and look into the matter further.”

“I have someone trying to locate her,” Kayla said eagerly.

“Very helpful, I’m sure,” the judge drawled, raising his brows. “And young lady, you said you’re a teacher?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” she replied, her heart soaring.

“And you teach sign language up there in Chicago?”

“Yes! Yes, I do.” She clasped her trembling hands in front of her.

He beamed. “Well then, I ask you, what could be more perfect? You’re off for a bit now, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, I am. And it is a perfect time, Your Honor. I would have all summer with Becky in Chicago. All the time in the world to be with her and—”

Smiling, the judge raised his hand. “Not exactly what I’m setting forth this morning. Sam, the child’s here now, in your home. Let’s give it some time for the two of you to get acquainted. Six weeks, shall we say?”

Kayla nearly choked holding back her protest. The judge turned to her.

“Young lady, you’ve got all that time, you can stay here for the summer. Help take care of the child. And help her learn to get along with her daddy.” He looked from Kayla to Sam and back again. “The pair of you can make a genuine effort to show her the two most important adults in her life are in agreement. And while you’re at it, you might have a thought or two about finding some common ground.” He tapped his gavel on the desk. “I’ll award you both temporary joint custody—”

“Judge—”

“Your Honor—”

“Shh!” Eyes wide, Ellamae slapped a finger against her lips. The gesture meant the same thing in both languages spoken in the room.

“—unless,” Judge Baylor continued as if there had been no interruption, “I deem it necessary to make other arrangements.” He spoke slowly, giving ominous weight to his every word. “According to Sam, here, the mama’s ready to give up her parental rights. Seeing as that’s the case, it would not be outside the bounds of this court to place the child in a foster home until the matter is resolved.”

Kayla swallowed her moan. Beside her, Sam covered his harsh indrawn breath with a cough.

“At this very moment,” the judge went on, adding even more of a twang to his drawl, “I’m not inclined to do that. This bonding of the child with her daddy, getting to know each other…” He circled his hand in the air. “These things will take time. In the meanwhile, I feel it is in the best interests of the child to be in the care of both parties concerned.” His hand stopped in midair. His white eyebrows shot up and stayed in place. “Are we in agreement here?”

“Yes, sir,” Sam spoke up.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Kayla added hastily.

“Good. That’s settled. Ellamae, you put a notice on the calendar for another six weeks. And Sam, you give Sharleen my best regards. Let her know I’m looking for ward to a barbecue out at your place one Sunday soon.”

Sam nodded.

Judge Baylor rose.

Becky looked over at them, and he smiled and waved.

“Young lady,” he said to Kayla, “ask that little one if she knows who this man is.” He gestured to Sam.

Unwillingly, Kayla complied with the judge’s request. Using her right hand, she pointed to Sam, then touched her crooked thumb and index finger to her chin. With her left hand tucked out of sight against her side, she crossed her fingers so tightly, her arm shook. Please, please, don’t let Becky know. The child’s confusion would confirm what Kayla had tried to prove all along.

Her niece grinned, raised her open hand in the air and tapped her thumb on her forehead.

Her heart breaking, Kayla dutifully voiced what Becky had signed. “She said Daddy.”



“SAM. MISS WARD.”

Sam stopped and turned. He should’ve known he wouldn’t get away without a dressing-down from Ellamae.

Beside him, Kayla signed to Becky, who nodded and climbed onto a seat in the last row of benches. She swung her sneakered feet back and forth, the toes of the shoes almost touching the floor tiles.

Sam’s throat tightened. Already so grown-up, and he’d never even had the chance to see her as a baby.