Free Heart of the Matter (Coming Home Book 3) by Amy Stephens Page B

me to scroll further. I see the computer image reflecting off of her eyes that are now glossed over with tears. It’s any wonder she’s able to read the words at all. Bringing her clenched hand up to her chin, she nods her head signally she’s ready to read more.
    As I finish reading the message, I’m at a loss for words. I’m not believing it—the man who was so horrible to Jennifer all those years ago truly sounds like a genuine human being now.
    “NO! No, you can’t see my baby.” Jennifer says angrily between gritted teeth.
    I stand from my kneeling spot beside her and touch her shoulder. “Jenn, I’m not going to let anything bad happen to our family. Not to you and especially not to Chloe.” I know these are just meaningless words to her right now but I will do my damnedest to make sure Brian Collins does not interfere with our family.
    “How can he just think I’m going to let him back into our lives?” She asks. “He’s lying. I know he is. This is just a sick scheme of his to get back at me.” I hear the pleading tone in her voice.
    “Let me print out a copy of this. I know it’s a holiday weekend but I’ll put a call in to George and see if he can recommend someone who specializes in this area. He usually just handles all the legal stuff for work but I’m sure he can put us in touch with the right person. Don’t worry, dear. It’s going to be okay.” I make my best attempt to assure her our family will not be put through this; I just hope I don’t let them down. I hope there is something I can do to stop this nightmare before Brian does do something first.
    I print out the email while Jennifer stares blankly at the computer screen. She reaches up to scroll down the page and I realize she’s reading it all over again. Tears slide over her cheeks and I notice her eyes are already beginning to show signs of puffiness. There’s no way I can bring the girls home tonight. They can’t see their mother upset like this.
    “How can he, after all these years, want to see her now? How?” Jennifer continues staring at the monitor and I feel every emotion she is struggling with, too. “Damn you, Brian!”
    I reach for her elbow and try to turn her towards me. “Come on, Jenn. The more you keep reading this, the angrier you’re getting. There is nothing we can do about this tonight.” I try to reason with her but I know she’s feeling like she’s at the end of her wits.
    “I will kill that bastard before I let him see her.”
    “Jenn, please. Listen to what you are saying.” I plead with her. “He’s not done anything. He’s simply asked you to see her.”
    Jennifer jerks her head to look at me and I can tell by the cold, stern look from her glare that I’ve said the wrong thing. “Whose side are you on, Todd?”
    “Babe, come on now. Don’t act this way. You know there is only one side and that is our family.”
    “Brian Collins is not worthy of seeing Chloe. Ever! Do you hear me? Ever! He should’ve thought about the way he treated me before he even had the audacity to send me an email such as this. Does he think I’m stupid or something, to think I would let Chloe be a part of his life now? I don’t care who is sick or dying. It’s never going to happen!”
    The conversation has taken a terrible turn for the worse. Now, Jennifer is not only upset, but she is making it far worse than it ever has to be. She’s literally losing her self-control.
    “We don’t have to respond to his message. We don’t owe him anything, Jennifer, but I need you to stay rational about this, okay? Just let me talk to our attorney.”
    “How can you be so calm about this, Todd? Don’t you see what this could do to our family? To Chloe, our daughter?”
    “I am upset about it, but I have also got to make sure I’m doing the right thing. I don’t like you being upset and I surely don’t want Chloe finding out, but my God, Jenn. Just please let me see what I can do.”
    At that moment, Jennifer