Safely out of sight Sarah’s nerves got the better of her and she paced back and forth, “What am I going to do? Why is he here? Why would he even want to see me? And Zoe…How am I going to explain this? She’s never asked about her father. Not once. And she called him Edward! Can you believe it? She was so proud too. Like it had been a scavenger hunt!”
Tailor watched her deep in thought, “Sarah, sit down, please. You’ll wear a hole in the floor.”
“Good. Maybe it will swallow me up. I knew coming back was a bad idea.”
“No. It wasn’t,” Tailor said guiding her to the bed and made her sit down. “You are letting your fears control you and that is not good. Not for you and certainly not for Zoe. Now deep breath.”
Sarah complied taking in a long breath and releasing it slowly.
“Has it occurred to you he may be sincere?”
She let out a strained laugh, “Uncle…him? You really think that? After everything he did…him and that slut.”
“Ah, there it is,” Tailor smiled. “There is the Sarah I know. Spirited and opinionated.”
Sarah let out a genuine laugh and felt herself relax.
“Sarah, speaking strictly as a lawyer, I have to ask what do we really know? All we have are text messages. They are circumstantial at best, not proof. We have no evidence, no pictures.”
“What about all those pictures in the magazines?”
“They are still just circumstantial. Shopping for dresses and jewelry looks bad but it’s not proof of them sleeping together.”
“So you think I should take him back?”
“No, of course not,” Tailor sat beside her. “But if he wants to he could take you to court for custody.”
“He’s not taking Zoe from me!”
“I doubt very much there is a court anywhere that would allow that,” Tailor soothed her. “But they may choose to protect his parental rights. That means visitation and holidays. Is that what you want for Zoe?”
Sarah sighed. No. She didn’t want Zoe to have to go through the strain and confusion of parents that were forced to cooperate by court order. Zoe would hear the rumors about how her parents’ marriage fell apart, vicious rumors about how her mother was unworthy of her father. What would she think then?
“So, what do we do?”
“I think we’re going to have to face facts and accept that he’s going to want to spend time with her…and you. But that also means we can control the situation.”
Sarah gave him a questioning look.
“We can make whatever conditions we want…for instance time and place, he’s not allowed to bring his mistress or family around Zoe…He also can’t tell anyone you are Rosemary Thomas. Anything we want.”
Realization slowly dawned on her finally getting what he was saying. Tailor grabbed a piece of stationary from the desk along with a pen as they discussed possible conditions. Sarah doubted it would be so simple. After all Lucas may insist on his own conditions but with this they could direct the conversation. Sarah finally allowed herself to relax. She wasn’t alone. Tailor and Ruth were on her side and that would be enough.
* * *
Lucas sat at the table quietly tapping his finger on the hard surface. Nothing had gone as planned…not that he had a plan. When Zoe confronted him at the zoo he didn’t know what to expect. He still didn’t know if he was being honest. She seemed so serious then in sharp contrast to now.
“These are the monkeys, aren’t they funny?” Zoe giggled as she continued showing Ruth pictures. “And this is Ruby. She’s a really nice camel.”
“She looks sweet,” Ruth nodded.
“And these are the goats from the petting zoo!”
Lucas listened. It was obvious how much Zoe loved animals. He would have to make an effort to learn her other likes and dislikes as well. She liked movies. And dogs. Maybe he should have Alan research children to get him started.
“All right, Mister Stanton,” Tailor said stirring him from his private musings as they returned. Helping Sarah to sit Tailor took his own seat again. “What exactly do you want, Mister Stanton?”
“I want my wife…and my daughter,” Lucas said simply his gaze settling on Sarah but she still refused to meet his gaze. “I want them to come home.”
“That requires a follow-up question. Why?”
“Why what?” Lucas glared at him.
“For years you willfully ignored the woman you married, never once spent a moment in her company that was not forced. You told her to disappear. Four years ago Sarah gave you what you wanted. She disappeared. So what is the problem?”
Lucas felt his face warm as his words were thrown at him. Her lawyer certainly wasn’t one to pull punches. He had so many questions but none of them that he wanted to ask in front of this man. Finally Lucas asked, “Why wasn’t I told about Zoe? I don’t recall anything in the divorce papers about child support.”
“So you did read them,” Tailor said earning another glare. “We didn’t include stipulations concerning Zoe because Sarah was unaware she was pregnant at the time. She didn’t find out until several weeks later. As for informing you…the divorce was finalized and we already included a clause barring her from seeking any monetary compensation from you present or future so she couldn’t seek child support even if she wanted…so there was no need.”
