Page 26 of Brokered Betrayals

Evangeline placed a hand over her heart. “You’re such a gentleman.”

“Nah, I just don’t want to wear a bloody stump for the rest of my life.”

Evangeline laughed gleefully, and Darla blinked in response. After rubbing her hands together in delight, Evangeline opened her arms so Royce could transfer her granddaughter to them. “Oh, how I’ve prayed for this day.” Evangeline stared down at Darla’s face and ran her fingers over the tiny fist that had worked its way out of the swaddling. She sniffled and gently swayed from side to side. “How I’ve prayed for you.”

“She’s really something,” Eddie said. “I can’t wait to see what’s hiding under her little cap.”

“Curls for days,” Royce replied.

Evangeline snapped her head up. “Really? Can I have a little peek?”

Royce reached over and removed the knit hat to show off Darla’s black hair. The volume made him laugh. Eddie and Evangeline oohed and aahed until he replaced the hat.

“She’s absolutely precious,” Evangeline said. “And seems so peaceful.”

“Until you try to feed her,” Sawyer said. “She gets feisty then.”

“Some babies are pretty lethargic after birth,” Evangeline replied. “How many times have you tried to feed her?”

“Just twice. She managed only an ounce this last time.”

“Is she latching on?” Evangeline asked.

“Seems to, or at least the instinct is there,” Royce replied.

“Harper was a fussy eater,” Eddie told them. “I had pretty good luck with him. Want me to try?”

The offer warmed Royce’s heart. “Maybe if you’re here for her next feeding.” He checked the clock to gauge when that would be and realized it was already two o’clock, and they still hadn’t heard from Ivy or anyone else at her firm. What was taking them so long? Royce tried to set aside his rising frustration and enjoy the visit with their family.

“You might have the nurse or pediatrician make sure she doesn’t have a tongue tie,” Evangeline said. “I’d take a peek, but I don’t want to make her mad at me. Sawyer needed a lingual frenectomy when he was a baby. It’s pretty common.”

“What’s a tongue tie?” Eddie asked.

Evangeline opened her mouth and rolled her tongue back to expose the band of tissue connecting her tongue to the floor of her mouth. “Sometimes they’re too thick or too short, and it doesn’t allow the tongue to move. Darla might struggle to latch onto the nipple properly, or she could be in pain when she does.”

Sawyer moved over and stared down at their daughter. “I don’t want her to be in any pain. Maybe we should call the nurse to find out when Dr. Edwards is going to get here for her initial visit.”

Royce stood up and said, “I need to stretch my legs and make a phone call. I’ll head over to the nurses’ station and ask.” Sawyer’s eyes darted to the clock, and Royce knew he was worried sick about the lack of communication. Healthy newborns were often sent home a day, sometimes two, after their delivery. If Darla checked off all the boxes, the pediatrician could sign off on sending her home, but they couldn’t take her from the hospital without the legal documents. It wouldn’t do either of them any good to get worked up, so he sent reassuring vibes Sawyer’s way. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

He’d almost reached the nurses’ station when Eddie caught up with him.

“Sawyer told us what’s going on with the lawyer,” Eddie said. “How can I help?”

“I’m not sure. We’ve only managed a catnap after being up all night, and my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders. I stepped out here to figure something out.”

“Call your lawyer again now. If you don’t get an answer, I’ll drive over there and talk to someone.” When Royce opened his mouth to protest, Eddie raised his hands. “I won’t raise hell or embarrass you. I’ll just make sure someone there knows that Darla was born this morning and you guys need them to send the legal paperwork to the courthouse.” He cocked his head to the side. “Does Kelsey’s lawyer have copies of the same paperwork?”

“I don’t know, Eddie. Maybe. They’d have copies of everything we signed, and they’d get copies of the documents filed in court. I doubt they’d file the papers on our behalf. Miguel doesn’t represent us.”

“Good point. I didn’t think of that.”

“Besides, I don’t want to disturb Kelsey right now. She’s supposed to come for a visit after she’s rested.”

“Was her delivery tough?” Eddie asked.

“I think they all are. Damn, I can’t imagine how painful that is.”