The Man She Should Have Married (13 page)

“I will.”

He waited, but when she didn't echo his sentiment, he quickly realized she couldn't and tried not to let the omission bother him. Because of his mother, the looming custody case was probably the most important thing to Olivia right now, that and making sure Thea remained in her care. Her feelings for him had to be put on the back burner.

They fell silent for a while, and then Olivia said, “I hope we get word about the custody hearing soon.”

“I imagine you will now that CPS has conducted their inspection. I wouldn't be surprised if you got notice tomorrow. If you don't, I'm sure Austin will check into it for you.” He wanted to say he'd call Austin and make sure he did, but wisely kept that thought to himself.

A few minutes later, Olivia asked him about his campaign, and Matt belatedly realized he hadn't told her about his decision not to run. So for the rest of the trip home they discussed his promised appointment to temporary district attorney and the possibility of winning that position legitimately later on.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Matt? Your decision...it doesn't have anything to do with me, does it?”

“It is exactly what I want. The minute Carter made the suggestion, I knew it was perfect for me...and for us. So yes, every decision I make has something to do with you. And Thea.”

She didn't say anything for long seconds. And when she did, her voice seemed flat. “What does your mother think about all this?”

“I only told her I wasn't running for the Senate. I didn't tell her about the DA's job.”

“Why not?”

“Knowing her, she'd try to throw a monkey wrench into the appointment. That's what she does when things don't go her way. She ruins everything she touches.” He immediately wanted to take the words back, but it was too late. He could have kicked himself.

Olivia didn't answer, and when he glanced at her, he saw she was staring out her window. Why hadn't he simply said he would tell his parents when the time was right, and drop it at that? Why had he had to remind Olivia of everything she feared in a relationship with him?

Dammit!
They were almost home, and this wasn't the way he wanted to end the day.

“Let's talk about something more pleasant,” he said almost desperately. “Like ordering a pizza for dinner. Or we could get Chinese takeout.”

“I'm not really very hungry after that big lunch,” Olivia said. “I'm sorry, Matt, but I think Thea and I will just have soup or something light, and I'll go to bed when she does tonight. I didn't get much sleep last night and I'm on the day shift tomorrow.”

Disappointment flooded him. Reality had once again reared its ugly head. Already, the fun-filled day of San Antonio had been replaced with reminders of the custody suit and what would be in store for them in the coming days here at home.

He silently cursed his mother. Every single negative thing in their lives right now could be directly traced to her. Was there any way to stop her before she ruined their lives completely?

Chapter Thirteen

O
livia decided she would give her notice Monday morning. So as soon as she arrived at the hospital, she told Helena Tucker, her supervisor, that she needed to talk to her.

“Oh, Olivia, I hate to hear this,” Helena said, dismay written all over her face. “You're one of the best people I've got on my team. I don't want to lose you.”

Olivia sighed. “Thank you, I appreciate that, but something has happened that's made me think about the future sooner than I'd expected to.” Although she had not told anyone other than her family about the custody suit, she decided it was only fair to tell Helena.

“Unbelievable,” Helena said when she'd finished. “Why, you're one of the best mothers I know. Listen, Olivia, if you need a character witness, you can count on me.”

Olivia was touched. She knew her boss liked her, but she hadn't expected this kind of loyalty. “I can't tell you how much that means to me. I'll keep your offer in mind.”

“Well, I'm serious. So don't hesitate to ask. Now, can I count on you to stay on until I can replace you?”

“As long as it doesn't drag on too long,” Olivia said. “I'd like to be free after the holidays.”

“Oh, that shouldn't be a problem. I'm pretty sure Shari wants to go full-time, and I also have a couple of applications hanging fire.”

As Olivia turned to leave, Helena said, “We'll miss you around here.”

“I'll miss you, too.” But mixed with her regret over leaving a job she loved, Olivia also felt tremendous relief.

It would be wonderful not to have to worry about the days Thea was under the weather and Olivia had to prevail upon her mother to watch her. Besides, Olivia would enjoy being home with Thea, and once Thea started first grade and was gone most of the day, Olivia could follow through with her renewed desire to earn her nursing degree. So she felt excitement as well as regret. Of course, all her plans hinged on winning the custody case.

That damned case.

It loomed over everything. Some days she still had trouble believing her in-laws were actually doing this to her.

Despite the worry it caused, she managed to put the custody suit out of her mind as the busy morning progressed, but it came hurtling back when she got a phone call from Austin over her lunch hour.

“The hearing has been scheduled for this coming Friday afternoon,” he said without preamble. “Our instructions are to be at family court at two o'clock.”

Olivia swallowed. “Will...will we know right away?”

“I don't know. Depends on the judge. I checked the docket, and Judge Lawrence will be hearing the case.”

