Page 33 of Finding Solace
Mila looks down at her with a sad smile. "Oh, I'm sorry Willow, but I don’t have Ava with me this time." Disappointment spread over her little freckled faced as she hangs herhead.
"You'll get to see her tomorrow at preschool, pumpkin." River kneels and lifts her sad face to look athis.
"Okay," she softly whispers to herfather.
"Go play in your room for a little bit, pumpkin. I need to talk with Mila and herfriend."
After she's gone, River stands and turns then extends his hand towards me and we shake. "Mr. Carter," he says, "You can call me Reid," I tellhim.
"Why don’t you two have a seat in the living room. I'll get us something to drink. Beerokay?"
"A beer sounds good. Thanks." I tellhim.
Disappearing into the kitchen he returns holding three bottles in his hands along with a couple cold bottles of water. I take his offer and let a couple gulps slide down mythroat.
"Alright," River says taking a seat in his recliner. "What can I help with?" he looks directly at me waiting for the answer to his question. Mila looks to me as well and waits. She's giving me the lead. Trustingme.
"Have some evidence that found its way to me which needs to get in the hands of the proper authorities before the court hearing tomorrow. Can you make that happen?" I eye him taking another swig of mybeer.
"You need to remain anonymous?" He asks taking pull from his ownbottle.
"All I want is for her parents to be in cuffstomorrow."
"I can do that. Send me what you have, and I'll take care of it," he's quick to respond. Mila is sitting beside me on the couch nursing her beer and her knee is bouncing with pent up nerves. I know she's wanting answers. Answers I can't giveher.
"Mila," he leans forward in his chair and gets her attention, "Make sure you're about ten minutes early getting to the courthouse tomorrow. I'll already be there waiting on you. Both of you," he looks from her to me, then back ather.
We stay a few more minutes while River goes over what to expect in the morning before leaving. Once he's finished going over all the ins and outs of what to expect, I take Mila's drink from her before pulling her to stand. I wrap my arm around her waist and lean in, kissing her temple, "Come on, Kitten. Let's get Ava and gohome."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
MILA
Reid and I are driving to the nursing home to visit with Grams. I told him I wanted to see her before going to court this morning. Alba offered to keep Ava for another night since I had court. I spoke to my baby girl briefly on the phone, and she didn't need convincing to stay another night. Bella said she would go to her sister's house this morning and pick Ava up and take her to preschool. I honestly don't know what I would do without my friends. Bella and Alba have gone above and beyond with theirhelp.
If my parents get their way today, I fear they will cut off my visitation with my grandmother. This will also be the first time Reid is meeting her. I'm not nervous because my Grams has never been one to judge others. She won't let his looks or his cut hold any bearing on the kind of man he is. As we walk down the halls of the home, we stop at the nurse's station and are greeted byJoni.
"Hey, sweetheart, how are you? And who is this handsome young man?" sheasks.
"Hi, Joni," I adjust my purse hanging on my shoulder, "I'm good, and this is my… Reid." I've never had an actual boyfriend, and the word feels foreign just thinking aboutit.
"I see. It's about time you got yourself a man, girly and looks like you have a strapping one at that. I bet he's taking good care you,honey."
Oh, my God. I feel my face flame at Joni's words, and when I look to Reid he's sporting a smug grin on hisface.
"Oh, honey, don't be embarrassed, why if I were twenty years younger…" she trails off as I cutin.
"Joni!" After she and Reid have a good chuckle at my expense, I decided to change the subject. "How's Grams doingtoday?"
"She's doing wonderful. Today is a good day," Jonichirps.
Walking into my grandmother's room, I spot her sitting in her chair next to the window, and her attention is on the television where she is watching the morningnews.
"Mila," she greets warmly and with a smile when she sees me walking towardsher.
"Hi, Grams. I brought someone for you to meet." When she notices Reid standing behind me her smilegrows.
"Well, move out of the way dear so I can meet him." I love that my Grams still has some sass. "And what's your name youngman?"
