Page 103 of Cause and Effect

“Excuse me,” I shouted, banging on the steel bars. “I want my phone call.”

The burly security guard walked over and looked at me.

“Come on, Charlie. You know I get a phone call regardless of what Judge McCray said. By the way. How is your wife feeling?”

“A lot better. Thanks for suggesting she see Dr. Christian Kind. He’s really been taking good care of her.”

“Good.” I smiled. “Stick with him, and your wife will be in good hands.” I held out my hand for his phone.

He reached into his pocket and handed it to me. “Make it quick.”

“I will.” I smiled, took the phone, and sat down on the bench. I dialed Julian.

“Julian Hamilton.”

“Hey, babe. It’s me.”

“Laurel? Whose phone are you calling me from?”

“Charlie, the security guard. Judge McCray is holding me in contempt and threw me in a jail cell overnight. Please make sure you take care of the girls.”

“Jesus, Laurel. Not tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

“Uh, well. It’s a Friday night, and I made dinner reservations for us.”

“Sorry, babe. I’m afraid we’ll have to do dinner tomorrow night.”

“How much is the fine?” he asked.

“I don’t know yet. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow morning.” Charlie stuck his hand through the bars. “I have to go. Charlie needs his phone back. I love you. Tell the girls I love them, and I’ll see them tomorrow.”

“I love you too, babe.” He sighed.

I ended the call and gave Charlie his phone back.

“I’m sorry, Laurel.”

“It’s my fault. I went off the rails.” I smiled.

I sat back down and placed my hand on my belly. “Sorry, little one. I know it’s not an ideal sleeping place, but Mama got us in trouble.”

I found out yesterday that I was pregnant—that another human life was growing inside me—a baby that Julian and I created out of love. Okay, it was an accident, but nonetheless, I was very happy about it. I was going to tell Julian tonight over dinner. Now, I’d have to wait until tomorrow.

A few hours had passed, and I was bored out of my mind. I took off my shoes and paced around the small cell, thinking about Julian, the girls, and my big, comfy bed that would miss me tonight. I shouldn’t have yelled at the judge as I did, but I couldn’t help it. My hormones were all over the place. I turned my head when I heard what sounded like a cart being rolled across the floor. Gripping the bars, I extended my neck to see what was happening and saw Julian approaching my cell, rolling what looked like a small table covered in a white tablecloth.

“Julian?” My brows furrowed.

“Since you can’t be home for dinner, I brought dinner to you.” He grinned.

“How?”

“Simon did me a favor. Hey, Charlie. Can you let me in there?”

“Of course, Mr. Hamilton.”

“I ordered your favorites from Four Kinds.” He lifted the lids off the plates.

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