“Do you know him?”

“It's not a him. Her name is Althea Lawrence, and she's been a judge in family court for almost twenty years. I'm told she's very good. Very fair. Very family friendly. She has four kids of her own.”

Olivia closed her eyes. Before, even though she'd known all of this was actually happening, it had somehow seemed surreal. Now it felt totally real. And frightening. In just four days, her entire future would be determined by some woman she'd never met, a woman who would hear so-called “evidence” against her and then rebuttal witnesses who would attest to her good character and fitness as a mother, not to mention the unknown recommendation of Joan Barwood, the caseworker who had visited her.

“And Thea will be questioned?” she asked faintly.

“Probably. We've been instructed to bring someone along who can stay with Thea during the hearing, because they won't allow a child as young as she is to be present during testimony. She'll be in a room nearby especially set up for young children, and someone will need to be with her until she's called.”

“She'll actually be called into the hearing itself? Be questioned in front of all of us?”

“I'm not sure. She might be interviewed in the judge's chambers. Or maybe the judge will go into the children's room and talk to her there.”

“And we won't know what's being said?”

“We may see the interview on closed circuit television. It's up to the judge.”

“Everyone in the court room?”

“No. I think just you and me, your in-laws and Jackson Moyer.”

Olivia fought back tears. “I hate this.”

“I know you do. I hate it for you. And for Thea. But take heart, Olivia. We have a really good case, and I think we'll win. Just keep your chin up and let the truth speak for itself.”

Yes. And she'd also pray. She'd pray like she'd never prayed before.

“What do you think I should tell Thea? I mean, surely she needs to be prepared.”

“I've talked to a buddy of mine who's handled a couple of these types of cases, and he tells me it's best to be honest with her. Explain that her grandparents think it would be best for her to live with them, but you want her to stay with you, and that because you disagree, a judge has been instructed to find out how Thea feels.”

“What if she asks questions about her grandmother? Questions I don't feel comfortable answering?” Olivia thought about how just the other day Thea had wanted to take the new kitten and go and visit “Mimi” and Olivia had to put her daughter off.

“I know it's hard, but be careful what you say,” Austin said. “The judge will probably ask Thea what you've told her, and it's best you don't criticize either grandparent.”

Olivia couldn't help thinking this was all kind of like a nasty divorce where a mother who loved her child had to make sure not to let that child know there were any bad feelings.

They talked for a while longer, and then Austin got another call and said if she had more questions, he'd be available that evening and not to hesitate to call him. But as reassuring as Austin had been, Matt was the one Olivia really wanted to talk to.

She decided to call him right away, but his secretary told her he was in court and wouldn't be back for several hours. “Shall I have him call you?”

“No,” Olivia said, “I'm at work. But tell him I called and will call him tonight.”

Then she went back to her department and explained to Helena she'd have to have Friday off, and why.

For the rest of the day, even though Olivia did her job thoroughly, she had a hard time thinking of anything else but what was in store for her at the end of the week.

* * *

Olivia dressed carefully for the hearing at family court. With her mother's and Stella's approval, she put on a simple dark green dress with a round neckline and slightly flared skirt that ended just below her knees. Sensible two-inch heeled pumps, a single strand of pearls and tiny pearl earrings completed her ensemble. She carefully applied her makeup: just a bit of foundation and a touch of eye shadow and mascara. A rosy lip gloss completed the picture. She thought she looked like exactly what she was: a young mother from a small town.

“Perfect,” her mother declared. She hugged Olivia, saying, “Honey, it's all going to be okay.”

“I hope so,” Olivia said, swallowing her fear. But no matter how many times she reassured herself, she couldn't make her heart stop its too-fast rhythm. Even deep breathing didn't help.

I can't lose Thea. I can't.

She was so grateful Matt would be there today, even though she knew his mother would be furious when she saw him, obviously giving Olivia his support. He'd also told both her and Austin he was available to testify on her behalf. Olivia hoped that wouldn't be necessary because no good would come of his openly challenging his mother like that. And yet, how could she tell Matt to stay away? Especially if, as he believed, the judge would be swayed by his presence?

Olivia had been instructed to be outside the courtroom by one forty-five that afternoon, ready to be called when the judge returned from lunch. She hoped the scheduling meant that her case would be concluded by the day's end and not be carried over till the following week.

Austin was meeting them there. Olivia, Thea, Norma and Stella arrived a little after one thirty. When they walked into the courthouse, Olivia saw Matt and Austin standing talking. She also saw her in-laws, accompanied by a very tall, imposing man—whom Olivia assumed was the famous Jackson Moyer—at the other end of the hallway. Vivienne looked in her direction only once, then abruptly turned away. As always, the woman looked impeccable in a dark blue ensemble.

