Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)
Page 66
“Then what are you doing here talking to me? Go home and use your words.” She grinned at him like a crazy woman.
Who’d have thought his love life was so important to her?
“Have you been reading those how-to books on raising kids?” he asked.
Her blush gave her away, and he laughed.
“What? I couldn’t handle What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” She wrinkled her nose. “Too many gross details nobody wants to know ahead of time.”
He shook his head and groaned. “Go torture your husband, will you? I have to get home.” He started for the elevator when Riley called his name, and he turned back.
“Madison just sent me a text. Judge has made his decision. She’s meeting her lawyer at the courthouse.”
TWELVE
Alex arrived at the courthouse too late to hear the judge’s decision. He walked through the double doors and found Jonathan gathering his papers and checking his messages.
“What’d I miss? And where is Madison?” he asked his friend.
Jonathan glanced up from his cell, looking Alex up and down. “You look like shit.”
“Nice. Thank you. I took an early flight from New York this morning. I haven’t had much sleep.” Not to mention, he’d been driving in circles trying to find Madison. “Now what happened here?”
“I can’t believe it, but we lost.”
“What?” Alex braced a hand on the tabletop.
“The judge said there wasn’t enough evidence to show undue influence; however, he felt that since Franny’s dementia signs started before she signed the power of attorney and living will, he should err on the side of the biological child.”
“Son of a bitch.” Alex could only imagine the pain Madison was experiencing. “How did she take it?”
Jonathan met his gaze. “Not well. I mean, she seemed off from the minute she got here, and the judge’s decision didn’t help. Add to that, as he was leaving, her bastard foster brother threatened to get a restraining order to keep her away from
his mother.”
Alex closed his eyes and groaned.
“I don’t think he could swing that. He didn’t prove anything against Madison in this hearing except that she wasn’t related by blood. Anyway, she said she needed to be alone and took off.”
Could this day go any more wrong? Alex wondered. “Thanks, man. I know you did the best you could.” He slapped his friend on the back.
Jonathan picked up his briefcase. “I’m just sorry it fell short.”
“Me too.”
Alex headed out to his car and started the engine, needing the air conditioning so he could think more clearly. Where would Madison go if she were upset? Right now, she was feeling abandoned by him, let down by the court, and rejected by her foster brother.
He called Riley only to find out she hadn’t heard from her at all. “She lost the hearing. I’m going to check her place. If you hear from her in between, call me.”
He disconnected the call.
He arrived at her apartment to find her car wasn’t in its spot and she wasn’t home. Instead of leaving, he settled in to wait.
* * *
Madison drove aimlessly, still in disbelief over the ruling. She’d always believed Franny’s wishes would be upheld. That the judge had decided blood was thicker really hurt. Doing her best no longer felt like it was enough.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A quick glance confirmed it was Alex. But she wasn’t ready to talk to him. She didn’t know what she wanted to say. She also didn’t want to go home to her empty apartment and dwell on the last twenty-four hours.