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GEORGIA

T he following morning I’m sipping my coffee and checking my e-mails when Cade calls.

“Hey you,” he says, voice all low and sexy.

“Hey back.”

“I’m sorry I fell asleep last night waiting for you to get off work.”

“I figured as much. Congratulations on another win. Looks like you’re going to the playoffs.”

“Looks that way. We’d have to screw up pretty badly to get booted. It sounds awfully quiet over there. Where’s the little munchkin?”

“He’s with Mama and Ava. They took him to the stable where Daddy’s shoeing a couple of horses. I decided not to go, and took the morning off for some me-time.”

“I’m glad. How was work last night?”

“Slow, but at least Eric and I got caught up on the gossip.”

He chuckles. “I miss you, Gigi.”

I swallow. “I miss you too.”

“Listen Georgia. I have something important to discuss. I’d much rather it be in person but at the moment, that’s not an option. Please let me get through the explanation before you flip out.”

My stomach sinks. “Sounds serious,” I say, not hiding the trepidation in my voice.

“Yes and no. It’s all in how you look at it.”

“Well? What?” I say impatiently.

“I met with a lawyer yesterday before I left town, about August and custody arrangements,” he says quietly. My blood runs cold. “My family made some excellent points and I managed to squeeze the appointment in since I’m traveling and playing ball almost every day until playoffs. I didn’t want to but when Quinn talked about how legal documentation and spelling things out protects August, especially if something were to happen to me, I thought that was a good enough argument and it made a lot of sense.”

I stay silent my hands shaking. I’m certainly not going to make this easier for him.

“Georgia?”

“Hm?”

“Listen I know this is hard for you, but let me explain further. The lawyer made a point. She says a clear legal agreement provides stability and predictability. It clarifies our expectations and responsibilities, kind of like a roadmap. The financial piece is important for Auggie’s security. Don’t you want peace of mind? What if God forbid, something was to happen to either of us? It ensures we both have our rights and interests represented.”

“Cade, do you honestly think we need a lawyer for that? I thought we trusted each other. You said you wouldn’t do anything without discussin’ it with me first.”

“Georgia we’re just the blind leading the blind. Why do you think I’m doing this? It’s because I’m committed to you and Auggie. My intentions are in the best interest of both of you. We can work together with a mediator to help us navigate. They’re professionals with training. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Easy for you to say. You want to take my son on some fancy vacation, away from his mama who he’s hardly spent a night away from all his life and then only with his Mamaw and Papaw! I know that’s what this is about. You want control and equal say. I said no, and you and Wendy can’t stand it. Her paw prints are all over this!” My voice is getting higher and more strident as I continue. “No matter that you weren’t even in the picture for the last eighteen months. I’m supposed to happily relinquish my rights to my precious baby!”

“Calm down.”

I grit my teeth. “How dare you tell me to calm down like I’m some crazy person! I will not calm down. You’re going to have a fight on your hands if you think I’m going to be sidelined. Tell your mother that I won’t let her manipulate this situation.”

“Georgia, the last thing I want to do is to create drama. I’m trying to protect our child’s future. I’d think you’d want the same.”

“I didn’t want you in our lives at all!”

“Ouch,” he says, voice strained. “Sorry, that I’ve ruined your life.” The vulnerability in his voice barely registers, I’m in fight or flight mode.

“Of all the damn luck I had to go shopping that day,” I say, defiantly ignoring the inner voice saying don’t say something you’ll regret later.

I hear Cade sigh. “I’m not going to respond. I know you’re hurt and feel that I’ve betrayed you, but I haven’t. When you come to your senses we’ll talk again. Now I’ve got to get to practice.”

“Enjoy your playtime ,” I say dripping with sarcasm.

“Whatever. Bye, Georgia.”

I hang up the phone and throw myself onto my bed, bury my face in my pillow and wail uncontrollably. A long while later, after I’ve cried out every last drop, I roll onto my back and stare blankly at the ceiling. Thanks to the “feel-good hormones” I feel drugged, like nature intended after a good cry.

I hear Mama and Ava return and get up to splash cold water on my face before greeting them. My face is blotchy, my nose rivals Rudolf’s, and my eyes are puffy. Nowhere to hide. I reluctantly leave the sanctuary of my bedroom.

“Hey Mama, Ava,” I say reaching for my baby boy who is reaching right back. Ava looks at me strangely as she hands over August.

“Mama, mama, mama,” he says joyfully, hugging me around my neck.

“Did you pet the horses?” I ask, my stuffy nose making me sound nasal.

“Yesh. Me wide.”

I arch my brows. “Did you get to ride?”

His little face bobs up and down. “Yesh.”

“Wow!” I hug him fiercely and then put him down before turning to face the firing squad.

Mama says, “What in the world?”

“Let me make us some tea then we can gather round the table,” I say trying to postpone the inevitable.

Ava says, “You sit. I’ll get the kettle going.” I can hardly take the concern I see in their expressions. I wonder how long these feel-good hormones from my crying jag are gonna last.

I set Auggie up with some blocks and a few cars, not the ones from Cade , and sit across from Mama at my tiny kitchen table. Ava puts the kettle on and then sits next to Mama.

Mama squints at me and drawls, “Well? What’d he do?”

I’m surprised at my knee-jerk reaction to defend Cade. But I don’t voice it. “He hired a lawyer to get joint custody and I’m about to get served.” Ava’s eyes go wide and Mama gasps.