“No need,” Lucas muttered his eyes going back to Sarah but she still refused to meet his gaze. “I want us to be together.”
“Then I have to ask you again, why?”
“Does it matter?”
“It might. What if I said my client is afraid for her and her daughter’s safety?”
“I never…I would never hurt them,” Lucas declared his eyes darting from the lawyer to Sarah to see her fidgeting and biting her lip as if fighting tears. Wait…what was she thinking about?
Lucas frowned. His mind raced searching for any memory of raising a hand to her and found none. Granted he was never supportive and he had insulted her but he never caused her physical harm. Why then did she seem afraid of him?
Tailor watched him carefully gauging his response not just his words but body language as well. There was no doubting his agitation but his confusion seemed genuine. Could it be he didn’t know what his family had been doing?
“I swear, I will never hurt Sarah or Zoe,” Lucas finally said. “I’ll keep them safe. I just…want my family back.”
“If that is the truth then you won’t mind proving it.”
“What?” Lucas looked at him.
Tailor slid a piece of paper toward him, “Sarah and Zoe will be in town for the next two weeks until her new book launches. You have that long to prove your sincerity. Fail and you will relinquish any and all parental rights to Zoe and you will not seek them out again.”
Lucas’s heart beat in his chest at the lawyer’s declaration. What the hell was he talking about? Why would he give up his parental rights? What kind of proof did they require?
Sarah still refused to meet his gaze forcing him to read the paper he had been handed. There weren’t many provisions but what was written cut him to the bone.
First, he would make no announcements or official statements concerning the state of their relationship or of Zoe’s status.
Second, he would avoid any rumors that indicated the presence of a mistress or infidelity. [Wait, did Sarah believe he had cheated on her too? Was that why she left?]
Third, Zoe was to have no contact with any member of his family without the expressed consent of and under Sarah’s direct supervision. [What exactly did she think his family would do?]
Fourth, he would reveal to no one Sarah was Rosemary Thomas (present company excluded) nor would he participate in any rumors or debates concerning her identity. [Well, he didn’t care about that anyway.]
Considering their discussion the stipulations were rather simple but they only left him with more questions, the second and third especially. Sarah was smart, surely she wouldn’t be taken in by rumors circulating about him and Madeline. She couldn’t believe they were true. Could she? And what did she have against his family? Sarah never spoke to his sister or mother. The only time they had contact was on holidays. Then why…
It just didn’t make any sense. And he only had two weeks? That wasn’t nearly enough time to convince her to stay especially as she wouldn’t even look at him unless…
“I’d like to add my own stipulation,” Lucas said.
Tailor raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. Lucas took his silence as permission to continue.
“I want Sarah and Zoe to come home and stay with me.”
Sarah finally stirred staring at him with an expression of shock. Did she really think he wouldn’t make this request? That he would tolerate them to stay anywhere else?
“I won’t comment on our relationship but I will be her escort to any events she plans on attending.”
Sarah shook her head ready to protest but remained silent as Tailor set his hand on hers. She gave him a questioning look as he quietly said, “I think you should consider this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Rumors are already flying about Rosemary staying in this hotel,” Tailor warned. “It’s only just started but in a week you may find yourself in an uncomfortable position: you and Zoe. And if you are staying with him you can be assured of number two.”
Sarah bit her lip. Tailor did make good points. No doubt people would soon be looking for a woman and child with a dog. She certainly didn’t want people harassing Zoe. Keeping Rosemary’s identity secret was also imperative to the publisher. Their whole advertisement for the book hinged on the big reveal. But the very idea of being in the same room as Lucas…
“How are we supposed to stay in a cramped condo?” Sarah finally spoke.
“I don’t have the condo anymore,” Lucas said. “I live in the villa in Astoria. I have for years.”
Sarah blinked. For the first time since he appeared in front of her she looked genuinely stunned. Her brow furrowed no doubt wondering why he chose to live there. Finally, she seemed to come to a decision.
“Fine. I’ll stay in one of the guest rooms.”
Lucas wanted to protest but held back. He had to be smart and not push her too hard. The fact she agreed to stay with him was a huge step forward. At least they would be under the same roof and he could be certain they were safe. Reluctantly, he nodded.
Tailor glanced from one to the other seemingly amused before saying, “Very well. I will add your stipulations.”
He took back the paper and made notations. Lucas watched him anxious about what that paper meant. He couldn’t lose his custody rights, not now, not ever, not when he had only just met Zoe.
“Do you have plans for dinner?” Tailor asked.
Lucas’s brow furrowed in confusion. Why was he asking that?
“Ruth was taking us out,” Sarah said.
