I’m shocked at how easy the process goes. Cynthia, who is outraged to hear that Naomi left Jazz at home alone, immediately grants me temporary custody of my sister. “The case will go to juvenile court early next week,” she explains. “We’ll be in touch with you regarding those details. Sometime tomorrow, we’ll arrange for you to get the child’s clothes and whatever other belongings she might need from the home.”
“Who will notify Naomi of this development?” I ask. “And what if she tries to take her away from me?”
Detective Sinclair says, “I will personally wait at Naomi’s house until she returns tonight. Quite frankly, I’m curious what time that will be. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve spoken. If she tries to take Jazz from you, you should call the police immediately.”
“I’ll be honest with you, Miss Boor,” Cynthia says. “These situations can sometimes get ugly. Down the line, you may need to request a protection order.”
I bring myself to my full height, shifting Jazz to my opposite hip. “I understand. And I’m . . .”—I glance up at Jack who winks at me—“we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get permanent custody.”
At that instant, every remaining concern I have about marrying Jack dissipates. My doubts were never about him. I love Jack with my whole heart. He loves me, and he loves Jazz. We are a family. We will grow old together raising our children in the manor house. I will do everything in my power to make a success of the inn. But if the worst happens, with Jack’s support, I’ll figure out a new path for my career.
After the paperwork is completed, I thank the detective again and say goodnight to the social services agent. Brian walks us to the parking lot. “Billy knew this day would come. No regrets, Stella. You’re doing the right thing.”
“I should’ve done it a long time ago.” I strap Jazz into her car seat and close the back door. “Diana has documented evidence that Naomi’s been embezzling money from the reservations department. To the tune of ten thousand dollars. Needless to say, she’s no longer employed at the inn.”
Brian rakes his fingers through salt-and-pepper hair. “Naomi won’t take any of this lying down. We need to prepare ourselves for a fight.”
“Bring it on. She’s not getting Jazz back no matter what.” I thank Brian for his help and kiss his cheek in parting.
Jack follows me to the cottage, and we settle Jazz on the sofa between us. She refuses to eat dinner or talk about anything that happened today. She even rejects my offer to turn on SpongeBob. She only wants to be held, and we are happy to oblige. It’s not long before her eyelids flutter, and she drifts off to sleep.
I smile up at my fiancé. “I’m sorry, Jack. This will put a crimp in our sex life.”
“That’s the least of my concerns at the moment. Not that I won’t miss seeing your beautiful naked body in my bed.” When he leans over to kiss my lips, he squishes Jazz, making her squirm. She stretches out, pushing us farther apart.
I offer him an apologetic smile.
“Welcome to our new normal,” he says. “I’m worried about the two of you living in this tiny cottage and having to share a bed. Don’t you want to move into my house? I have enough bedrooms for the three of us to each have our own.”
“Thanks for the offer, but Jazz feels safe here, and we’re used to sharing a bed. Although we could fit a cot in the bedroom. Maybe I’ll have housekeeping bring one over tomorrow.”
“I’m hoping to have the new house finished by Christmas. Maybe by then, she’ll be ready.”
“Christmas is weeks away. A lot can happen between now and then. Let’s take things one step at a time. First, we need to get through the hearing on Monday.” I kiss my fingertips and touch them to his cheek. “I love you. Please be patient a bit longer. I promise we’ll have our happily ever after.”
“I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
We stare at each other across the sleeping child. We don’t speak. Words aren’t necessary to express the love we feel for each other and for Jazz.
Finally, he breaks the silence, “Wanna watch a movie?”
“Sure! I won’t be able to sleep until I hear from Detective Sinclair anyway.”
“You pick the movie while I put this kiddo in the bed.” Jack lifts Jazz off the sofa and carries her in his arms to the adjacent bedroom.
I find a station playing reruns of Meg Ryan movies. We watch When Harry Met Sally followed by You’ve Got Mail. We’re halfway through Sleepless in Seattle when we hear from Detective Sinclair.
“Naomi just arrived home, if you can believe that. I found Jazz at four fifteen this afternoon. To my best estimate, she’d been alone since around two o’clock. It is now nearly eleven. Which means that child would’ve been alone for nearly nine hours.”
Tears prick my eyelids. “Do you know if Naomi has been drinking?”
“I assume so. She arrived home in an Uber. Why?”
“With all the confusion at the station, I failed to mention she’s a recovering alcoholic.” While I hate that Naomi’s drinking again, it makes my case stronger.
“I’m adding that to my report now. I’ll make certain social services has my report first thing in the morning. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble from Naomi tonight. But call nine-one-one immediately if you do.”
“You’ve gone above and beyond on this case, Detective. Thank you.”
Within minutes of me hanging up with Sinclair, I receive a text from Naomi: You won’t get away with this,