“What?!” Mama exclaims. “I knew it! He’s a jackal in disguise is all he is. Coming in all smooth and suave, innocent as a lamb.” Mama is getting more and more fired up as she continues. “I swear, if he had a brain cell it would die of loneliness! What in hell tarnation was he thinking? You’ve cooperated and given him everything he’s asked for. That lawyer is probably drooling over the thought of takin’ his money.”

“Good. I hope she takes him to the cleaners,” Ava says.

I’m confusing myself because the more they talk the more I want to take up for Cade. Maybe I am that crazy lady.

“W-e-l-l,” I drawl slowly, “not everything. He did ask if he could take August on a family vacation in the off-season and I said absolutely no way in hell.”

“That was an unreasonable request!” Mama huffs. “The nerve that he’d even ask.”

The kettle whistles and Ava gets up to pour the hot water over our Kentucky blend tea bags, returning with the tray. While she tends to our tea, Mama continues her rant.

“I knew he’d show his true colors sooner than later.”

Ava says, “I’m sure you feel all sorts of betrayed. I’m sorry, sis.”

I feel my eyes welling up again. “I’m so hurt,” I agree. “I trusted him, I reckon maybe I’m the one with the lonely brain cells. He told me he’d never do anything about August without talking to me first. I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You’ve just got a big heart is all. Don’t you dare make this your fault. This is about a snake in the grass. Now we have to get organized. I’m calling Darla,” Ava says pulling out her cell.

As we wait for the receptionist to ring her through, Ava says, “Thank God we have a lawyer in the family.” Next thing I know our sister Darla is on speakerphone and they’re talking at the same time.

“Hold on, one at a time please,” Darla says laughing.

Ava says, “Georgia is getting served.”

“By who?”

“Who do ya think? Cade. He wants joint custody.”

I’m beginning to squirm a little thinking just maybe I didn’t report things factually. I might have misrepresented the conversation a wee bit.

I clear my throat. “He didn’t exactly use those words. He said he’d contacted a lawyer to spell things out to protect Auggie and me. He said especially if something were to happen to either of us that the financial piece is important for Auggie’s security.”

“He’s right, you know,” Darla says.

“But he promised to tell me before he made any decisions about us. I feel betrayed,” I say sounding pitiful.

“He did tell you.”

“After the damn fact,” Ava says.

Darla counters, “If I’m not mistaken, he is pretty busy right now. He probably has to squeeze everything in.”

Mama says, “Quit being so damn logical. This is your sister’s rights he’s trampling all over!”

“Everyone, calm down. You’re letting your emotions override logic. He’s not trampling over anyone’s rights. As the father, he has rights too… or did we forget that inconvenient fact?”

“Whose side are you on?” Ava says.

“Georgia’s of course. Why wouldn’t you want to secure Auggies future? Sounds like that is all he’s trying to do.”

Mama snorts. “Your memory seems to have failed you. This is the same man that ran out on Georgia two years ago. Left her heartbroken. Now he swoops in and wants to be a father?”

Darla sighs. “Mama, trust me, this is in Auggie and Georgia’s best interest. Georgia will have a say in how custody arrangements are divided. Cade is not wrong here. Surely you saw this coming? Neither he nor Georgia can rely on a handshake forever. That would be foolish.”

Mama frowns. “You’ll represent your sister, right?”

“You know I will. And you’ll butt out and quit stirring the pot, right?” Darla says sweetly.

Mama sputters. “Why, I never!”

“Good to hear,” she says humorously. “Georgia, call me when you get the papers. You have nothing to worry about, hear me?”

“If you say so.”

“I do. Now drop the subject for now and quit your worrying.”

Ava says, “Thanks, sis. We’ll talk later and I promise I’ll try to be good and I’ll make Mama toe the line.”

“I’ve got a client waiting so I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Welcome. Bye-e-e.” After we disconnect, the three of us stare at each other.

“We may not trust Cade, but we do trust Darla,” I finally say.

“I reckon we’ll wait and see how it all comes out in the wash,” Mama says.

“Maybe I was a little too hard on Cade,” Ava says.

Mama sniffs. “Now let’s not go overboard. We’ll see whose interests he’s tryin’ to protect, all in due time.”

I say, “Ya know, he could’ve left the grocery store pretending like he never saw August, but he didn’t. I can tell he loves him. I still think it’s shady that he did all this right before leavin’ town without warning me but maybe I’m looking at it wrong.”

“You aren’t,” Mama says.

“We don’t know yet. I reckon once the dust settles, you’ll hear him out,” Ava says.

I stubbornly shake my head. “Nope. I’ll see him in court.”

Ava’s eyes widen. “You mean you’re not going to let him see August until then?”

“You heard right.”

“Cruella,” Ava says.

“I’m scared to see him again. He’s got some sort of power over me and I can’t trust him. I have to protect myself. I’m afraid he’ll talk me into something I’ll regret.”

“Give yourself some credit. He didn’t convince you about the vacation. You’re not some shrinking violet.”

“I know but I’m weak with him.”

Mama’s expression softens and her eyes are overly-bright. “Because you love him.”

I cover my face with my hands. Muffled I say, “God help me, I do.”

I start crying until Auggie says, “Mama cry?” That snaps me out of it.

“Mama’s fine, baby boy.” He waddles over and pats my thigh like he’s comforting a child, and I laugh. “Could you be any more adorable my little snuggle bunny?” I say picking him up to sit on my lap. We finish our tea as August entertains us and brings joy back to the table.