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“You’re telling me what you won’t allow? What gives you the right?”
“I have rights when it comes to my daughter. And I will exercise them if I need to.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He stood. Headed toward the door. “It’s not a threat, Savannah. It’s a promise.”
Their marriage had ended in divorce after a short eighteen months. It was the one thing that Edward had failed at. He’d excelled in college and breezed through law school. He’d run for mayor, and lost—but had landed a position on the West Palm Beach City Commission. A place where he could actually make a difference for the people in his community. However, the mayoral campaign had robbed him of his marriage. A newlywed with a pregnant wife at home, he’d gotten too caught up in his career. Not to mention he’d spent too much time with his beautiful campaign manager. Although he’d never cheated on Savannah with Quinn, the closeness of their relationship had caused more of a disturbance than his new marriage could take.
One of the best things about Edward’s marriage to Savannah, though, had been their daughter, Chloe. He needed his daughter like the air he breathed. He needed to see her every single day. They’d become the best of friends. In her five years of life, he was astounded at the things that she knew. He didn’t want to miss one single moment of her life. But now Savannah threatened to take it all away. He wouldn’t allow her to do it. Couldn’t.
“What do you want from me, Edward? Do you want me to put my life...my career on hold again?”
“This is not about your career, or mine for that matter. This is about our daughter. If you want to go to London to make amends with your mother and build a new career, that’s fine. But don’t take Chloe away from me. She’s all I have.”
“I couldn’t leave her here. I won’t,” she said. “This is something I have to do, Edward. I’m sorry.”
It seemed that he’d been dismissed.
“Get yourself a good lawyer, Savannah,” he spat, and then stormed out of her office.
He needed air.
He walked briskly and managed to make it to the parking garage, loosened his tie and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. He collapsed into the driver’s seat of his sedan and sat there for a moment. Listened while Omar Sosa’s Afro-Cuban rhythms soothed his senses. He hated fighting with Savannah, but it seemed more frequent lately. Not long ago, they’d debated over which private school to send Chloe to and which curriculum would be better suited for her. They’d argued about whether to place her in a karate class or ballet. A week ago they’d argued about something as simple as Chloe’s bob haircut. He thought she was too young for such a grown-up style. She was a kindergartner, for Christ’s sake. He’d been active in every decision about his daughter, but not the one where Savannah planned to take her thousands of miles away. It seemed unfair.
He pulled out onto Clematis Street and breezed through the yellow light. His heart ached. He scrolled through the address book on his phone and looked for Jack Wesley’s phone number. He didn’t want to involve his attorney—in fact he’d only said it to get Savannah’s attention—but he needed to know what his rights were regarding his daughter.
“JW!” Edward exclaimed. “How the hell are you?”
“I’m making it,” Jack said. “Trying my best to keep a good law practice and maintain a happy marriage all at the same time.”
“Well, I can’t help you in that area, bro. I failed tremendously at my marriage.”
“You failed because you didn’t put in the effort. Savannah was a good woman.”
“All of that is neither here nor there.”
“Do you miss her?” Jack asked.
“What? Of course not,” Edward lied. He would never let his friend know that he regretted every moment since Savannah left. “She has her life and I have mine.”
“Right,” a skeptical Jack said.
“I didn’t call you to talk about my failed marriage to Savannah. I need some advice regarding Chloe.”
“What about Chloe?”
“Savannah’s trying to take her to London...to live! Can you believe that?” Edward asked. “I need to know what my rights are.”
“Have you had lunch already?”
“Not yet.”
“Meet me at the little chicken and waffles spot on Okeechobee in thirty minutes.”
“Bro, fried chicken and waffles? How about something a little healthier?”
“You’re still on that kick,” Jack stated. He sighed. “Have you completely given up meat?”
“No, of course not. I’ve traded red meat and pork for chicken, fish and tofu. I’m just eating healthier, man, that’s all.”
“I see. You choose, then.”
“Darbster. Dixie Highway.”
“Do they have anything that resembles meat?”
“Tofu.” Edward laughed.
“Ah, man.”
“Keep an open mind,” said Edward. “I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.”
