Page 35 of Beyond Perfect

“That DFS will probably come tomorrow to get him.”

“You don’t think Jackson made the call for us to keep him temporarily?”

“Oh, he probably contacted DFS. But not to ask for us to keep Freddie.”

“Are you going to work tomorrow? I can reschedule my sessions.”

“I’m suspended, remember.”

“Ah. Then we just wait.”

“I guess.” Disentangling himself from Freddie, he stood and picked up the boy. They’d put him in the room in between hers and Caleb’s. “I’ll take him up.”

Her heart clutched as she watched them leave. Oh, God, they’d come for him. She didn’t want that.

When Caleb came back, he studied her. “What’s wrong?”

“I want to keep him.”

“I know, honey.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“We can ask DCF if we can be emergency care designees.”

“We’re not certified.”

“It’s only emergency fostering. Given the circumstances, and that we’re a respected psychologist and an established teacher, it might fly.”

An ember of hope sparked inside her.

“As for after that, we’ll see. It would buy us some time.”

They talked some more then went to bed.

Early the next day, the doorbell rang. Maisy answered it. A beleaguered man stood before her. “Maisy Shepherd?”

“Yes.”

“I’m from DCF. May I come in?”

Oh, God, it was happening. Well, not without a fight. Not without a fight.

Chapter 6

Jackson awoke on the floor. His head pounded and every muscle in his body ached. He almost didn’t recognize that he had a hangover. He hadn’t had one since his youth. Taking in a breath, he managed to grab onto the couch and stand. The world spun.

But he had to get to school to teach Maisy’s class. Social Studies was first today. Boy, had he fucked things up. By suspending Maisy to begin with. By his actions with Frankie.

By making love with her.

At least you called DFS. Got Maisy emergency foster care.Had they let her know that? He couldn’t call her. He could barely think straight. But after he’d showered and changed and forced himself to eat breakfast of dry Cheerios and coffee, he headed to school.

Harry stood when he walked into the office. “You okay? You’re always here before everybody.”

“Not exactly. But I’ll live.”

“Are you still taking Maisy’s class? If you don’t feel up to it, I’ll stay with them until a sub can come in.”

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