Masquerade (31 page)

“And I’ll help in whatever way I can to reunite you two,” Kate said. “Nothing would bring me greater pleasure.”
 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Kneeling on a cushion, Sonya pulled weeds from the flower bed. Anthony, Hannah, and Mia stuffed dead leaves into a black garbage bag. 

Matthew stuck his head out the screen door. “Phone’s ringing, Mama.”

She scraped a gloved hand over her forehead. “Well, go answer it.”

“Okay.” The door smacked behind him.

A couple minutes later, Matthew yelled, “It’s Miss Donovan. She wants to talk to you.”

Sonya’s heart leapt to her throat. She tugged off her gloves and pushed from the ground. “Keep up the good work, guys. I’ll be right back.”

Passing Matthew on the way to the phone, she said, “Is Tommy still asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She picked up the phone and covered the mouthpiece with her hand. “Are you working on your math?”

“Five problems to go.”

“Good. Get those finished up,” she whispered and shooed him away.

“Hello, Charlotte. What’s up?” She leaned against the wall.

“We’ve reviewed your adoption application. Are you ready to sign some papers?”

Typewriter keys clacked in the background, along with the drone of voices.

“Really? I don’t know what to say.”

“Can you come to the office on Friday? I have a four o’clock slot available.”

“Okay, uh . . .” She tugged on the end of her hair.

“If that’s a problem—”

“No, no, we’ll work it out. See you Friday.”

“Good, I’ve got you down for a four o’clock appointment. Bye now.”

Dazed, Sonya hung up the phone. “I can’t believe it.”

Her little gardeners charged in, bumping her out of her stupor. “Take your shoes off at the door, please. Better yet, go back outside and scrape the mud clots off your soles. And wipe that scowl off your face, Anthony.”

With drooping shoulders, the children trudged outside.

A few hours later with the kids playing upstairs, Sonya gathered supplies for supper. The front door opened, then closed. She trembled, anxious to see Sam and tell him the news. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he planted a bristly kiss on her neck while she chopped vegetables at the counter. The familiar scent of cleaning fluid clung to Sam’s uniform.

She  pivoted  and  melted  in  his  embrace.  “I’m so

glad you’re home.”

He reached around her and grabbed a cucumber slice. Munching, he squeezed her, then stepped back. “You’re glowing. What’s up?”

“Charlotte called.” She resumed her chopping while Sam poured a glass of cold water from the refrigerator.

“And?”

“She says to come down on Friday and sign the adoption papers.”

He closed the fridge door. “For real?”

“Yep, for real. It’s finally gonna be official—Lily,
our
little girl.”

Sam set his glass on the table and pulled Sonya close.

“We’re doing the right thing, aren’t we?” She looked into his eyes.

              He shook his head. “My girl—always second guessing. We’ve prayed and prayed about this. Yes, it’s right and good, and the bestest thing we’ve ever done.”

              She giggled and took a deep breath. “Okay then.”

              “But no more fostering. Those days are over for us. We’ll concentrate on the six children God has put in our care.”

###

Wednesday afternoon, Celeste sat in Charlotte Donovan’s office. On the edge of her seat, she clutched sweaty hands. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. There’s been some new developments concerning Lily.”

              “Oh?” Sitting at her desk, Miss Donovan glowered and worked a rubber band around her fingers.

              “Yes.” She spoke in a firm tone, determined to stand up for her rights as Lily’s natural mother. Yet, she struggled to catch her breath.

              “Is something wrong, Mrs. Tatem?”

              She willed her thudding heart to be still. “Where do I begin?”

              Miss Donovan compressed her lips and waited.

              “I was young, in college. You see, my parents threatened to pull their funding if I kept the baby. But I always wanted her. Through my search, I’ve discovered that Lily is my child.”

              Miss Donovan dropped the rubber band on the desk, but otherwise seemed unmoved by Celeste’s declaration. “Okay, that would explain your motive for giving up Lily. Do you know who the father is?”

             
Celeste nodded. “I think so.” Prickly heat rippled throughout her body.              

“I’m assuming Lily was born in the hospital. Correct?”

              In her zeal to claim Lily, she’d failed to think through the potential interaction with Miss Donovan. The disturbing questions. How would she get through this without lying?

              “DSS would have required you to sign your baby over to the state, barring any other familial claims. Since there’s no paperwork to that effect in Lily’s records, then she can’t possibly be your child.” She straightened. “I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, Mrs. Tatem, but

whoever it was has given you faulty information.”

             
The cubicle shrank, squeezing the air from Celeste’s lungs.

              “Do you remember signing such a paper?” Miss Donovan eased up her glasses, then tugged on the hem of her blouse.

              “No, no I don’t.”

              “That’s quite out of the ordinary.”

              The mounting pressure in Celeste’s temples caused her head to spin. Would she pass out? “Kate knows the truth.”

              “Excuse me?”

              “Kate Dryden. The nurse who helped deliver Lily.” Her hands trembled as she rummaged in her purse and drew out the napkin with Kate’s number and address.

              Miss Donovan surveyed the napkin as though it were poison ivy.

