Page 28 of Brokered Betrayals

“Nada.” Royce tucked his phone away and blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m going to take you up on your generous offer. I don’t want to leave Sawyer and Darla, and I’m in no shape to drive. Do you promise to be polite if you’re able to talk to someone at Ivy’s office?”

Eddie clasped his shoulder. “I promise I won’t fuck this up for you, son. You take care of your little girl and let me see what’s going on at the law firm.”

His father’s steady gaze calmed his nerves. “Okay. I appreciate it.”

“Do you mind if Jo hangs around here until I get back?”

“Of course not. Send her back so she can meet Darla.”

They exchanged a fierce hug before going their separate ways. Royce’s spirit felt much lighter as he approached the nurses’ station.

Kitty looked up from her computer and smiled. “Is everything okay?”

“Maybe not,” Royce replied honestly. “Darla wasn’t interested in eating again. She tries to latch on or acts like she wants to, but cries when she tries to drink from her bottle. Like maybe she’s frustrated or hurting. Do you know when Dr. Edwards is expected to arrive?”

“Aww, bless her heart,” Kitty said. “Dr. Edwards is here now, visiting her newest patients. You should be next.”

Royce rapped his knuckles against the counter. “Perfect. Thank you.”

“Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, but thank you.”

Kitty leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Was that Evangeline O’Neal I saw entering your suite?”

Royce laughed. “Yes, she’s my mother-in-law.” The nurse blinked rapidly for a few minutes, and he could see her doing the math. Evangeline didn’t look old enough to be Sawyer’s mother, but he wasn’t even her oldest kid. Royce knew better than to say that part out loud. “She has fantastic genetics and probably mystical powers,” he whispered to Kitty.

She laughed. “I believe it.”

“You should stop in and meet her. She’s lovely.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. Not without spending an hour in the locker room to do my hair and makeup.”

Royce waved her off. “She’s not pretentious like that. No one makes you feel better about yourself than Evangeline.”

Kitty tilted her head as if considering his words. “Maybe if things stay quiet.” Her phone rang, and she pointed at it. “Just jinxed myself.”

“Good luck,” he said before walking away.

A tall Black woman in a lab coat stopped outside their suite as Royce approached. They’d only met her once when they were interviewing potential pediatricians, but they’d been drawn to her warm nature immediately. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you, Dr. Edwards,” he said. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

She arched a brow. “Is everything okay?”

“We’re concerned that Darla either doesn’t want to drink or wants to but can’t.” Royce opened the door and gestured for her to enter first. “We’ll feel much better after you’ve examined her.”

Sawyer greeted Dr. Edwards warmly and stood up to shake her hand. Royce stepped into the room and closed the door. Evangeline was too focused on her granddaughter to notice anything else.

“And you can be anyone you want to be, my love,” Evangeline said to the sleeping infant in her arms. “You can travel wherever you want to. Love whoever you want to. The sky is your limit.”

Sawyer placed a hand on his mother’s back. “I hate to interrupt, but Darla’s pediatrician is here to examine her newest patient.”

Dr. Edwards held out her hands and said, “May I?”

Evangeline tightened her hold ever so slightly before relinquishing her granddaughter with an exaggerated sigh. “If you must.”

Sawyer chuckled and hugged his mother. “I’m so glad you’re here.”