Best Laid Plans (The Best Girls 4)

n Jace’s case, you’re currently the only option other than foster care. But to be honest, if I feel your fiancée isn’t ready to be a parent, it would be better for Jace to be in foster care. He’s already lost two parents. It would be tragic for him to bond with Olivia and then lose her because the two of you divorced.”

Josh felt his face turning red, and he fought to control his temper. “I understand.” He clenched his fists until his fingernails dug little crescents into his palm. “So what do I need to do to convince you my wife and I would be the best option for the children?”

Drew didn’t respond immediately, flipping through the papers in his chart. “Pardon me while I check something.” He opened his laptop, tapping rapidly on the keys, his brows furrowed in concentration. Finally, he looked up from the screen with an intense, scrutinizing stare.

“This isn’t an easy case. Optimally, the children would grow up together in the same home. You could be the best option, but I do have some misgivings about saddling a newlywed couple with two children, no matter how noble your intentions may be. Additionally, you have a distinct disadvantage because you don’t have a relationship with Jace and Chloe.” He leaned forward. “But here’s my plan. When we go before the judge on Thursday, I’m going to recommend both children be placed with you for two weeks beginning Sunday. This would give both you and the children a chance to spend time together.”

“What about school for Jace?” asked Josh.

“His temporary foster home is here in Manhattan. He’s already enrolled in school, so you’ll be responsible for getting him to and from school for a week until Christmas break.” He cocked his head. “It’s no different from what you’d have to do if you obtained custody in February. And you’ll have to arrange childcare for the time you’re working, of course.”

“Yes, yes. Of course,” Josh said, while the wheels spun in his head. He had so many preparations to make.

Olivia raised her hand, and Drew smiled at the action, “Yes, Olivia? You have a question?”

“Well, we don’t actually live together. Is that okay? I mean I can be at Josh’s place most of the time, except at night.”

“That’s fine. I’m surprised, but I don’t think it matters, as long as you’re together most of the time. Now, let’s see—”

“One other thing,” Olivia interrupted, raising her hand again. “I’m supposed to go skiing with friends the week before Christmas.”

“Out of the state, I assume?”

“Yes, Colorado.”

“Well, it complicates things, but I’ll work it out. You should be able to take the children with you. We’ll need to have medical release forms. Hopefully, you won’t need them, but if Jace goes skiing—”

“Oh!” Olivia’s mouth was as wide as her eyes. Josh hurried to speak before she admitted they hadn’t been planning to go together. He grabbed her hand.

“We’ll work it out. It would be fun to take Jace skiing.”

“But—”

“I’m a great skier, so I could teach him.” He caught her eyes in a silent plea for silence.

“We’ll get all these details worked out, then,” Drew said. “And one other thing. No matter who gets custody of Chloe, I think it’s important you and the Parsons develop a relationship, as well. If you had custody of both children, the Parsons would still want to spend time with their granddaughter.”

“But not their grandson?” Josh asked, bitterly.

Warner pressed his lips together in a grim line. “I realize you resent the Parsons for rejecting Jace. But if you were to have custody of Chloe, you’d need to have a friendly relationship with them, despite your opinion. Can you do that?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied, with as much contrition as he could muster.

“Okay then... Until Thursday.” He stood, stuck out his hand, and delivered a firm shake to each of them before disappearing.

Olivia remained seated, obviously still shaken. “Josh, this is happening a little too fast for me. What are you going to do with the kids while we’re working? I can’t afford to take off work, and we’re short-handed anyway.”

“Don’t worry,” he said, taking her by the arm to drag her out of the office. “I’ll take care of everything. I’ll work something out.”

“And I don’t want to cancel going on the ski trip.” They fell into step on the sidewalk.

“Maybe you could just invite me to come along.”

“But Steven Gherring’s paying for everything. We’re all going on his jet and staying in a great big house. I can’t just invite you and two kids to go on the ski trip with me.”

“Let me talk to him. Maybe I’ll just level with him. I can trust him to keep a secret. But I won’t make you miss the ski trip. If we can’t tag along, I’ll go to plan B.”

“What’s that?”