Page 18 of Deny Me
“We’ll figure something out by then.” Elliot’s gaze shifted from Charlotte to Becky, seeming to want to reassure them both. “In the meantime…let’s really get to know one another.”
They discussed Becky’s family situation, which was nil. Her father had no relatives, and her mother had left long before. The girl was on her own.
Well, not totally on her own. Charlotte patted Becky’s swollen ankle gently.
“What about my dad?” Becky asked hesitantly. “What if he comes back?”
Elliot leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “He’s on the run and will likely stay that way—he has not only the cops looking for him, but whoever he took the money from as well. If he does come back, he’ll be arrested for attempted murder. You do not have to worry about him at all. We will keep you safe—from him or any other threat that makes itself known, okay?”
“Becky.” Charlotte waited till the girl’s eyes met hers. “We can also talk to Wes and see what would be involved in declaring you an emancipated minor, or if that even needs to happen since you’ll be a mother. Whatever we need to do, we’ll sever the ties with your dad. I promise.” They had all the evidence they’d need now.
Becky nodded.
There was no reason to go back to the trailer, thank goodness. School was also taken care of—CF had set her up in an online high school earlier in her pregnancy so she didn’t have to drop out when the baby came. She could study at home and get her diploma. A laptop already waited on a desk in one corner of the room. Charlotte knew for a fact that Becky was well ahead in her classes and would likely graduate early.
CF had its own education expert, one of many people on Charlotte’s staff who offered their expertise to help those in need. Counseling, medical, education, legal, financial assistance to families who wanted to adopt but couldn’t afford the fees. Babies had begun Charlotte’s interest in adoptions, but the people she’d met, on both sides of the equation, had quickly come to mean just as much to her.
“All right, Charlotte, on to you.” Elliot’s serious gaze swept her way.
She’d never analyzed how she spent her days; she’d just spent them. “I mostly work at CF.” Weekdays, weekends, it didn’t really matter. There was plenty to do and, as with most nonprofits, not enough hands to do it, although Charlotte had far more resources than most.
“Long hours,” her mom put in.
Charlotte grimaced. So she was a workaholic. “I’m not president of the organization in name only. I try to stay as hands-on as I can with every client. Every family.” It was important.
What else? “I sometimes have events I need to attend, fundraising for CF or other nonprofits.”
“Anything coming up in the next few weeks?” Elliot asked.
“A couple of things. I can download my calendar for you.”
“That would work. I’ll need your contact list while you’re at it. We can go through it together and discuss who is close enough to consider for access. What about personal involvement—any boyfriends?”
Becky gave a little giggle beside her. It was such a teen thing to do that Charlotte couldn’t help but grin.
She didn’t notice her mother leaning forward. “Well,” Mom said, “Wes is—”
“A close friend.” Charlotte shot her mother a warning look.
“Very close.”
She fought not to roll her eyes. How did they get from her daily routine to the Wes-is-great-husband-material argument? One could only pray they didn’t bring the subject up with King in the room. Her ex and his first cousin—God, wouldn’t that be awkward?
She looked to Elliot, seeing a hint of amusement in the quirk of the woman’s lips. “No boyfriends.”
The amusement got the better of Elliot—she smirked. “Okay, no boyfriends.”
Charlotte’s answering grin slowly faded as Elliot began quizzing her mom on household details and routines.No boyfriends.Wes had made it clear that he would move beyond the friendship stage with her at the slightest signal, but he deserved far more than she could ever give him. Than she could ever give anyone. The dream of a relationship, of marriage and family had died ten years ago.
When she finished with Charlotte’s mom, Elliot turned back to her. “Let’s get that contact list first. Dain will likely want to go over it as well.”
“Why?” Wasn’t Elliot enough?
Elliot stood. “Just a precaution. We don’t know who our enemy is. Unfortunately, too often it’s someone far closer to us than we’d really like to think about.”
Elliot sounded like she’d had experience in that area, something Charlotte might ask her about later. But the idea that anyone she came into regular contact with would be selling babies was ludicrous.
Becky cleared her throat, gaining their attention. Rubbing her belly, she asked, “Are we really safe here?”
