Letting Go (Healing Hearts) (18 page)

They laughed until Diane clutched at her side. Her hilarity quickly turned to tears.

“That’s enough.” She reached over, grabbing Dave’s arm to steady her legs.

The muscled arm she clutched tensed. She looked up to meet his gaze, and the pained expression on his face made her heart clench.

“What if she’s right?” he said. “What if she wins?”

Chapter 15

“T
hank you for watching Joey today,” Dave told Katia when he dropped Joey off at her house. “It means a lot to me that you’re so willing to help in a pinch, especially since your wedding is this weekend. Joey’s afraid for me to leave him with just anyone because of all the stress the State has put him through with these visits.”

“I told you I’d help you anytime, and I meant it. Now you go meet with Diane to get prepared for your hearing. This whole nightmare could end today if the court agrees with you.”

“That’s what I’m hoping and praying for—that Joey is going to stay with me. I refuse to let him go to that woman who calls herself his mother, yet cares nothing about how all of this has affected him.”

“I hurt for you, Dave. I do. Ken and I will be praying.”

“Thanks. You’re a doll.” He gave her a hug and waved at Joey. “Bye-bye, Joey. Daddy will be back before dinner. You listen to Miss K now.”

“ ’Tay, Daddy. I be good.” Joey toddled after Katia’s son.

Dave got in the car, turned the key, and pressed his foot on the gas pedal. He raked his hair with his left hand and sucked air. He didn’t want to cry, but his throat clogged.

Lord, I know I haven’t trusted You nearly enough during this whole mess. I want to fix this for Joey myself. I can’t relax, I can’t sleep, and I can’t even think anymore. I place Joey in Your hands. He’s Your child, God, and I know You know what’s best for him. Watch over him, Father. Please.

As Dave parked the car, peace washed over him, and suddenly he knew in his heart everything would be okay. He didn’t know what recommendations would come from today’s hearing, but he believed God had full control.

Climbing the courthouse steps two at a time, Dave practically flew into the building. After passing through security, he craned his neck and scanned the crowded corridor for Diane, wondering how he’d gotten so lucky to have her on his side. After a moment, he saw her a short distance away, talking to a man in a business suit.

She looked stunning in her navy blue suit. With her long legs and perfect figure, she stood out from the rest of the women in the courthouse. She didn’t see him, so he admired her while he waited. She moved her hands gracefully as she spoke and several times flipped her silky blonde locks back out of her face.

Turning her head, she met his gaze and flashed him a bright smile. His heart did a little flip and his pulse roared through his veins. He returned her smile with the most charming one he could muster. Pleasing her made him forget everything else for a moment. When he looked at her he felt so alive. And that scared him to death.

He approached her with outward calmness. She had been on his mind a lot since he had kissed her. He couldn’t figure out what caused his stomach to churn more, the upcoming court proceeding, or her devastating smile. It had to be her smile because he’d released Joey to the Lord.

He touched her arm. “Are we ready?”

She turned to him, her stunning grin broadening. Her companion eyed Dave as if he didn’t appreciate having her attention pulled away from their conversation.

“Just about. What do you say we secure a private room to go over a few important points before we head into the courtroom, okay?” She winked at him, then turned to the man in the suit. “Bye, George.”

Dave’s heart pounded. The words
private room
stuck in his mind like glue. It didn’t help that his eyes kept wanting to travel down and fix on the hint of cleavage just visible at the neckline of her silky blouse.

He berated himself for digressing. He needed to get his mind off the woman and onto the court hearing. Joey needed him. Diane didn’t.

“Sure, let’s go.”

Dave followed her with his hands stuffed into his pockets. Lagging behind, he admired the feminine sway of her hips and fantasized about putting his arms around her slender waist and . . .

She turned and smiled at him, amusement in her eyes. His neck warmed. Could she read his mind? He hoped not.

She reached for the door of the consultation room and slipped inside, waving for him to follow her. Located right outside one of the judge’s chambers, the room provided the privacy they both needed to collect their thoughts. And Dave definitely needed to change the direction of his.

She pulled a file out of her leather briefcase. “Here is the outline of the points I intend to make today. Do you see anything missing that you want me to add or something you want to make sure the court considers?”

He reviewed the list and grinned. She’d thought of everything.

“No, this is very thorough. I’m impressed with what you’ve prepared.”

He caught her gaze and shifted between her eyes and mouth, fighting to keep his attention solely above her neck. The flecks of gold in her irises twinkled when she laughed.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have food on my face?”

He blinked, embarrassed that he’d been caught virtually drooling in response to her enchanting smile. He changed the subject.

“I’d like to pray before you go in there. I’m trusting God for the outcome and to give you wisdom like King Solomon.”

She quirked her brow as if he spoke a foreign language.

“He was known for his wisdom,” Dave explained.

A half smirk tugged at her lips “You’re serious? I thought you were joking.”

Dave sobered. “I wasn’t. I thought you knew I was a Christian. I take prayer very seriously.” Noting her obvious discomfort, he softened. “I promise to pray for you every day. Without God’s hand in this situation, we’ll fail. Please let me pray before we go in there.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “Go ahead and pray for me.”

