Page 35 of Broken Single Daddy's Baby

“Derek,” my mother says. “Or his lawyer.”

I nod slowly. I don’t know if I want to go through Derek, because I don’t want him thinking that I’m overstepping my bounds.

But I have no idea who Derek’s lawyer is. There are a lot of expensive family lawyers in Los Angeles, and it could be any of them.

I might have to talk to Derek, after all, and admit I know what’s going on.

I spend the night at my parents’ house, trying to decide how to get in contact with Derek’s lawyer, but it ends up not mattering, because the next morning, I get a phone call.

“Hello, is this McKenna Lodge?”

“Yes,” I answer quickly, sitting up in bed. I’d been awake, just staring at the ceiling.

“Brett Reynolds,” the man says. “I’m Derek Ledderman’s lawyer. I was wondering if you’d have some time today to come into my office and speak about his upcoming custody case?”

I’m surprised that he called me so quickly, since it’s only been a day since Derek was served. I guess expensive lawyers are expensive because they’re good, at least in this case.

“I can be there in half an hour,” I say, and half an hour later, I find myself at the offices of Reynolds and Platt.

It’s aniceoffice, with a chandelier in the lobby, and I only have to wait a few moments but I’m offered cucumber water while I sit there. I accept a glass and then Brett Reynolds calls me into his office.

“Thank you for agreeing to come on such short notice, Ms. Lodge,” he greets me, gesturing for me to sit down in the chair across from his desk.

I do so and the lawyer looks at me discerningly.

“You’ve been working as a nanny for Derek Ledderman for the last couple of months?” he asks.

“Not quite two months,” I answer.

He nods. “But you spend a lot of time with Margaret and Eli Ledderman, right?”

“I do. I’m with them every weekday, and Derek has them in the evenings and the weekends.”

“Would you say that you stay with them more than their father does?”

I frown. “I don’t like that question.”

Brett gives me an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I guess I’m getting ahead of myself. You see, I’m going to ask you to testify in court as one of the kids’ caretakers. The other lawyer is going to ask you things like that.”

“The answer is that I don’t spend any more time with them than say, a daycare worker would. Derek comes home on time every single night and he does things with them every weekend. He spends every moment he’s not at work with those kids.”

“Perfect. I think you’ll do wonders for Mr. Ledderman’s case, Ms. Lodge.”

I smile hesitantly. “That’s good to hear. Will Derek know that I’m testifying?”

“He has character witnesses that he’s choosing, but in terms of your testimony, you’ll be interviewed by me andMs. Lodge’s lawyer because you’re considered one of their caretakers,” he explains. “Your testimony is completely up to you. I understand Suzanna Lodge is your aunt?”

“Estranged,” I say tightly.

Brett makes a note. “I think you’ll help out his case, but it depends on what you say in court, Ms. Lodge. Do you understand?”

I nod slowly. “I think so.”

“The custody hearing is scheduled on the twenty-fifth, a week from today. I was able to get it expedited. I don’t want Mr. Ledderman to have to deal with this any longer than he has to. If you’ll meet with me the day before the hearing, we’ll go over your testimony one last time.”

“Sounds good.” I stand up and go to leave.

“Ms. Lodge?”

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