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JUDE COULD READ THE pretty redhead like an open book. Perci Tyler was one of those who did love that little girl.
The other was the man looking at Perci like she was his entire world. Did Perci realize that?
Jude knew the story of the Masterson brothers and the women who they had married. She knew the rumors about these two, too.
If all went as everyone assumed it was going, they’d be married soon, too.
What could it hurt for Ivy to find her home with them? They were already bonding. It was in the way the child looked at them. The way they looked at her.
The way they looked at each other.
Jude had seen many families in her four years as a social worker. Mostly at the worst times in their lives. She’d seen kids in such appalling conditions she still had nightmares where those kids weren’t rescued in time.
Ivy had been one of those kids, but her mother had never quite crossed over the line until now. And background checks under the woman’s name hadn’t turned up anything initially. Until the sheriff had given her the woman’s aliases, as well as arrest reports going back more than a decade.
Jude would be questioning the other women in her office on how that had been missed, the first chance she got.
Now it had all come to a head.
Leaving Ivy blowing in the wind.
Jude took a quick, surreptitious look around.
This home was a good one. Comfortable and welcoming. Perfect for a child to grow up in.
If she had the right parents, of course.
“Dr. Masterson, you’re a state-approved foster parent, I believe?” She knew he was. She’d made it a point to know everything she could about the man before she’d stepped foot on his property today.
“Yes. For teenagers. Boys.”
“We can amend that now. If you are prepared to assume full responsibility for Ivy until an adoptive placement can be found?” It could take up to two years before that happened. Jude knew the statistics far too well. She hated the idea that the little girl could potentially be bounced around for that long. They were taking some liberties today, but she would handle it. It was in the best interests of the child, after all. Which was all she was really after. “It can take several months for that to happen. Would you be able to manage?”
“Between our two families, he’ll manage.” Perci had Ivy in her arms again. The little girl was obviously enjoying having the cuddles. “If he...wanted.”
The look Perci shot the doctor broadcast everything the woman was feeling.
Jude felt for her—she truly did.
And Nate Masterson was apparently putty in Perci Tyler’s hands. “Ivy will be welcome here as long as needed.”
If Jude hadn’t sworn off romance of any kind, she’d be envious of the other woman. To have a man like that look at you in that way...well, Perci was one lucky woman. No doubt about that.