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NATE’S HEART FROZE for a moment. He watched Perci’s arms tighten around the little girl who it was obvious she adored, like she was never going to let Ivy go. He put his hand on her back to reassure, though if the social worker was truly there to take the girl, there wasn’t anything he or Perci could do.
“In what way?” he asked, as Perci hurried up the steps and carried Ivy inside out of the rain. The social worker, a dark-haired woman a few years older than Perci and a few inches taller, smiled. She had a pretty smile, and big green eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. Pretty, but terrifying.
She held Ivy’s future in her hands, and he knew it.
“I’m here to check that Ivy is settling in all right, and get some paperwork taken care of.”
He ushered the woman inside behind Perci. Perci had already sat Ivy on the couch and was pulling her little raincoat off. “I think she’s doing well. She’s healing. During the day when Perci and I are working, she’s staying with Perci’s sister, my sister-in-law Phoebe. The sheriff’s wife.”
“Is Perci living here, then?” The social worker glanced toward the two in the living room.
He knew what she saw.
“No. She’s staying to help Ivy adjust, at least until her sister Pan arrives. Perci was the nurse most often in contact with Ivy, and the two had bonded. Since she’s family, and has stayed here before, it has worked out well.” He didn’t know what to say. He wanted what was best for the little girl more than anything. “Is there another family available? Anyone from her birth family?”
The social worker hesitated. “Mrs. North is going to prison for a long time, Dr. Masterson. Not only for charges in this state, and Montana, but she skipped bail in Colorado on aggravated assault charges four years ago. She’ll be extradited there. We’ve already spoken with her, and she’s decided to sign a termination of parental rights form. We’ll be identifying an adoptive family for Ivy as soon as that’s finished.”
“No biological relatives?”
“None identified as suitable candidates. That can change as we go through the process, of course, but Mrs. North indicated that she is an only child with no close relatives and her husband was a ward of the state of Texas. So...barring any sudden barriers, she’ll go up for adoption as soon as we can make it happen. It should be an easy transition, as she’s healthy and...young.”
He understood; the sooner Ivy was adopted, the sooner she would have stability.
The little girl came barreling into the kitchen. “Mama Perci has to potty.”
Nate scooped her up, inhaling the scent of clean child and cookies. Phoebe had no doubt given her cookies at some point today.
Ivy snuggled against his chest and eyed the social worker warily. “Who you?”
Nate rubbed her back gently. He knew she was afraid. He could feel it. “This is Ms. Hopewell, little Miss Ivy. She’s here to check on you.”
Ivy just blinked. “Want Mama Perci to hold me.”
***
PERCI RETURNED TO THE kitchen in time to hear Ivy’s demand. Her first instinct was to take Ivy from Nate and just hold her tight. So she did. She wasn’t ready for the idea that this woman in the middle of Nate’s kitchen could take Ivy and spirit her away.
Ivy’s stay with the Mastersons was temporary.
Even though Ivy just seemed to fit.
Belonged. Ivy almost seemed to belong right where she was.
Perci settled Ivy into the booster seat her father had found in the attic of their home and grabbed a washcloth. Ivy’s hands needed washed, before anything else.
Dinner was simple enough to prep, thanks to Pan’s obsessive need to plan everything. It was right there in the fridge, waiting
She busied herself the best she could. “How long?”
The woman looked at her. “Excuse me?”
“How long will it take before she has a more permanent home? She’s settling in here. She’s comfortable. Safe. I’d hate to see that disrupted, if she’s just going to sit in foster care for a while.” It was a crazy idea, but her first instinct was to take the little girl herself. Do what she had to in order to get Ivy at her father’s ranch.
The idea was as crazy as any other she’d ever had.
Her home wouldn’t compare to one with a mom and dad. An established family that didn’t struggle to buy peanut butter, let alone new tires for her eighteen-year-old car.
Ivy deserved more than what Perci could give her—even if they would let her have her.
Ivy would be better off staying right where she was. But that would put a huge burden on Pan, who was just now settling in with her new husband.
Another family would be the best fit, no matter how much it hurt to think about. For Ivy, Pan, and Levi.
In just the span of three days Perci had fallen in love with that little girl, and she wouldn’t deny it.
“We’ll try our very best to make sure she’s with people who love her.”