A Thanksgiving Dilemma by Rose Francis

Author:Rose Francis [Francis, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Poison Arrow Publishing

Chapter 9

Brian

“I realize you think you have some sort of power here, but you gave up your parental rights, remember? The system doesn’t actually favor those guilty of child abandonment. So again, convince me why I shouldn’t take out a restraining order,” Brian said with a pointed look at the fussing baby.

“I’m the child’s mother! She should know her natural family. Don’t you agree? Isn’t that in the kid’s best interest?”

“Not if you’re probably just going to take off again. I’d prefer to shield her from that if I can.”

“I’m not going anywhere; I told you—I realize I made a mistake...”

“Why’d you have her in the first place?”

“I thought I wanted a baby to complete my life, but quickly discovered I didn’t; they’re the worst, right? All cries and poop. I dropped her off at your place because I couldn’t deal, and leaving her with any of my family members was out of the question. I figured you were her best shot, so that’s what I did—I took a shot in the dark.”

“You left her in the cold dark outside of a stranger’s house!”

“I thought it was your house! And she was well-bundled. I left a note and everything; obviously, I cared about the baby—I just didn’t want to be a single mom. But now that I see you would’ve been perfectly willing to co-parent...”

The baby was wailing now and Brian reached for her.

Deidre stared at him warily for a moment, then handed the screaming child over. “Does it do that a lot?”

“She’s a baby. Of course, she does—it’s the only language she knows for now.” He let out a short sigh. “Where have you been all this time? What do you do that would allow you to jump right in and look after a baby for half the day?”

“I work at an architectural firm and I get to work from home.”

“Listen, I have no proof you have any qualifications to do this, and no evidence you genuinely feel the way you say.”

“I’m here now, aren’t I? Besides, you didn’t exactly vet me before taking me to bed, so what are you saying? I was good enough to lay with, but not look after your seed? Then you should really be more careful where you point that weapon. And what qualifications did you have?”

“I was there for her—the only parent willing to be.”

“Look, I don’t want that woman raising my kid!”

“Well, I’m raising my child how I see fit, and that woman more than fits. I still intend for Karen to be in our lives.”

Deidre’s mouth twisted in a way then she regarded him studiously, tilting her head like a dog. “So what is Karen’s role exactly? Is she really just the nanny?”

“That’s definitely none of your business. She looks after Isabelle, which is all you need to know.”

“To hell with that—I’m Denise’s mother! I have a right to know more about who’s looking after her.”

“Her mother,” Brian said low in his throat, his voice thick with ridicule. “And again,

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