Edward hit the end button on his phone. Turned up the volume on his music. He was anxious to speak with Jack. Surely he would receive some good advice from his old friend. Jack would tell him exactly how to go about keeping his daughter in the country. He felt better already, less helpless. Cocky, even.
* * *
He slid into the booth at the restaurant and gave the menu a quick scan. He already knew what he wanted—it was a place that he frequented often. He ordered his usual meal and then ordered something for Jack.
“And bring two glasses of water, please,” he said to the female server.
He raised his hand when he saw Jack walk through the door. His friend looked worn, as though he needed a vacation. He removed his suit jacket and slid into the booth across from Edward. Gave him a strong slap of the hands and a handshake.
“Good to see you.”
“Likewise.” Edward grinned. “I took the liberty of ordering for you.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Because I know this isn’t your kind of place,” Edward said, “but you’ll be thanking me later.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Soon the server arrived with two piping-hot plates of food and set them down in front of the men. Jack frowned at the sight of his.
“Don’t knock it until you try it,” said Edward.
“I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
“Good,” Edward said, and then went on to explain what transpired at Savannah’s office earlier.
“You overreacted, bro.” Jack frowned as he picked over his meal. He pushed the tofu aside and managed to get the vegetables into his mouth. “But you do have rights regarding your daughter. The question is, are you up for a fight with Savannah?”
“I can’t let her take Chloe away without a fight.”
“Perhaps you two can work something out without involving the courts. Summer is approaching. Maybe you can convince her to let Chloe spend the summer with you. You’d deliver her to London safe and sound in the fall, just before school starts. Maybe you can get her again around Christmastime or spring break.”
“That won’t work,” Edward said emphatically. “I need to see her at least once a week. And besides, we have a custody plan that says I get her every week. She can’t just wake up one morning and decide she wants to move to the other side of the earth.”
“Well, if you’re not in agreement with the move, then Savannah must file a petition for relocation with the court. The family court judge will take into consideration what’s in the best interest of the child. Stuff like how Chloe’s relationship with you will be impacted if she takes her away. Also, how the move will impact her mental, physical and emotional development.”
“Okay.”
“And whether or not the relationship with you can be preserved...kind of like the arrangement that I suggested in the beginning.”
“Can’t be preserved,” Edward said.
“Then once she files, we have a short deadline to object to the move,” Jack said. “I’ll get the paperwork started as soon as I return to my office so we’ll be ready.”
“You’re a lifesaver, man.” Edward smiled. Exhaled.
“We’ll have to contend with a court hearing. Maybe even a trial, if it goes that far.” Jack sipped on his ice water. “Are you up for that?”
“What choice do I have?” Edward said. “I’m up for it if she is. She started this whole thing.”
“I’m just asking, because I know it’s been a long, hard road for you and Savannah in the past. I was just wondering if you’re willing to go down that road again.”
“I don’t want to fight with Savannah again. It was a painful time.”
“I remember. I was right there with you.”
“Yes, you were. You’ve been a great friend.”
“I just hate to see you go through that again. And you two have finally gotten this co-parenting thing down.”
“Right. We have.”
“You’ve made it through some tough times. Not to mention that whole bogus engagement thing Savannah had with her corny boss.” Jack grinned. “If you can make it through that, you can make it through anything.”
“Don’t remind me of that fool.”
Jack laughed. “You were so jealous.”
“I wasn’t jealous!”
“You were beyond jealous. I knew then that you were still in love with that woman.”
“What?” Edward denied Jack’s claims. “I’m not in love with her. I do love her in a family sort of way...kind of like I love my sisters.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you love Savannah like you love your sisters.” Jack laughed. “But if that’s your story...”
“That’s my story.” Edward laughed, too. “And I’m sticking with it.”
“Maybe you should just move to London, too,” Jack said.
“Go to hell!” said Edward.
“I’m only kidding, bro. I know this is a serious situation for you.” Jack wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Let me see what we can work out. Perhaps we won’t have to go to court at all.”
“That would be great.”
Savannah had surprised him with the divorce. She’d claimed that she needed to get away and had gone to Georgia for a lengthy visit with her father. After several long weeks, instead of returning to their home in Florida as Edward had anticipated, Savannah had decided to stay in Georgia with her father. Soon she’d had Edward served and completely caught him off guard. And if divorcing him wasn’t enough, she asked for alimony and child support. She wanted the family home and asked that he continue to pay the mortgage until she was gainfully employed. He wouldn’t be blindsided by her again.