              “Please, take it. Call Kate.” Hadn’t the nurse promised to vouch for her?

###

              “Hurry up, Sam. I don’t want to be late.” In the foyer, Sonya looked at her watch. Three forty-five. Charlotte told them to arrive by four o’clock. They’d be cutting it close.

              He zipped down the stairs, buttoning a clean shirt. “This look okay?”

              She fastened the last button. “Wonderful! Now, let’s go.” She tugged on his arm.

              “Kids settled at the neighbor’s house?”

              “Yes, Sam. They’re fine.” She’d never seen him so nervous. “You might think we were giving birth.”

              “Kinda feels that way.” He opened the door for Sonya.

              “Minus the pain. I like that part,” she said, moving to the van.

              When they arrived at the Social Services office, Sonya studied Charlotte’s face. Maybe it was simply her overactive imagination, but something didn’t seem right. Charlotte avoided Sonya’s eyes. Fumbling with the paperwork, she fidgeted in her chair.

              Charlotte folded her hands on the desk and gazed at a folder. “Please, have a seat, Mr. and Mrs. Miller.”

              Mr. and Mrs. Miller? She’d referred to them as Sam and Sonya for the past two years. Why the sudden formality?

              “I don’t know how to say this other than just come out with it,” Charlotte said.

              Sam’s hand grabbed hers. The room began to spin. She gripped the chair with her free hand.

              Charlotte adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses. “A woman came forward a couple days ago claiming she’s Lily’s biological mother.”

              Sonya gasped and held her stomach.

Sam put his arm around her as she slumped in her chair. “After all these years? I don’t understand.”

Charlotte raised her palm. “Rest assured, Mr. Miller, we are researching this allegation. But certainly you understand we can’t move forward with the adoption papers until we have this matter settled.”

“What’s she want? Money?” Sam’s voice cracked.

Sonya could feel the heat and tension in his hand as he clung to her shoulder.

“She wants her child.”

Sonya stared into space, struggling to track the conversation.

“Why now?” Sam said, removing his arm from Sonya’s shoulder. “She abandoned Lily once. Who’s to say she won’t do it again? Besides, we’re Lily’s family now. She barely remembers any other.”

“I understand your frustration—”

“How could you? Have you ever fostered the same child for almost five years, hoping against hope you can adopt her?”

“Actually, no, but I have—”

“We love that little girl.” His voice rose, and Sonya squeezed his knee.

“There’s a nurse who can verify this woman is Lily’s mother.”

“You keep saying, ‘woman.’ What’s her name?” Sam inched forward.

“I can’t release her name. I’m bound legally. Surely, you understand.”

“So, how do we fight this?”

Charlotte straightened. “DSS will work on your behalf. First, we need to validate this woman’s story with a maternity test. And I suspect the father may be in the picture as well. Of course, that means a paternity test. Lily will also need to be tested.”

Sonya crumpled against Sam. “A blood test?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so, and possibly tissue typing. I’m sorry for all this. The department thinks it best to authorize the testing and remove all doubt as to maternity and paternity.” Charlotte gripped her hands, nostrils flaring when she exhaled. “However, even if the test substantiates this couple’s claim, there are some unusual circumstances surrounding Lily’s birth that will make it difficult for them to prove in court that they’re fit. So, that should encourage you. Your job is to keep a happy home for Lily. Exactly what you’ve been doing all along.”

              There was a glimmer of hope in Charlotte’s words. Still, Sonya wanted to scream, run, cry, but she did none of that. Instead, she rallied enough strength to nudge Sam. There was nothing else they could do for now but go home and pray. Arms and legs like jelly, she stood, Sam holding her arm.

             
They’d come so far—financially and emotionally ready to adopt Lily. God wouldn’t take her from them now, would He?

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

             
At the breakfast table,
Celeste wrung her hands. Her fried egg and piece of toast grew hard and cold. She took a couple bites and pushed the plate away.

Her last interaction with Charlotte Donovan had not been good. Bits of their conversation swirled in and out of her mind. Should she have handled it differently? Been up front with the caseworker to begin with and hope for the best?

She was in for an uphill battle, especially when the Millers learned the truth. She squeezed her eyes shut and rose from the table. She didn’t want to think about that. She needed to keep a level head, strategize more.

Yes, she’d taken the maternity test. Results would be delivered to Social Services. And she’d keep seeking out Don’s thoughts. After all, he had a vested interest in Lily, too. Even though he didn’t know it yet.

Gravel crunched in the driveway. Setting her plate in the sink, she peered out the window. She grabbed her duffel bag off the counter and opened the back door before Don had a chance to knock.

“Well, you’re an eager beaver.” He stood on the stoop and took her hand.

“It’s been a long week.” Celeste allowed him to lead her to his BMW.

“Ready to enjoy a hike and a picnic on this gorgeous April Saturday?”

She sighed. “Definitely.”

He helped her into her seat, then jogged around the front of the car and slid behind the wheel.

“It smells wonderful in here.” Celeste anchored her duffel bag beside her feet.