It took the local police officer less than the two minutes to arrive. He assessed the situation as he got out of his patrol car and strolled up the sidewalk to where Drew stood holding April’s in-laws back from approaching her. “Problem here, folks?”
Drew grinned as they took a step back. Ben had that effect on people.
* * *
April stared at the man who had once been thin and weedy. The butt of many a joke between his class mates.
“He started working out at college. Impressive, isn’t he?”
“Yes, definitely. But it’s not going to solve anything, Atticus. They’ll only make trouble for you as well.” As much as she hoped Ben could sort out the issue, she had her doubts. He hadn’t had any experience with Rob’s parents. She had.
Her father-in-law spluttered and waved his fist. “This woman should be locked up. Not fit to raise them grandkids of mine.”
“Is that a fact?” Ben glanced up at April with an intense gaze, and she felt a sense of horror wash over her. The last thing she wanted to bring to the island was her problems. So much for hoping they’d be sorted before she had to inform everyone of what she’d had to deal with.
“Damn straight it is. Told the judge that too. We want to take them home and raise them right, away from this drug dealer, here.”
April’s skin prickled and she kept her gaze ahead. She wasn’t looking forward to dealing with Drew after this was over. What must he think of her now with those accusations thrown her way?
“Do you have any legal documents that say you have the right to take these children from their mother?” Ben adjusted his dark glasses.
“Well, no but we’re their rightful guardians. Rob wanted us to raise his children, said so in his will. It’s her fault he’s dead. Her and the drug dealers she was mixed up with killed our boy. Now we’re here to take the children into safe keeping.”
Ben stood his ground, staring at them through his dark glasses. “So, you don’t have any legal documents to say you have the right to take these children from their mother?”
“She’s a witch. Convinced the judge none of it was her fault but she lied, I tell you. I have his will and that states his wishes plain and simple.”
“April, is there any reason these folks should be here harassing you?”
“No.” Bile rose in her throat. The paperwork should have been here by now, but would they believe her without it?
“Okay folks. Let’s move it along.” Ben took the man’s arm. “You can either accept a lift down to the ferry with me, or I’ll gladly give you a ride to the station where you will be charged with creating a disturbance. If you choose the first offer and leave the island, nothing will happen. But, if you decide to stay and cause a nuisance, you will be charged. Do I make myself clear?”
Drew strode back up to where she stood and whispered in her ear, “What can I do to help you?”
She wanted to ask him to take her away, but she had to see this through. “Would you mind making sure the children are okay please? Maybe take them for a drive away from the house. I don’t want these people to know where they are right now and the children have seen enough.”
“Sure, if that’s what you want. I’ll take them to the beach. Give me a call when you’re ready.” Drew squeezed her arm and slipped away to do as she asked.
Chapter 9
“I’ve fixed it, Drew. They won’t bother April anymore. Ben made a few calls to the mainland and confirmed what she told him. Those people don’t have any right to take the children regardless of what they say about a will.”
“Dad, I don’t understand. What the heck happened there? They were attacking her, screaming obscenities in front of the children.” Drew took a breath. “Those poor kids were so upset. Gigi had a heck of a time settling them down, especially Leo. They weren’t happy that I took them away and they want to come home and see April, make sure she’s alright.”
He glanced down to the private strip of sand in front of his house at the children. They searched for shells with Gigi, bursts of laughter rising up from the beach. He’d done as April asked and with Gigi in tow they’d herded the children into his car and brought them around the point to his house to keep them away from the fray, leaving his father and Ben to deal with the unwanted visitors.
“Give her a little time to gather herself. Ben’s down on the wharf now making sure they leave the island, otherwise he’ll charge them.”
“What did they want, Dad? I get they were after the children, but why on Earth would they think they had any right to do that?”
“It’s a long story, Drew, and one I think you need to talk over with April.”
“Funny how she tells you everything but not me.” He sighed, hating that he sounded needy. “Sorry, that was uncalled for. You were always there for her when her own parents weren’t, so it makes sense. I just wish she would trust me to help her.”
“She will eventually. It takes time to repair a relationship. Especially one that had a marriage to someone else in between.”
“Yeah. I suppose.”
“You know what your problem is, Drew? You’re impatient. Always have been ever since you were a baby. Surprised your mother and me by coming well before your due date and you haven’t stopped leaping in since. You need to learn to sit back and let things happen in their own good time. Now, try and amuse those children until you hear from me again and you can bring them home to their mama.”
* *
