The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(96)

“When did Sam eat last?”

“He had a bottle a couple hours ago,” she said.

“How long ago since he was changed?” Sierra asked.

“He hasn’t been starved or neglected but after yesterday I was in too much pain to pick him up, so I changed him in the crib, gave him a bottle in the crib and that’s the best I could do today. That damn Sandy! I should’ve known! Those people were always irresponsible!”

“So he hasn’t been held? Since yesterday?”

“But he was taken care of!” she said. “Just go and leave me alone.”

Sierra stepped outside the house and took a deep breath of fresh air. Sam wrapped himself around her like a little monkey. She walked up and down the sidewalk between her car and the front door and just hummed to him. And cried.

She called Connie. “Oh, Connie, I’m in Fairplay at the Jergens house. I have Sam. She told me to just take him!” Then she explained what she had found and that Cal was on his way. “I’ll call you when I’m on my way home and you can meet us.”

It was almost thirty minutes before Cal pulled up but right behind him was Jeanne Blasette. Cal went to Sierra immediately, pulling her and Sam into his arms. “I talked to her lawyer,” Cal said. “The adoption process hasn’t been stopped but he recommended she sign a short statement saying she turned the baby over to you. Jeanne and I will witness it.”

“Are you all right, Sierra?” Jeanne asked.

“Not really,” Sierra said. “Can I take him home?”

“Give me one second,” Jeanne said. She nearly ran up the walk to the front door and opened it. She didn’t even go inside but just talked to Mrs. Jergens. Then she was back. “I’d like you to take Sam to the doctor. I’m sure he’s fine, but just to take precautions, have him looked over. Your brother and I will finish this business together. It will be all right.”

“But she still has every right to call it all off,” Sierra said.

“We’re just going to take this one day at a time,” Jeanne said. “I think I can honestly say that everyone involved wants Sam to be in your safe and loving home.” Then she leaned close and said, “Mrs. Jergens can’t do it. She wants to and can’t. Treat her with mercy. But take Sam and go now.”

Cal nodded in agreement.

*

Connie was waiting for her when she arrived at the urgent care office with Sam. Dr. Culver, all calm and beautiful, took them all right back to an exam room, but Sierra was not letting go of the baby, her son.

“Tell me what happened,” Dr. Culver asked, while slowly and gently pulling Sam to her. He whimpered at being parted from Sierra, but she stayed close while she described what she had found. While Sierra talked, Dr. Culver took off Sam’s shirt, listened to his heart, his chest, looked in his mouth and his ears.

“He’s all right, Sierra,” she said. “He’s a little upset. Let me get you a dry diaper.” She opened the exam room door and spoke to someone and a disposable diaper appeared. “Is that two wet diapers in the last hour?” she asked.

“He was soaked when I got there.”

“He’s certainly not dehydrated,” she said with a small laugh. “Keep putting this cream on him until the rash is gone.” Dr. Culver flipped that wet diaper off and the clean one on like an old pro. “You’re going to be fine, aren’t you, Sam. You want your mommy.”

Sierra reached for him, but the second he was secure in her arms, he reached for Connie.

“He’s kind of stinky,” Sierra said.

“He needs a bath,” Connie said.

“And clean clothes.”

“Did you bring anything out of there?” Connie asked.

“It was so messy and dirty I didn’t want anything.”

“Good,” Connie said. “We start fresh.”

“He’s got a sad look in his eyes,” Sierra said. “I think he was left to cry.”

“Take him home,” Dr. Culver said. “Clean him up and hold him. When he smells your house and his sheets and is back in familiar territory, he’ll be his old self.”

Sierra told Connie she wanted a quiet day, just the three of them. Texts kept coming in, asking if everyone was all right. They tried to hold off on visitors but it was impossible. First it was Maggie and Elizabeth, then Cal came over to check on them, then Rafe and Lisa, then Sully. In no time at all Sam was laughing and playing and being licked by Molly over and over, like she was checking to make sure he was all right.

The only one not present was Dakota, who Cal reported had left town suddenly. On a mission.

*

Dakota was able to get on the campus, no problem. He even located a campus map; it just wouldn’t tell him where Sid was. He texted her. What building are you working in?

Why?

I’m here, but I don’t know where you are.

You’re here?

I’m stalking you. Can you give me ten minutes?

She gave him the building number and name of the building and told him he should just park in front—she’d come down to meet him. Once he got there, he could see why. There was limited parking and entry required an ID badge. Upon closer inspection of the large glass-and-steel front doors, there was a keypad and key slide for entry there, as well.