Tailor nodded before looking at Lucas.
“No.”
“Then shall we all meet at Good Eats?” Tailor asked. “I will draft an official document for both of you to sign.”
Sarah hesitantly met Lucas’s gaze before nodding. He had no choice but to agree. Satisfied Tailor stood squeezing Sarah’s shoulder in comfort before seeing himself out. Lucas breathed easier but Sarah only seemed more rigid. He was beginning to understand the difficulties that lay ahead.
* * *
The small group remained in the hotel room for an hour before heading out for supper. An awkward wait turned into an awkward car ride as Lucas insisted on riding with Sarah while Ruth and Alan rode in the other car. Now that he had found her he was desperate to keep her and Zoe within sight at all times. At the restaurant Ruth apologized profusely to the hostess as they only had reservations for four and now required six seats.
Gretchen merely smiled recognizing Zoe in an instant and happily rearranged their reservation showing them to a table near the piano. As before, she gushed over the three-year-old. Zoe enjoyed the attention even more than before.
There was some hesitation as to how they should arrange seating but Lucas insisted on sitting next to Zoe and Sarah. Sarah would have preferred more space from him but gave up relying solely on Zoe who sat between them. Alan and Ruth sat across from the hesitant family watching with eager fascination. For the most part Zoe seemed completely unaware of the tension between her parents focusing on the menu selecting a hamburger and curly fries this time.
“What about fish sticks?” Alan asked noting the options on the children’s menu.
Zoe made a face and stuck out her tongue.
“You don’t like fish?” Lucas asked eager to learn about his little girl.
“No, she doesn’t.” Sarah shook her head.
While Zoe was not particularly picky when it came to food she didn’t like seafood. Shellfish in particular turned her off because it was cooked in the shell and maintained its form, like lobster. She liked the fresh fish fillets Tailor brought them after his fishing trips well enough but in general she shied away from it otherwise.
Lucas raised a brow wondering why but Sarah focused on the menu options. The conversation fell into an awkward lull as they waited for their food. Lucas’s gaze kept drifting to Sarah wanting to ask her all the questions that plagued him the last few years plus several new ones but she was back to ignoring him. Would they ever be able to have a simple conversation?
Luckily their food came quickly and they settled in to eat. With Sarah still ignoring him Lucas focused on Zoe.
“So…Zoe you like horses?” Lucas asked.
“Ah-huh. Horses and doggies and goats and chickens,” Zoe said. “Mommy says when I get bigger I can have a pony!”
Lucas glanced at Sarah but she remained silent and kept her eyes averted from him. What did he have to do to get her to acknowledge him?
“So you want a pony?” Lucas said. “That’s a bit bigger than a puppy.”
“It’s okay. We have a barn and Thistle and Rosy and Posy won’t mind.”
A barn? Lucas raised an eyebrow. Had they been living on a farm? Or was she talking about a local stable? Just how had they been living for three years?
“Thistle, Rosy and Posy?”
“Our donkey and goats! Mommy bought them for me!”
So, a farm.
“So, what is your puppy’s name?”
“Daisy.”
“Daisy?” Alan suddenly piped up. “That’s Rosemary’s daughter.”
Zoe gave him a shrewd look in as much to say, Well, duh! Out loud she said, “I know, silly.”
“Oh,” Alan cleared his throat. “So how long…have you known about your mom?”
“I’ve known forever!” Zoe proudly declared. “Mommy said it was a secret so I can’t tell anyone but I want everyone to know my mommy is the bestest!”
Lucas fought a smile as Zoe gushed about her mother. It was clear she thought the world revolved around Sarah, or at least that it should. He wondered how long it would take for him to earn such loyalty and adoration or if it was even possible.
“I wanted mommy to enter the rodeo with Applejack at the fair but she said she was too old,” Zoe said. “But she’s not old at all, is she? You think she could do it too, right?”
“I think your mommy can do anything she wants,” Lucas said. “I’d love to see her in the rodeo.”
“Me too!” Zoe practically bounced in her booster seat. “I want to see Applejack run. Mommy says he’s like lightning! Auntie Ruth, did you see mommy in the rodeo?”
“I did,” Ruth nodded glancing at Sarah. “I was there when she and Jack won at the county fair.”
Lucas’s gaze slid toward Sarah again noticing her cheeks had gone pink. Was she really embarrassed by her own accomplishments? How much did he not know about her? He hadn’t even known she could ride let alone competed in a rodeo.
“Auntie Sarah?”
They looked up to see a young teenage girl staring at their table with two little boys in tow.
“Alexis!” Sarah jerked to attention. “You’ve gotten so big!”