Christmas in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 1) (15 page)

“Do you think the boys are in danger?”

“According to Dakota, Clint pretty much ignores them.” Ami rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to ease the tension. “I suggested we see one of the attorneys in Sturgeon Bay about her becoming an emancipated minor. I called a couple of the family law offices there earlier today, but I can’t get an appointment at either firm until after the first of the year.”

“She might not have that much time.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “When Cassie has the baby, Dakota will be alone in the house with him.”

“I think Dakota will run before that happens.”

A startled look crossed Beck’s face. “Run away?”

Ami unraveled a bow between her fingers. “She was close to doing that this morning.”

“That would be disastrous.”

“Perhaps you could speak with her about emancipation. Walk her through the steps to see if it’s even feasible.”

A long silence filled the air. With each passing second, Ami’s hopes plummeted further.

“I’d have to research state statutes.”

Ami’s excitement must have shown, because he raised a hand and shot her a warning look.

“Look. It can be difficult to get a judge to agree, especially if the mother is opposed.” That thoughtful look was back on his face. “Does Dakota have a job?”

Ami shook her head.

“The judge will want to know how she can support herself, where she would live. Those questions will need to be addressed.” Beck stared, unseeing, at the mass of paper and ribbon before him, and Ami could almost see the wheels turning. “I left the law behind when I moved here.”

There was something in his voice that caused Ami, who’d been about to push harder, to hesitate. “If you don’t want to do it, I understand. I simply thought because she knows you and you’ve met Clint and because the other attorneys are busy and—”

“Ami.” He offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll look into the emancipation possibility, but I believe there may be another solution. How close are you and Lindsay?”

Ami’s heart tightened. “We were once best friends.”

“Good.”

She cocked her head. “What are you thinking?”

“I’d like the four of us to get together and discuss all options.” His gaze met hers. “Could you arrange that?”

“Absolutely.” Ami closed her eyes for a second as relief surged. “When would you like me to schedule this meeting?”

“Tomorrow. As soon as Dakota gets out of school.”

“Tomorrow is Friday.”

“So?”

She smiled at his blank look. “One of the Twelve Nights celebrations? Gingerbread house competition in the town hall?”

“It will be crazy, but if what you’re saying is true, Dakota is running out of time.”

“Where shall we meet?”

“Have them come here. As early in the afternoon as they can make it.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” Ami gave a mock salute and, for the first time since Dakota had appeared at her door, believed everything would work out . . . thanks to Beck.

C
hapter
F
ifteen

The impromptu hug Lindsay gave Ami as she stepped across the threshold into Beck’s home startled him. When Ami had mentioned that she and Lindsay were no longer
best
friends, he’d jumped to the conclusion that the accident back in high school had severed their friendship. Based on his false assumption, he’d expected this meeting to be strained and awkward.

“I didn’t realize the two of you were such good friends.” Beck kept his tone casual as he showed them to the parlor.

“Oh, Ami and I have been friends since grade school.” Lindsay’s bright smile seemed to dim as she continued. “We haven’t seen each other as much in recent years. But that’s going to change.”

She gave Ami’s arm a squeeze before taking a seat.

Lindsay, a floral designer at the Enchanted Florist, bore a striking resemblance to her sister. Same honey-blond hair and gray-blue eyes. Same narrow face that was pretty rather than beautiful. Same whippet-thin body. Except a little younger and fresh and full of life, rather than beaten down and worn-out.

While it was impossible not to notice the scar on Lindsay’s cheek, in Beck’s estimation it didn’t detract from her attractiveness.

Dakota remained quiet and took a seat next to her aunt on the sectional, leaving Beck and Ami to sit in the two ornate—and very uncomfortable—Queen Victoria high-backed chairs. The furniture obtained from an antique store in Sturgeon Bay had been delivered on schedule. A lavish red-and-gold tapestry rug covered much of the scarred floor. A large, gilt-edged mirror graced the mantel, while pastoral scenes typical of the period hung on the wall, covering the worst of the peeling paper.

Beck thought the scarlet velvet sectional was a bit ostentatious, as was the rosewood parlor armchair in gold satin floral. Still, the rich colors of the period furniture brought needed warmth to the old house.

“I’m not sure why I’m even here.” Lindsay cast a quizzical glance at her niece. “Dakota just said it was important I come.”

Ami decided to be blunt. “Dakota is concerned about Clint’s interest in her.”

