CHAPTER16
Nick wishedhe could turn the truck around and sweep Gillian back into his passenger seat. He shouldn’t have let her go, not in the state of mind she was in. With her husband out of jail, she was terrified, and he feared she wouldn’t be home when he returned with Bailey.
He quickly called her mother’s cell.
“Hello,” she answered on the first ring.
“Hi, Mary, this is Nick. Are you at home?” He held out hope, but he hadn’t seen her car at the house.
“No, I’m at the church. Why, what’s going on?”
He hesitated a split second. Gillian was private; she still hadn’t told him everything that had happened between her and her husband, and he didn’t know how much she’d confided to her family. But if he was spilling secrets, he’d face the consequences.
“I’m worried about Gillian. On our way to your house, Gillian’s husband called. Apparently, he’s out of jail, and he wanted her to pick him up.”
“Jail?”
“Yes. He’s in some trouble. Gillian seemed really upset by his call. I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t.” He took a deep breath, realizing how desperate he sounded. “I have to go to the hospital to pick up Bailey; otherwise, I never would have left her.”
“Of course, you have to go pick up your baby. I can’t wait to see her.”
She wasn’t understanding. “Gillian’s alone at the house, and I’m really worried about her.”
“All right. I’ll go home and check on her. Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Now go get your baby.”
“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure she understood the magnitude of the situation but didn’t know what else he could say to get through to her. He didn’t understand it himself. He disconnected the line and hoped her mother would get there before Gillian did anything rash.Before she ranand left him again.
A few minutes later, he pulled into the hospital parking lot. He saw the Reaves’ Mercedes parked closest to the door and shook his head. He wasn’t surprised. They would do anything they could to take Bailey. He looked at the clock on his dash as he parked—3:20. This wasn’t good.
He bolted through the parking lot, in the front doors, and across the lobby, ignoring the frown of the greeter behind the desk. “Sorry,” he yelled, then stabbed the elevator button for the maternity ward. Once inside, he bounced in place, taking several deep breaths until the door opened. He walked purposefully to the nursery.
Belinda Reaves was standing in the hall, holding Bailey, smiling down at her, and making little cooing noises.
“Mike,” he greeted. “Belinda.”
“You’re late,” Belinda said without looking at him.
“Unavoidable. Thank you for being here. I appreciate it.” He decided to try a different tactic with them. They were Bailey’s grandparents. It would be nice if they could start acting like a family instead of enemies.
They didn’t respond.
“Mr. Carr. If you could join me at the desk, I have some paperwork for you to sign,” Nurse Tanya asked. Relief filled him as he saw she was the nurse on duty.
He looked at Belinda for a long moment, wanting to take Bailey from her, but nodded and followed Tanya instead. As he was signing the paperwork, the Reaves’ lawyer arrived, approached them, and introduced himself.
“Since Mr. Carr was late picking up the Reaves’ grandchild, I’ve filed an emergency injunction for them to take the child home with them until the custody can be decided in court.”
Nick’s heart clenched.
Tanya frowned. “Mr. Carr is here. He’s already signed all the paperwork.”
“I understand—”
This couldn’t be happening. Nick’s heart sunk as he saw the gleam of triumph in Belinda’s eyes. She was holding Bailey to her chest like she’d never let him have her.
“Were you granted the injunction?” Tanya interrupted the lawyer.
“We’re still waiting.”