A Perfect Distraction by Anna Sugden

Author:Anna Sugden
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

I WON’T LET LEE get his hands on Emily.

Maggie’s chest squeezed so tightly, she could hardly breathe.

“What does he want?” she forced out finally. “Is he arguing about how much he pays in child support again?” The question was hopeful, rather than with any conviction.

“You know I wouldn’t bother you with that.” Samantha’s tone was apologetic. “He complains about what he pays you, or rather Emily, every month.”

After an initial settlement, Lee paid only child support. Maggie would rather not have taken a penny from him, but she’d wanted to ensure her daughter’s future was financially secure. She had the money paid into a separate account, in trust for Emily.

“So what does he want?” She wished she could sound nonchalant, but that was impossible. She dreaded what her ex might be demanding.

“Lee’s getting remarried. His fiancée, Patty, is the woman he’s been going out with for the past few months.”

“Okay.” Maggie waited for the other shoe to drop.

It landed like a grenade.

“He wants Emily to come back to England.”

Panic wrenched Maggie’s stomach. She wanted to scream her refusal, but her lips were numb. To grab Emily and run, but her limbs were frozen.

The sound of her daughter moving around in the room next door broke through the wall of ice that encased Maggie. “She can’t. He agreed, in writing, that we could come to the U.S. for twelve months.”

“He’s still entitled to see Emily three times a year.”

“But he hasn’t seen her since before the divorce. Why would he change his mind now?”

“I suspect this is Patty’s idea. Renewing contact with Emily will show everyone he’s changed. She’s been gushing to the gossip media about how they want to start a family.”

“In other words, it’s a nice PR ploy.” Lee had loved to parade Emily before the cameras whenever he needed good press. No way would she allow him to use Emily like that ever again. “I don’t want Lee anywhere near my daughter.”

“We can’t actually deny him access.” Samantha’s voice was steady and calm. “Despite your totally justified feelings about Lee, you have to put Emily’s best interests first. Remember, we want to show the court, should he ever decide to challenge the custody agreement, that you’ve been the reasonable one.”

“Is that what this is about?” Maggie felt sick. This couldn’t be happening. “He wants custody of Emily?”

“I don’t know for certain, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s part of his plan.”

“No.” She tightened her grip on the phone. “He can’t. Never.”

“Trust me. It won’t get that far.”

The hard edge in Samantha’s voice cut through Maggie’s panic. Her solicitor was a staunch advocate for abused women. Smart, tough and dogged, her record for success was unparalleled. She wouldn’t recommend anything that would compromise Emily’s safety.

Maggie forced herself to calm down. Closing her eyes, she took in several deep breaths. “What do you think we should do?”

“First, we’ll tell him Emily can’t travel to England because she can’t be pulled out of school. However, if he flies over to New Jersey, he can see her there.

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