Page 18 of Beachside Kisses With My Best Friend

“While I’m glad you had the kind of relationship with your son’s mother to allow for that, it does make it a bit tricky, as I’m told the mother’s will didn’t say anything about you. She only mentioned wanting her parents to have custody. But of course, as Ryder’s father, you have rights too.”

I squeeze Jordan’s hand.

But he doesn’t look my way. He’s frowning. “While I can appreciate their position, the truth is that he’s my son. If I can provide for him, and especially if I’m willing to allow them to have a relationship with him, I don’t understand why they think they have any sort of legal right to even partial custody.”

“Honestly, I’m surprised their attorney was willing to entertain the petition, but some people will do anything for a buck.” Sam shakes his head. “There have been a few cases—and they had extenuating circumstances—in which a deceased parent was able to appoint a guardian other than the secondary parent, but neglect of some sort had to be proven first.”

“And Jordan is the best dad in the world, so that’s going to be impossible.” I smile at Jordan and flash him a satisfied look that I hope says,See? It’s going to be okay.

He sends a look back my way that’s all soft around the edges. I could sink into that look.

My stomach twists.

“While I appreciate your ringing endorsement, Marilee, with the allegations the Comers have raised?—”

“What allegations, exactly?” Jordan’s eyebrows bunch together.

“Accusations of poor parenting decisions.” Sam flips through the papers until settling on one. “It says here that you frequently keep your child out late when he should be in bed. A Fourth of July festival was cited?”

I sit up straighter. “Everyone was out late that night. That’s a terrible example.”

“And the Comers say they are frequently asked last minute to watch Ryder for you, and he’s left there overnight most of the time?” Sam studies Jordan. “Is that true?”

“I’m a single dad, and I own a business. So yeah, sometimes I have to ask them to help out. But they’ve told me they don’t mind. They know my parents aren’t capable all of the time of watching him for me, and I often lead adventure tours all day and sometimes overnight, especially in the spring and summer.”

“That’s good information to know. Your business is relatively new, correct?”

“It’s about six years old.”

“Which means it’s probably just starting to turn a real profit only in the last year or two?”

“Yes.” Jordan draws the word out, slow, like a string of molasses suspended in the air.

“Have you ever had trouble paying your bills?”

Jordan scratches his neck. “I had to push a rent payment or two at the very beginning, but other than that, no.”

He did? I didn’t know that. I frown. “Sam, believe me when I say that you’re not going to find a more trustworthy or honest person than Jordan Carmichael. He’s as steady and stable as they come.”

Sam sighs. “I believe you, Marilee, but I happen to know this attorney, and I have to warn you that she’s a shark. She will take anything and spin it out of proportion. We’ve got a judge who is new to the area assigned to this case, so I’m not quite sure how he’s going to react when there are examples of what could be perceived as neglect.”

Squeaking with indignation, I start to protest. He holds up his hand before I can get any words out. “So while I don’t think it’s very likely the Comers’ request will be granted, I just need to let you know that there’s a tiny chance.”

“So.” Jordan’s got a death grip on my hand. “That’s it, then? There’s nothing we can do?”

“I didn’t say that. If you agree to engage my services?—”

“I do. Done.” Jordan leans forward slightly, nodding. “I don’t care what it costs. I’m not letting them take my son, even for part of the time. They might poison him against me for all I know. Or have different ways of doing things. This whole petition thing is proof of that.”

“I understand completely.” Sam sits back in his chair and steeples his fingers over his stomach. “What we need to do is use the next four and half weeks to make you look like the most stable guy on the planet. Job, friendships, community involvement—it’s all important. And relationship status too.” He glances between us. “The two of you aren’t by chance engaged, are you?”

I blink at Sam’s question. It’s not like he’s the first to assume Jordan and I are a couple, and I could see how the way we’re holding hands would throw him off. “Oh. Um.”

Jordan coughs. “Uh?—”

“Because if so, being engaged is good, but being married is even better. A marriage would go a long way in showing just how stable things are in your home. Shows you’re not afraid of commitment. Especially since, as I understand it—and I’m not judging here, but the Comers’ attorney just might—you never were in an actual relationship with Ryder’s mom.”

The words pinch something inside of me. I can see it now, Jordan’s reputation being publicly torn to shreds over one decision. I know how that feels. At least his decision led him to Ryder. I wasn’t so lucky. But then again, people warned me. Over and over again, I turned a blind eye to Donny and what he was.

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