Page 27 of Wed to You

“Anything that makes you appear like you’re offering a stable, supportive, loving environment will help. There is a bias toward mothers and two caregivers. Whether what you offer can outweigh what the biological mother can depends on what she brings to the table.”

“This is…” Jagger was unable to articulate his frustration and deep fear. “She abandoned him. I was always there. Always.”

Mrs. Monroe reached out and patted his hand. “I know.” Her eyes narrowed and took on a warrior’s gaze. “I think you have a good case. I can’t promise anything, but I can see you’re ready, willing, and able to fight for the well-being of this child.”

Jagger nodded.

“Have you considered returning to New York? I imagine your family has a lot of influence and that’s where your custody order is from.”

Jagger noted the emphasis on the word “influence,” as if the Talbots could buy judges. He didn’t respond to it. Instead, he shook his head. “That’s where I had all my ‘shenanigans,’” he said, using her word. “And I want Kaden to have a normal childhood. That can’t happen in New York.”

“Then, if she files, let’s fight. The burden is on her to show her fitness and to overcome her past. That’s in your favor. Once she files, the court will schedule an appearance, which is usually within a few weeks of her filing, but I’ll see what I can do to move it up. Let’s see if we can’t get some control over this situation. We’ll put her on the defensive.”

Jagger nodded. “Whatever it takes.”

“How is she financially, do you know?”

“I know she doesn’t have any of my grandfather’s money. She forfeited it when she cheated on my grandfather. I don’t know if she has a job. I don’t even know where she’s living. Her car is a heap, so I suspect money is tight.”

“Then we might want to see about drawing this custody battle out as long as possible. The longer it goes, the more she has to pay in attorney’s fees.”

“Whatever it takes.” Jagger’s gut clenched at the thought of losing Kaden.

“You’re in for a difficult time, Mr. Talbot, but if anyone can show their commitment to a child, it’s clearly you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Monroe. I appreciate it.”

She stood. “Right now, we wait and see what she does. If you’re served papers, call me right away.”

Jagger rose and reached out his hand to shake hers. “I will.”

After Jagger saw Mrs. Monroe to her car, he headed to the kitchen to refill his lemonade and then made his way back to the terrace. He’d chosen a lawyer who was sympathetic to his situation of being only a guardian, and she wasn’t afraid to fight. The feisty attorney had given him hope. Even so, she was cautious about his chance of success.

“I take it the meeting didn’t go well.” Grayson stood in the doorway of the patio.

“I think we’ll give Tanya a hell of a fight if she files for custody, but a single nephew has little chance against a mother, apparently.”

“Even after all the drugs and abandoning him?”

“If she’s got her life together now, yes.”

“That’s disappointing.”

That’s an understatement.What he needed to do was figure out a way to build up the positives of his side. What he had going for him was that he’d always been in Kaden’s life. He’d put Kaden first when charged with his care and he had the financial resources to care for him, although technically, Kaden’s trust would care for him whoever he lived with. Jagger scowled. Was that what Tanya was after? Kaden’s money? It was something to look into.

Tanya had a lot going against her, but being the mother apparently trumped all. What could Jagger do to defend against that? He wasn’t Kaden’s father. But he could give Kaden a family unit. What did Mrs. Monroe say? Courts like two-parent homes? Maybe he could give Kaden that.

He scoffed and shook his head. Although he hadn’t put all his effort into it, the short time he’d been open to meeting a woman he could spend his life with hadn’t gone well. The one who might have worked was now married to Mitch. The other one, Mitch told him to stay away from.

But with Kaden’s custody on the line, Jagger knew he needed to put his own wants and needs on the back burner. What he needed was a mother figure the court would like.

“Jagger.” Kaden ran out onto the patio.

“Hey, Big K.” He scooped the boy into his lap. “Whatcha got?”

“Can we put this on the wall?” Kaden held up his certificate of promotion to first grade.

“Sure. We’ll put it in a frame and hang it in the most prestigious place in the house.”

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