Page 49 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

“Okay. The custody hearing will take place next week,” Brad said. “It’s my understanding, Mrs. Carelli and her son will be away for Thanksgiving at a safe place.”

Joel stood, and Brad walked him to the door, leaving Morgan in her chair.

When he returned, Brad took hold of her hands and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry you had to be part of this mess.” He lifted her chin and planted his lips on hers.

Morgan clung to him, relieved to have him safely home. She wondered if she’d ever be able to relax until the hearing was over.

When they pulled apart, Brad said, “I hope you don’t mind that I was open with Joel about our dating relationship. I was making sure it wouldn’t be a problem for you. I know you’ve been concerned that it might end your job here.”

She hugged him tight. “No man has ever fought for me to be happy. You know I want it to work out between us, and you’ve allowed us to have that time.”

They kissed once more, then Morgan straightened her blouse and went back to her desk, prepared to work. Humming a happy little song wasn’t against anyone’s rules.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Morgan hurried home from the office to prepare for Brad’s overnight visit. He would come to her home after completing all his phone calls. Before then, she hoped to get the dogs outside and fed. It would make it less confusing when he arrived. Brad had suggested picking up some Italian food from their favorite restaurant in another effort to make things go smoothly in her small space.

As she was feeding the dogs, they stopped eating and, ears cocked, began barking together. Smiling, she went to the door and found Brad holding his overnight bag from his trip to New Jersey and a large paper bag with their dinner.

“That didn’t take you long to get here,” she said, ushering him inside.

“I couldn’t wait any longer.” He placed the paper bag on the counter, set down his suitcase, and pulled her into his arms, laughing as the dogs gathered around them.

When they pulled apart, she led him into the bedroom. “You can leave your suitcase here. If you need to hang up anything, there’s room in the closet. And I have counter space for your Dopp kit in the bathroom.”

“It’ll do nicely,” he said, taking off his blazer and rolling up his shirt sleeves. “Thanks. Before coming here, I reconfirmed with the security company, so I should be able to return home tomorrow night.”

“Have you heard anything more from Nick Carelli and his friends?” Morgan shuddered at the memory of the man who had handed her the envelope. There hadn’t been a sign of basic kindness in his face or manner.

“I’m off the case, so I don’t expect to have anything more to do with them,” Brad said. “I’ll make sure that my replacement has all my notes and facts. Nick’s wife deserves to have custody of their son.”

“Do you get many cases like this?” Morgan asked as she poured each of them a glass of a special red wine she’d recently bought.

“No,” he said. “The real heartbreak comes when neither parent wants their child, and they are placed in foster care. Some are given a chance for a better life, but the thought of not being wanted always hurts.”

Understanding from her own experiences, Morgan motioned for him to sit at the table and then took a seat opposite him. “How did you become involved in family law? You once told me you came from a strong family background.”

“I did, and that’s why. Growing up, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have kind, loving parents who supported my siblings and me. When I was old enough to understand what had happened to some other kids, I knew I wanted to pursue this career. That was especially true when I became friends with a boy in foster care. His situation was a happy one, but that isn’t always the case.”

“Are you sorry you and your wife didn’t have children?” Morgan asked.

“We’d talked about it, but as you know, it never happened. When the time is right, I’d like to have children of my own.” His gaze remained on her.

Morgan’s heartbeat raced at the longing look he settled on her. She didn’t talk about the baby she lost, but she’d never gotten over the loss. With the right man, she knew she wanted to try again, wanted to be able to hold a baby of her own.

One of the dogs barked, and the moment was shattered.

“Why don’t we take the dogs for their before-dinner outing, and then we can relax for the evening,” said Brad. “It’s a routine my dogs are used to.”

“Okay,” said Morgan. “I’ll carry Blue down the stairs. You might want to get Caesar. The one drawback to this apartment is the number of steps in the stairway. It’s the only entrance and is bad for their backs.”

“Sure thing,” said Brad, swooping up Caesar into his arms. Sid trailed him down the stairs, and then Morgan and Blue followed.

###

Outside, Mark was playing catch with Ben, while Ashley and Lizzy stood by. Seeing them, both of the kids stopped what they were doing and raced over to pet the dogs.

Ashley opened the gate to their backyard. “C’mon inside. The dogs can run and play for a while.”