In fact, when he was done reading Savannah her rights, she wouldn’t know what hit her.
Chapter 2 (#ulink_783371ff-ed88-52c8-a873-a9b22f05439c)
Savannah was young when she married Edward. Her pregnancy had been difficult, and Edward had insisted that she stay home with Chloe for her first two years.
“I’ll take care of us,” he’d said.
“What about my career? My goals?” she’d argued. “I have dreams, too.”
“Give me time. When I’m mayor, you can go back to work.”
It was too much for Savannah. She’d become invisible to him. He’d stopped coming home at a decent hour. She was alone more times than not, and she’d become lonely. She’d even suspected that Edward and his campaign manager, Quinn, were more than friends. She’d cried too many tears. Begged Edward for a reprieve.
“I can’t focus when you’re on my back all the time,” he’d complained.
Finally, her father convinced her to come to Georgia for a visit. “You and the baby,” he’d said. “That way you can figure things out.”
Savannah, Georgia, had been her home for most of her life. She was named after the city with cobblestone streets and Spanish moss hanging from ancient trees. Her father, a decorated officer in the military, had retired there—it was his home. He’d met Savannah’s mother while stationed in Germany. Nyle Carrington had taken the train from London to Germany for a weekend getaway with girlfriends, and returned to her home in London engaged to a US soldier. They dated for a short time, and soon, Frank Carrington’s wife-to-be was pregnant with their new bundle of joy. When Savannah was two, her father’s tour of duty was over, and the couple moved to his home in Georgia. Nyle found life difficult in the States, and soon returned to London, leaving Frank behind to raise their toddler alone. She sent cards and gifts for birthdays and Christmas, and occasionally she returned for short visits. Each visit, she’d promise to stay. She’d fill Savannah’s head with stories of her home in London and promises that the next time she came, she’d take Savannah back to London with her. Instead, Savannah would awaken the next morning or return from school, only to find her mother gone again. By the time Savannah reached puberty, she’d given up any hope of having a normal relationship with her mother. She’d resolved that Nyle would never be a part of her life. And once she was an adult, she’d cut off all communication with her.
Until now.
Nyle was aging and needed Savannah in her life. She was remorseful and admitted that she hadn’t been the best mother. She wanted to meet her only grandchild and realized the importance of having Savannah and Chloe in her life now. Savannah by all rights could’ve turned her back on the woman who’d abandoned her, but the truth was, she needed Nyle, too. Her life had been incomplete for so long, and she was ready to be a whole person. She wanted Chloe to know her grandmother and to learn about the history and her family in London. She needed to give their relationship a chance.
Conversations with her mother had become more frequent. They talked every day the way mothers and daughters were supposed to. They experienced moments that Savannah had only dreamed of in the past. They talked about Savannah and Chloe coming for a long visit—maybe even permanently. With Savannah’s company downsizing, it seemed like the opportune time.
Nyle invited her to share her flat until she found her own place. Savannah would leave Chloe in Florida with Edward until the school year ended. She’d go there and get settled before coming back for her daughter. She was an experienced designer and already had an interview lined up with a prominent company. Her plans seemed perfect, flawless. And the anticipation of reuniting with her mother was all that mattered now. It was important to her, and she couldn’t see why Edward didn’t understand. He knew the history of her relationship with Nyle. They’d had plenty of conversations about it. She’d cried on his shoulder more times than she cared to remember, and he’d comforted her, given her encouragement. Loved her all the more. She expected him to be the one person who understood this burning desire. But instead, he was the one giving her grief.
“Have you had lunch?” Jarrod walked into her office as he often did, without knocking, and plopped his medium frame down in the chair opposite her desk. He studied her with those light brown eyes and gave her that bright smile that she loved so much. He was nicely built with dark curly hair and a strong physique that he worked for at the gym too many times a week, in her opinion. He was always sharply dressed.
“No time,” she said.
“You have to eat,” said Jarrod. “Why don’t we go grab a bite?”
