Free Adopted Son by Linda Warren Page A

head to stare at Caroline. “Grace didn’t know you’d filed for custody of Brady Harper. She feels bad about it.”
    He shifted uneasily. “It’s a difficult situation.”
    “Have you thought about how you’re going to handle a baby with your job?”
    “I’m working on it.” He studied his beer can.
    “You know I love you dearly,” Caroline said. “You’re our best friend. You’re always there when we need anything. I’ve always admired your desire to help children, but have you thought that Brady might need a mother?”
    Tuck knew the big but was coming. Caroline was known for speaking her mind. This one caught him a little off guard, though.
    “Evidently you do.”
    “Well, yes.” Caroline glanced at Eli, then back to Tuck. “After what Brady’s been through, he needs someone to love and care for him full-time.”
    “You don’t think I can do that?”
    Caroline got up and wrapped her arms around Tuck’s neck. “I think you’re a wonderful person, but you have a full-time job and Brady needs to build trust again in someone he knows will be there for him. He needs a mother.”
    “A lot of women work and leave their babies in day care,” Eli spoke up. “And stop hanging on Tuck.”
    Caroline gave Eli a sharp glance and threw up her hands. “You guys are missing the point. Brady’s mother has let him down terribly. He now needs to build a nurturing relationship with a woman. He needs a mother.”
    “Tuck can give him everything a woman can,” Eli stated stubbornly.
    “No, he can’t,” Caroline insisted just as stubbornly. “The first bond a baby makes in life is with his mother. Brady needs to form that bond again. As I said, it’s all about nurturing and women do that. Men don’t.”
    “Jesse does just fine with me,” Eli pointed out.
    “Well, Eli, Jesse will need nursing as soon as he wakes up. Let’s see if you can do that.”
    “I can give him a bottle, Caroline.”
    Caroline placed her hands on her hips. “It’s not so much about the nourishment received while nursing but the act itself that encourages the bond. It’s just not the same holding a baby and giving it a bottle.”
    “A lot of women choose not to breast-feed. Are you saying they’re not nurturers?”
    Caroline’s green eyes flared. “No, I’m not. There’s more to nurturing than breast-feeding.”
    “Since Brady’s not breast-feeding, I…”
    “Time-out.” Tuck did the time-out sign with his hands. “I don’t want you two arguing about this.”
    A wail pierced the long pause and Caroline went to Jesse, lifting him out of the stroller. “Hey, sweetie.” She kissed him. “Are you hungry?” Caroline glanced at Eli. “Would you like to try to nurse him?”
    “Sometimes you can be hard-nosed,” Eli replied.
    “Like my sister?”
    “I didn’t say anything about Grace.”
    “Stop it,” Tuck ordered. “I’ll handle the custody hearing and you two stay out of it.”
    Jesse’s cries broke through his words. Eli and Caroline hardly ever argued or disagreed and he didn’t want to be the cause of any dissension between them.
    “I’m going to nurse Jesse.” Caroline headed for the bedroom.
    “I’m behind you one hundred percent,” Eli told Tuck, taking a long swig of beer.
    “I know, but I don’t need you guys to take sides. This will be decided by a judge.”
    “How’s Brady doing?” Eli asked.
    “He’s better, but he’s not talking or responding to people. They’re still running tests on him and Brady’s not leaving the hospital until a complete evaluation is done. That way the Templetons and myself will be aware of what Brady’s problems are and what kind of care he will need.” He swished the beer in his can. “The Templetons have their first visit in the morning. I got a call from Beau a little while ago.”
    “Are you okay with that?”
    “I want what’s best for Brady. That’s my bottom line.” Tuck took a swallow of beer. “And stop arguing with Caroline over