Page 9 of Saving Salem
“Good to see you too, Gabi.” He nodded toward the chairs encircling a large conference table. Salem noted Chance and Jack seated across from the door.
“What’s happened?”
“Let’s all sit down, and I’ll brief everybody at once.” Taking a deep breath, Salem slid into the seat across from Jack. She knew whatever news Chance had to share, it wasn’t good.
“First of all, Salem, stop looking so scared.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it. Obviously, you have news or you wouldn’t have had these two hunt us down.”
“The Amirs are trying to get the date for the custody hearing moved up. Ivy is trying to deal with the Louisiana legal system, which isn’t the same as anywhere else. She isn’t licensed to practice in Louisiana, so she’s working with consultants, and has applied forpro hac viceadmission which means for this case only. Things would have been a lot easier if Salem resided in Texas.”
Gabi grinned. “I bet my dad can help. He’s been itching for a new case to dig his teeth into. I think he’s just waiting for Salem to come home.”
“Gator is already looking into something else for me, but if we continue getting stonewalled by the legal system there, I might have him knock a few heads together.”
“I’ve talked with Samuel. Salem, he’s going to assign a bodyguard to you for the foreseeable future.” Chance held up his hand when she started to interrupt. “Not negotiable. Until we know what the Amirs’ plans are, you will be watched over.”
While she hated the idea of having a babysitter, she also knew the Amirs would and could circumvent boundaries to get what they wanted. She wasn’t afraid for herself, she worried for Chloe. If it came down to protecting herself, Salem had a fighting chance. Chloe couldn’t protect herself if somebody tried to take her.
“I agree, for now. I’m going to have to head back home soon. I have work and school.”
She felt Jack’s gaze on her and heat flushed her cheeks, remembering her conversation with Gabi earlier. It was true, she found the Texas Ranger attractive, but she couldn’t imagine dating him. Or anybody else for that matter. Not for a long time. She didn’t rule it out forever, but Tarik had soured her on any type of sexual relationship, and since that’s what most men seemed to want, it was easier to steer clear.
But there was something about the enigmatic man across from her that made her wonder what it would be like to try again.
“Salem, are you listening?”
“Sorry. What did you say?”
Gabi smirked and Salem knew she’d picked up on her thoughts. There wasn’t anybody who knew her better than her best friend. She just hoped Gabi didn’t get it into her head to play matchmaker.
“Never mind, it’s not important.”
Daisy poked her head around the corner of the door. “I’ve got lunch if y’all are interested.”
“Yes! Feed me, I’m starving.” Heath grabbed several of the bags in Daisy’s outstretched hands, chuckling. “Looks like this meeting is adjourned until later. Let’s get on to the more important stuff, like food!”
The tension broken, food was passed around and consumed with small talk and catching up on everyone’s lives. But Salem couldn’t help the feeling that the other shoe was about to drop, and her life was going to change irrevocably. She only hoped it would be something she could live with and not the end of the world as she knew it.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jack pulled hisrented sedan up in front of the Boudreau homestead and parked. Wiping his sweaty palms against his jeans, he drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He’d been awake all night, his mind going over everything from two nights before and the new information he’d shared at the sheriff’s station. Chance had laid out everything he’d been able to gather concerning Salem’s potential custody battle with the Amir family. While it wasn’t a cut and dried scenario, things could take a turn nobody wanted.
Throughout the sleepless night, he’d pictured Salem’s face as Chance outlined the pros and cons. Unfortunately, Amir’s family had one thing that usually spoke louder than facts or the best interest of the child in question—money—and lots of it. Plus, they wanted Chloe to learn the customs and traditions of her father. That was usually taken into consideration by the court system. Salem struggled to keep her head afloat holding down two part-time jobs while working toward her degree. Ms. Patti had mentioned that Salem had gone back to school, after deciding to go back to college and get a degree in graphic arts. It was obvious to anybody who knew Salem that she was a good mother who adored her daughter. But, sometimes, loving somebody wasn’t enough.
Rafe had been uncharacteristically quiet, listening to Chance talk, letting Jack know how serious the situation truly was. Not that he took Salem’s struggles lightly. Just the opposite. He found himself scrambling to come up with a solution, something that would keep Amir’s family from snatching Chloe out of her mother’s arms.
And he had—he just wasn’t sure she’d go for it.
Ms. Patti and Douglas were determined to help Salem, and Jack knew they’d move heaven and earth to keep mother and child together, but they were in the same untenable situation as he was—they had no familial ties to Chloe. While Salem had tons of friends, he’d discovered the divide that caused Salem to run away from her own parents when she was pregnant and in danger had not only continued, but apparently had gotten worse. Though they lived in New Orleans, the same city where Salem resided, they rarely interacted with her, maintaining a cold façade whenever they were together. Salem’s brother was really the only family still part of her life, but he was currently in the Middle East with his Army unit.
Climbing from the car, he took the front porch steps two at a time, quickly made his way to the front door, and rapped on it hard. He knew Salem was here. He’d made a point of checking with Ms. Patti before heading toward the ranch. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure why he was here, except he couldn’t seem to shake the feeling he needed to be close to her. Let Salem know he’d help in whatever way he could.
Earlier that morning, he’d made several calls, contingencies he’d put into place, because if everything went according to plan, after talking with Salem, he might need to make some life-changing decisions, and he wanted to have laid the groundwork—just in case.
The front door swung inward, and Douglas stood framed in the opening. “Jack. Patricia mentioned you might be coming by.”
“Afternoon, Douglas.”