He took her hands into his, gave them a gentle squeeze, and closed his eyes. “Father in heaven, You know all things, and You know what is about to happen regarding Joey. Please be with Diane and give her the right words to say to show the judge the evidence he needs to make his decision, the decision that’s in accordance with Your plan. Help her to be focused and remain calm. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.”

While praying, he’d rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles and caught himself when he felt her stiffen under his touch. Now he gently squeezed her hands again and let go.

She stood. “Let’s sit outside the courtroom so we’ll hear when they call us.”

Outside, he immediately heard what sounded like Joey’s birth mother. He saw her pacing in front of her attorney, hammering him with loud demands while she flipped her hands.

If it hadn’t been for her erratic behavior, he would never have taken her for a drug-abusing prostitute. Since he’d last seen her, she had gained a few pounds, gotten her hair styled, and had even applied her makeup tastefully. The most amazing transformation of all was her modest dress. If he’d met her in a grocery store rather than in the courthouse, he might have thought she was pretty.

Then again, maybe not.

“Just tell me when I can have him back! I want my son away from that man.” She pointed at Dave and made a face at him, like a child, drawing attention from onlookers. But apparently she didn’t care. “I want him to go away.” She stomped her foot. “He’s messing up my son!”

Dave clenched his fists and tried to ignore her, but she ranted on. He prayed for the strength he needed to be still and trust God.

Diane appeared calm and collected. He envied her tranquility, the exact opposite of his tangled emotions. He had given his worries to the Lord, but after seeing the birth mother, he had taken them back just as fast. A spiritual battle ensued within his heart.

The more the mom paced, the more he suspected she might be using drugs again. She was almost too animated. Dave felt as though he couldn’t breathe. If he didn’t get out of her vicinity, he was going to lose it.

Leaning close to Diane, he whispered, “I need to use the restroom. Save my seat, please.”

“Okay.” She patted his thigh. “Don’t be gone long.”

In the restroom, Dave struggled with temptation—the need to somehow control the outcome of the hearing and thus Joey’s future . . . and equally strong, the chemistry he felt between him and Diane. Was the “father of lies” tempting him by constantly bringing to mind his loneliness, his yearning for a woman?

Splashing his face with cold water, he prayed that the Lord would help him to keep his focus on Him, to keep trusting that God had everything under control in regard to Joey—and Diane.

*   *   *

Diane watched Dave retreat down the hall. The carnal need to be loved by a man once again reared its ugly head. Why did she always feel the pull of attraction when a man wanted her?

Someone tapped Diane’s arm. “Are you scheduled before Judge Taraman this morning?”

Diane looked up with a smile. “I am. What case are you here for?”

“Dodd. I’m the new attorney general for the State, Steve Chapman. I’m waiting for my client to arrive so I can consult with her before we go in. Caseworkers are usually on time, so I don’t know what’s going on.” The man looked at his watch again. “We’re due in the courtroom in less than five minutes.”

“What do you plan to do? In the courtroom, I mean.”

“Well, I plan to ask the judge to intervene and order the foster child moved to a more suitable home until reunification can occur. The social worker’s report indicates the behavior of the foster father is interfering significantly with visitation.”

Diane smiled and offered him her hand. “Don’t believe everything you read. I’m Diane Simmons, attorney for the foster father on the Dodd case. It’s so nice to meet you.

His neck reddened, but he quickly regained his composure.

“I do believe your case manager is here.” She nodded at Mrs. Vela, who lumbered toward them.

“Excuse me.” The man grabbed his briefcase and walked away.

Dave returned from the restroom and sat next to her. “Who was that?”

“The State’s attorney. He said he plans to ask the judge to remove Joey from your home today. But I’ll request a trial if necessary. They have to grant my request, which will buy us more time. With any luck, Joey’s mom will relapse before the next hearing, and this will become a moot issue.”

“Yeah, right. With my luck she’ll keep getting better. Have you noticed her incessant pacing? That can’t be good, right? It could mean she’s back to using drugs again.”

“I could request a drug test. But do you think that’s really necessary? She may be acting that way because she’s as nervous as you are.”

“I don’t know if it’s needed, but it might help our case if she’s not clean.”

She patted his hand. “All right. I’ll think about it. Trust me, okay? I know what I’m doing.”

He grabbed her hand in return. “I’m glad God directed me to you. I know you’re going to help me keep my son. I have a good feeling about this.”

She tugged her hand free. When a flicker of disappointment colored his eyes, she gave him a warm smile. She wanted to please him, but more than that, she wanted to win.

“Dodd? Is everyone here for the Dodd case, JD number 45623?”

“That’s us.” Diane stood with her briefcase in hand. “Ready, Dave?” She winked. “Let’s get ’em, Tiger.”

A brief flash of fear slipped across his face. Sudden doubt in her abilities assailed her.

As she led the way into the courtroom, she prayed silently, “Give me wisdom, God. For some reason I feel like I need your help.”

*   *   *