Free The Awakening by Lorhainne Eckhart Page A

your mother. She demanded the tree go in your library, and you yelled to get rid of it. And then you sat there watching me, just like your daddy. I just wanted a job with peace so I could feed my son. And now he’s gone.” She was crying again.
    Diana hung up the phone and hurried over to Laura, wrapping her arms around the girl, hugging her. “Oh, Laura, it’s okay, but blaming Andy isn’t going to solve anything. He really was trying to help you. Now, come sit down. I’ve just contacted another lawyer I know in Seattle, and he’s sending me the forms to file for an emergency hearing. He’s going to walk me through the process. Andy, I did hear you offer your lawyer’s help. Family law’s not my specialty, but I could use the resources, if your lawyer would be willing.” Diana led Laura to the kitchen table.
    “Consider it done. Whatever you need, I’ll call them and get the ball rolling.”
    “I have to go check the horses, Andy.” Jed motioned to the door. Diana and Laura sat at the table, but it was Laura who watched him, frowning.
    “Okay.” Andy opened the door, and Jed followed. As the cousins strode to the barn, Andy couldn’t help feeling responsible for this mess. The way Laura had looked at him with such hatred, it tore at his heart, and he wanted to shake her, to make it right, to go and get her kid for her.
    Jed must have sensed this, as he gripped his shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
    “Well, that’s the thing. It is partly my fault. I made a promise to someone, and I dropped the ball.” Jed stopped and watched him just outside the barn, saying nothing. At times like this, Andy thought his silence was unnerving. “I got a call to make for your wife. At least I can do that much.” Andy walked away with the cell phone pressed to his ear and Jed’s all-knowing gaze burning a hole in his back.

Chapter Fifteen
    It had been a long day. His lawyer had brought in an associate in their family law department, and he contacted Diana right away. Diana hung up the phone before Andy left and shouted out that his lawyers had arranged for a visitation the next day and an emergency hearing in forty-eight hours, but then, with Christmas a week away, the courts were soon to shut down for the holiday season. What could be worse than separating a mother and child at Christmas?
    Andy had just parked his truck when Jules popped open the back door and rushed out. She was in a fit, the way she scurried, and must have been watching for him.
    “Jules,” Andy said, annoyed.
    “Sir, you don’t answer your phone anymore? Your mother is fit to be tied. You are supposed to be Miss Johnston’s escort for dinner tonight. Your mother…”
    Andy cut Jules off before she could continue: “I’m not interested in my mother’s tantrums, and I have better things to do than escort some pretty rich girl. Is Aida around?”
    Jules sputtered, “Mr. Friessen, Andy … what am I supposed to tell your mother? She ordered me to track you down.” Andy glared at Jules until she stepped back and said, “The cook is in the kitchen.”
    Andy started toward the back door, then stopped. “Jules, tell my mother I’m here and that I told you I’ll talk with her shortly.”
    “Yes, sir.” She nodded, and her face softened as if some of the stress had left.
    Andy found the cook in the kitchen. She was giving orders to half a dozen staff members, all scurrying around the room. Food, platters, and bowls covered the counters. Pots on the stove steamed. When her eyes met Andy’s, she said in abrupt tone, “Everyone, out.”
    As soon as the last staff member left and the door closed, Andy spoke. “Laura is at my cousin Jed’s. Something’s happened, Aida.”
    She rested her hands on the counter. “Oh? And what happened?”
    “She was sleeping in her car, and a deputy found her at the mall. The sheriff called social services, and they took her son away.”
    “Oh, no!” Aida cried out. “That poor girl! After all she