Page 110 of Wasted

She needed more help than Victoria could give her. Sydney most needed the Lord—the healing and strength only He could provide. But in the meantime, perhaps Robert could help.

He should be outside Victoria’s house right now. He was taking the first half of the night watching Victoria’s house while Cillian shadowed Clinton Glenn.

Victoria waited until Sydney’s self-talk lulled her to sleep, her head resting on Max’s large belly as it rose and fell with his even breaths. Then Victoria quietly snuck out of the house, not bothering to grab her coat for the quick jog across the empty street to Robert’s parked car.

The sound of the door’s unlocking signaled he’d seen her coming.

She bent to wave at him before she opened the passenger door and slipped inside the warm car. “At least you weren’t sleeping.”

He grinned at her. “Now what kind of guardian would I be if I slept on the job?” He lifted a silver thermos. “I brought lots of coffee.” Lowering the drink, he adopted a faux serious expression. “Besides, I honestly think your boyfriend would beat me up if I let anything happen to you.”

“Wh—” Shock and dismay froze her voice.

Robert laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you speechless before. Or with your mouth gaping open.”

She shut it at once. “I’ve never heard anything so grossly inaccurate and entirely inappropriate until now.”

“I’ll bet.” His twinkling eyes said he didn’t buy it.

“I trust you only said that to get a rise out of me. You know we are not dating or in a romantic relationship of any kind.”

He dipped his head toward her with a raised eyebrow. “Does Cillian know that?”

She scrambled for an evasive, yet honest answer but couldn’t find one in her flustered thoughts. In any case, nothing would be able to convince her psychiatrist brother that he’d misinterpreted Cillian’s attitude toward her. “As fun as this late-night banter is, I braved the cold to speak with you about Sydney.”

“Okay. Subject change accepted.” He nodded and placed the thermos in his cup holder. “What about Sydney?”

“Did you notice anything concerning when you met her tonight?”

“Vicki, I only talked to her for two minutes at most.”

“I know, but you’re a professional. I’d like your opinion.”

“Okay.” He looked out the windshield at the still night. “Well, she’s young to be an unwed mother. Her maturity and emotional development seem to be a little shy of her age, suggesting some trauma in her life. Which, given her situation, wouldn’t be surprising. She seems to trust you a lot and doesn’t show fear of men or strangers.” He glanced at Victoria. “Is that what you wanted to know?”

“Somewhat. I’m concerned she’s developed too much of a dependency on the man who fathered her child.”

“Ah. The AWOL dad.”

“She’s convinced he loves her because he told her so, and he apparently promised to marry her, as well.”

Robert winced. “Poor kid. Do you know who he is?”

“No. That’s another problem. He made her promise not to tell anyone his identity.”

“Probably married.”

Victoria nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“He’ll never show up, if that’s the case. Especially now that there’s a child involved.”

“Exactly. But Sydney is anchoring all her hopes on the belief that he will appear and marry her and love her. She thinks he’ll support her and the baby as a happy family.”

“Oh, man.”

Victoria shifted to face Robert. “I’m worried that when she has the baby, and he doesn’t materialize, she’ll finally realize he doesn’t love her and that he lied to her. She’s had so much rejection in her life, I’m afraid it might demoralize her so much that she won’t be able to care for herself and the baby.”

“It’s a realistic possibility, unfortunately.” Robert’s grave expression mirrored what Victoria was feeling. “Want me to talk to her?”