Free Christmas Star (Contemporary, Romance) by Roz Denny Fox Page B

You think that just because you have clout with the judge, you can flit off at the last minute on a poorly thought-out vacation. To me it shows irresponsibility. I’ve said before and I’ll say again—that child needs a stable home in a two-parent family.”
    Wanda’s thin lips barely moved as she continued, “Frankly I’m not sure why I was assigned to this case, the way you break rules.”
    Starr stiffened her spine. “I’d hoped we could set our personal differences aside and agree this trip would be good for SeLi.”
    “Hmph!” Mrs. Manning’s denigrating sniff accompanied a toss of her mousy curls. “I’m afraid you and I will never agree. Your kind thinks money talks. I am not impressed by your wealth or your association with political power. I’ve seen both come and go in my time. As far as I’m concerned, you are no more a fit parent for that child than her own streetwalking mother was. Which I intend to prove before this adoption is final.”
    Starr was taken back by the vitriolic speech. “My father has money and power, Mrs. Manning, not me.”
    “Oh, no? Am I mistaken about your trust fund?”
    For a moment Starr didn’t know what to say. Then temper kicked in. “It’s true my grandfather left a modest sum that I’ll get when I turn thirty. Silly me, I imagined the money would be a bonus for SeLi. To pay for things like college. Surely you don’t have to like me to see the benefits!”
    “Like you?” Wanda sniffed. “If you have nothing more to say, Miss Lederman, I have another, equally distasteful caller to see. It seems there’s no end to the line of rich and powerful people in our humble office today.” A dour look crossed her face as her gaze alighted on the door to her private office.
    Starr glanced that way herself. For a moment she thought maybe Clay...but, no. She shook her head. He wouldn’t come here. Why would he?
    Still, the thought of anyone overhearing this discussion embarrassed her. Starr turned away. She couldn’t wait to escape this oppressive room. But good manners dictated she at least thank Wanda for her time.
    Or did they?
    She paused, a hand on the doorknob. “This visit has been no more pleasant for me than it has for you. You should realize, however, that I haven’t the slightest intention of letting you take SeLi away from me. You may not approve of me or my single status, but there’s an important fact you’ve missed. I love SeLi—and she loves me. But maybe love is a foreign concept to you, Mrs. Manning. Good day.”
    * * *
    A S THE FRONT DOOR closed savagely behind Starr, the one leading to the social worker’s private office creaked slowly open.
    “Rich bitch!” Wanda’s fury was almost palpable, and it stopped Clay from stepping fully into a room still vibrating with it.
    At last, appearing to have gained control, Mrs. Manning managed a halfway civil tone for the man who waited. “Now, how may I help you, Mr. McLeod?” Her clipped speech reflected her lingering agitation. “As I was about to say before we were so rudely interrupted by Miss Lederman’s unexpected visit, your brother has already gotten permission from Judge Forbes for the Lederman child to leave the city. I have no doubt that you know the power the senator’s name wields. After all,” she finished sarcastically, “I am but a poor servant of the state, and this is an election year.”
    Clay thrust his hands deep into his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. Something in the way Starr went to bat for the child touched him. But he’d come here for answers. What he had was more questions.
    “The walls are thin, Mrs. Manning. I heard every word of your exchange with Miss Lederman.” Clay stopped short of saying the woman’s own attitude had left him with a bad taste for certain representatives of the social services in this town.
    “Our agency is overworked and understaffed, Mr. McLeod. Visits without appointments add to the load. Could you get to the point,