Riptide (Renegades 6)

“Your gut is credible,” Josh said. “It’s not like you don’t have any experience with opportunists.”

“I’m pretty sure I should be offended by that statement.”

Josh just grinned. Then he looked at his phone. “I’m going to call Ellen, give her the story, and let you talk to her. But I know her, and her advice is sound. Don’t be surprised if she suggests that you stay cozied up to Tessa while you’re going through this.”

“That sounds like surefire trouble to me.”

“Think about what Grace said. Tessa has been in this girl’s life from day one. That’s going to weigh heavily in any court’s decision. If it were my kid and I’d already missed out on her first three years, I wouldn’t risk losing another minute. And I’d jump through hoops to prove to Tessa I was trustworthy and reliable and competent to be a good father. She’s got all the power in this situation, Zach. Your best move would be to establish a little muscle on your side in case you need it. And if I were you, I wouldn’t tell Tessa you’re consulting an attorney either.”

Zach closed his eyes and rubbed his face with a groan.

“Try to relax,” Josh said, dialing his phone. “Nothing’s going to happen until we have proof this kid is yours.”

Tessa stood out on the lanai, her phone at her ear, her heart in her throat. “Give it to me straight,” she told Sharon, a friend from law school who specialized in family law and the woman who’d drawn up the documents Tessa had taken to Zach for his signature. “What’s the worst-case scenario? I can’t lose her, right? I mean…”

She choked back the panic threatening to close her throat. She’d left Zach several voice mail messages, but he hadn’t responded. After she sent him numerous texts, he’d sent one back: I need time.

Her panic ticked higher with every hour that passed without a response. She’d convinced herself he’d consulted an attorney and was having custody documents drawn up now, right along with a custody hearing request.

She wished she’d never come to this godforsaken island. Wished she had been satisfied being Sophia’s guardian. It had been four days since she’d met him at the restaurant, and Tessa couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t focus.

“Your legal guardianship is ironclad,” Sharon said. “That said, he is still her biological parent. His rights as a parent aren’t automatically revoked just because he hasn’t been involved. So, yes, if he wants custody, it could get complicated. Worst-case scenario would be that he petitions the courts to revoke your guardianship, but he’d have to prove you’re not competent, and there’s nothing to support that.”

Tessa’s stomach bottomed out. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She might always have harbored an inkling of fear over this possibility, but she’d never truly believed it would happen. Now she was in the big fat middle of it, and the thought of losing Sophia made her feel like she was bleeding out.

“But, honestly,” Sharon said, “given what you’ve told me about him, about his career, he’d be an idiot to sue for sole custody. He couldn’t possibly believe he can care for a three-year-old little girl on his own. We also have Corinne’s letter and video with a dying declaration of who she wanted raising Sophia and why. That would go a long way with a judge.”

Jesus, she didn’t want this to go to a judge.

“There would have to be extreme extenuating circumstances to have your guardianship revoked or for Mr. Ellis to be granted full custody.”

Like hooking up with him while thinking he was someone else? Like leaving Sophia with a nanny while she was out screwing some stranger? She couldn’t bring herself to ask Sharon if that would be adequate grounds to revoke guardianship.

“Then there’s the evidence you’ve uncovered related to his callous disregard for both Corinne’s wishes and Sophia herself. Based on those facts, I can’t imagine a judge or jury taking Sophia out of your custody and putting her in his.”

“None of that is exactly comforting,” she said.

“Sweetie,” Sharon said, her tone sympathetic but edged with tough love, “you’re worrying about problems that don’t even exist.”

“Yet.”

“Yet,” Sharon agreed. “You need to focus your energy on making Mr. Ellis see that signing over his parental rights is in Sophia’s best interest. I’d advise you not to go in with a balls-of-steel attitude. It would be far less problematic if you win him over, because if you two go up against each other in court, it will take time and money to sort out the details. In the end, all three of you will be losers. I know how important she is to you. Now is the time to fight for her—with compassionate but firm gloves. Not later, not hard-core, and not in court.”

“Mommy,” Sophia said from the doorway, holding up her latest drawing. “Look what I made.” Tessa dropped into a crouch and held her free arm open. Sophia came to her and climbed into her lap. “This is Corinne.” She pointed to her raggedy clouds. “She’s in heaven. And this is us.”

On a strip of green, Sophia had drawn her typical stick figures depicting Tessa, Abby, and Sophia.

“That’s beautiful, baby.” She kissed Sophia’s head. Into the phone, she said, “Thanks, Sharon. I’ll call you when I have news.”

“You bet.”

She disconnected, set the phone aside, and pulled Sophia close. Tessa pressed her face to Sophia’s neck and tried to hold her as tight as she could without hurting her. It didn’t matter that Tessa hadn’t given birth to Sophia, she still felt physically connected to her, like their hearts were fused. The fear of losing Sophia wasn’t solely selfish. Tessa could overcome loss. But she truly wanted the very best life for Sophia. The one she’d promised Corinne she would provide even as her frien

d’s eyes had closed on her last breath.

Tears blurred Tessa’s vision. The pain of Corinne’s loss still cut deep.

“Why you crying, Mommy?” Sophia asked.