Lindsay froze for a second. Then her blue eyes flashed. She shifted her gaze to her niece. “If he’s touched you, I’m going to murder him.”

“Chill, Aunt Lindsay,” Dakota said in a slightly bored tone, but the look in her eyes said she was pleased by her aunt’s passionate defense. “I’ve been able to keep my distance so far. But he’s starting to talk more about sex stuff. If I don’t get away, he’ll get me alone and . . .”

There was no need to clarify what would happen; they all understood.

Lindsay’s brow furrowed. “Have you told your mom? What does she say about his behavior?”

“She laughs and acts as if it’s cute, as if he’s joking.”

Lindsay closed her eyes for a second and swore under her breath.

“Lindsay.” Ami’s soft-spoken words had the woman opening her eyes and shifting her attention. “Dakota came to me because she sees leaving Good Hope as her only option.”

Lindsay whirled in her seat to face her niece. “Is that true?”

“I can’t stay in the same house with him anymore.” Dakota’s lower lip trembled before she firmed it. “I’m afraid to fall asleep at night.”

“Oh, baby.” Lindsay wrapped an arm around her niece’s shoulder. “You can come live with me.”

“That’s what I suggested.” Ami’s gaze slid to Beck.

Beck was glad to see Lindsay so supportive of her niece. For his plan to have any chance of success, it was essential she be willing to stand for the girl.

“I can’t move in with you, Aunt Lindsay.” Dakota folded her hands in her lap, stared down at them for a long moment. With her hair pulled back and her face bare of any makeup, the girl looked even younger than seventeen. “I want to, but I can’t.”

“Of course you can,” Lindsay protested. “There’s a futon in my living room with your name on it.”

The girl shook her head. “Mom would be furious. You know how she can be.”

“It’s true my sister has a temper.” Lindsay blew out a breath. “Don’t you worry, I’ll handle her.”

“Remember what happened with Grandma Anita? She’ll cut you out of her life if you get in her business. Then she’ll have no one. She’ll be at his mercy.”

Lindsay’s face took on a mulish expression. “I guess that’s her choice.”

“Mom needs you, Aunt Lindsay. You’re the only one she can count on. If she doesn’t have you or me, she won’t have anyone.”

The look of indecision on Lindsay’s face told Beck that Dakota had raised a valid point. It was a good thing he had another option to offer.

“Let’s talk possibilities.” Beck leaned forward. “I have concerns about pursuing emancipation. Frankly, I don’t believe it would be approved. Dakota doesn’t have a job, and with attending school, it would be difficult for her to support herself.”

Dakota’s shoulders slumped. “I have to leave. That’s all there is to it.”

“You’re not leaving,” Lindsay snapped. “That’s final.”

“I think we all agree it’s important not to jump into any action without thinking it through fully.” Beck kept his voice calm and focused on Lindsay. “Here’s another option. We speak with your sister together. You bring up that Dakota wants to pursue emancipation. You’ve tried to talk her out of it, but she’s already enlisted my help and I’m ready to file the papers.”

“File the papers?” Lindsay’s brow furrowed. “But you own a café.”

“Beck is also an attorney,” Ami explained.

Lindsay smiled apologetically. “Oh, I didn’t know.”

Beck continued as if there’d been no interruption. “I’ll mention that such a petition will necessitate the involvement of social services. The caseworker will come out and look at a variety of things, including what support Cassie is getting from the state and the fact that Clint is in the home.”

Dakota laughed. “She’ll be big-time pissed at you.”

“Dakota. Watch your language.”

The motherly censure in Lindsay’s no-nonsense tone had Beck smiling.

“I’ll be the bad cop,” he told Dakota. “Your aunt will be the good one.”

“How will I do that?” Lindsay appeared amenable but puzzled.

“You’ll tell your sister that Dakota can live with you. But only after making it very clear that you really don’t have room and having a teenager in your home will put a serious crimp in your social life. Still, Cassie is family and you don’t want social services breathing down her neck and causing trouble.”

Lindsay’s eyes lit up. “That might work.”

“If it does, I can stay in Good Hope and graduate.” Dakota turned to Beck, and he saw tears shimmering in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I—”

“It’s going to work.” Ami, who’d been relatively silent, punctuated the pronouncement with a decisive nod.

The look on Dakota’s face brought an odd tightness to Beck’s chest.