“There's Mimi!” Thea said, a big smile lighting her face. “Can we go see her, Mommy?”

“Not now, sweetie. Later, maybe,” Olivia said, trying to keep her voice normal even though her stomach was churning. Matt turned at the sound of their voices, and their eyes met. In his, she saw encouragement and support. Instantly, she felt better.

He smiled at her, walked over and drew her into a hug, whispering, “It's going to be okay.”

“Matt, your parents can see you,” she said, pulling away even though, at that moment, what she wanted most in the world—aside from winning today's case—was the comfort of his arms.

“I don't care,” he said. Then, shocking her, he said loud enough for her family and Austin to hear, “I love you, and I don't care who knows it.”

Olivia didn't know where to look...or what to say. She could feel herself blushing. It was one thing for her family to suspect how things stood between her and Matt, quite another to state it so publicly.

Her mother touched her arm and smiled at her reassuringly. “We all love you, honey. Everything's going to be fine.”

Olivia's eyes finally met Austin's. In them she saw resignation. But she also saw Austin's integrity, strength and determination. He would do his best for her, no matter what. He gave her an encouraging smile, then echoed her mother's sentiment. “It really is going to be fine, Olivia. I promise you.”

She took a deep shaky breath.

And prayed everyone was right.

* * *

Matt sat in the very back of the courtroom, even though he wished he had the right to sit beside Olivia, to hold her hand, to show the world how much he believed in her. His mother had given him a cold stare as she'd walked in; his father had evaded Matt's gaze.

Matt was glad he'd been able to persuade his sister to stay away. There was no sense in her getting embroiled in this lunacy. If he'd thought Madeleine's support for Olivia would make a difference, he might have advised her to come despite his mother, but he didn't think it would, so it had seemed more prudent for Madeleine to stay out of the fray.

A few minutes after all interested parties had settled into their places, the door leading to the judge's chambers opened and the bailiff called, “All rise!” as Judge Althea Lawrence entered.

Once the judge was seated, Matt studied her. He'd boned up on her background and knew she was fifty-three, a plus because sometimes older judges tended to be more conservative. She came from a fairly large blue-collar family and had put herself through college and law school with a mix of scholarships, loans and part-time jobs. That background was also a plus. Odds were she'd be much more inclined to identify with Olivia than with Vivienne. And the final plus—she was a mother herself.

The judge greeted the participants, then read the petition aloud. When she'd finished, she said, “Mr. Moyer, as counsel for the petitioner, let's hear your first witness.”

The first witness turned out to be Janice Rosen, the ER nurse who had attended when Olivia brought Thea in after the incident in the backyard where her lip had been cut. Jackson Moyer adroitly questioned the nurse in a way that made her answers seem as if the accident had been Olivia's fault because she hadn't been watching Thea the way she should have.

When Moyer finished, Austin rose.

“Do you have any children, Mrs. Rosen?” he asked, smiling at her in a friendly way.

“I do.”

“And how old are they?”

“Five and seven.”

“Boys or girls?”

“Two boys.”

“I'll bet they can be a handful.”

The nurse grinned. “Two handfuls.”

Austin chuckled. “And I'll bet they can get into things in a second. Even when you're in the room.”

“You can say that again. I've gotta have eyes in the back of my head.”

“Have you ever left them playing outside while you ran into the house to get something?”

“Of course. Who hasn't?”

Austin nodded. “That's right. Who hasn't?” He looked at the judge as if to say,
And I'll bet you have, too. Because a parent can't be with a child every second. And even if they are, accidents will still happen, won't they?

“Have one of your boys ever had an accident at home?” Austin said, turning his attention back to the nurse.

“Objection, Your Honor,” Jackson Moyer said. “We aren't here to investigate Ms. Rosen's parenting skills.”

“Sustained,” the judge said. “Move on, Mr. Crenshaw.”

“One last question, Mrs. Rosen,” Austin said. “Did the attending physician note anything unusual about the circumstances of Thea Britton's accident that day? Did he feel it was caused by neglect? Recommend that CPS be called?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Thank you. Nothing further.”

Matt relaxed a bit after that. Austin obviously knew what he was doing. He'd made the witness comfortable, been friendly, and hadn't tried to intimidate her with his questions.

The next witness was Phyllis Grimm, who lived next door to Olivia's mother. She testified about an incident that had taken place on Thea's third birthday when Thea had darted toward the street. “Her mother's whole family were standing right there and nobody was holding that child's hand! She could have been killed.”

Jackson Moyer nodded sagely when she'd finished. “Thank you, Mrs. Grimm,” he said. “We appreciate your taking the time to come here today and tell us about this truly frightening incident.”