“It might be a good idea for you to start looking for a part-time job after school.” Though Beck was also confident the plan would work, it didn’t hurt to have a backup. “If we end up needing to pursue emancipation, you’ll have some income we can report.”

Dakota’s hopeful gaze shifted to Ami.

“I’d like to help you, sweetie, but I’m full up on staff.” Ami turned to Beck. “Weren’t you talking about hiring an extra waitress for weekends?”

The girl’s eager gaze shifted to Beck. “I’ve never waited tables before but I’m a quick learner.”

Beck found himself smiling. “Once we’ve talked to your mother and you’ve moved in with Lindsay, we’ll get some hours scheduled.”

Without any warning, Dakota propelled herself into Beck’s arms. “Thank you so much. I didn’t want to leave but—”

Tears streamed down Dakota’s face and onto Beck’s shirt. He patted the girl’s back. As he murmured soothing words, his and Ami’s gazes connected.

The look of admiration in her eyes made him feel like a hero. While Beck didn’t consider himself to be one, for the first time in his life he understood how good it felt to help someone truly in need.

After Lindsay and Dakota left, Ami returned to the café to prepare for the evening rush while Beck remained at home. Once his Christmas tree was delivered, he would meet Lindsay at Cassie’s house.

With Tom taking an additional night off to give his burned arm another day to heal, Ami and her assistant were kept so busy, her shift at the café was over before she could blink. She’d just finished closing down the kitchen when the bells on the front door jingled.

Ami hurried into the dining room just as her father walked through the door. Relief surged when she saw Anita wasn’t with him.

Wearing a stylish navy wool coat she hadn’t seen before, he strolled into the café. His lips creased into a smile the instant his gaze landed on her.

“If you’re here for dinner, I’m afraid we just shut down the kitchen.” She returned his smile with a friendly one of her own. “But we have pie or—”

Her father waved a gloved hand. “I didn’t come to eat, though I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee.”

“How about we have a cup together.”

“Do you have time?”

She glanced sharply back at him, but it appeared to be just what it was: a simple question rather than a snide commentary on the fact she hadn’t called him in nearly ten days. Granted, their paths had crossed a couple of times when he’d been with Anita, but other than that, they hadn’t spoken.

Ami answered the question in his eyes. “I always have time for you.”

After filling two ceramic mugs, she placed them at a table by the window, well out of earshot of the last two customers lingering over dessert.

Her father followed her, removing his gloves and coat as he walked. He pulled out her chair and took a seat opposite her, his hazel eyes solemn.

“I thought you might be with Beck.” Steve glanced around the café. “Is he here tonight?”

“He was, but he left about an hour ago. The Victorian home tour is next week and his house hasn’t yet embraced the Christmas spirit.” Ami took a sip of the coffee she didn’t really want. “I’m helping him decorate his tree this evening.”

“It’s almost ten o’clock,” her father protested. “Much too late—”

“Dad.” She reached over and covered his hand with hers, finding comfort in the touch. “It’s a weekend night. I’m a big girl. Will it make you feel better if I promise to be in bed by midnight?”

The quick flash of his smile warmed her like one of the thermal blankets he’d covered her with as a child. Her father turned his hand over and held hers for several seconds. “I love you, Amaryllis. I don’t tell you that nearly often enough. I’m sorry for what happened last week at the house. I should never have expected you—”

“I’m sorry, too, Dad.” She swiped at tears that appeared out of nowhere to slip down her cheeks.

His hand tightened around hers. “Don’t cry, honey.”

“I don’t like us being angry at each other.” Ami sniffled. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You don’t have to ever worry about that.” He handed her a thin paper napkin. “We’re family. Family sticks together.”

Ami dabbed at her eyes and thought of Anita. “No matter what?”

“No matter what,” her dad said firmly.

The tension that had sat like a leaden weight on Ami’s shoulders since that night at his house began to ease.

“When your mom was alive, she always knew the right thing to say and do. After three years without her, well, I’m still finding my way. And I have to admit this dating thing”—he paused, then shook his head in bewilderment—“has me all discombobulated. I guess what I’m saying is, don’t give up on me, Ami.”

Ami thought of the unwavering support she’d received from her entire family, not only the night of her accident but every night before and since. If she had one regret, it was that she didn’t often say what was in her heart.

“You never gave up on me.” She covered her father’s hand with hers and gazed into his hazel eyes. “I’ll never give up on you.”