Chapter 16 #2
“Wh-what?” This was insane. “Wh-who told you I was neglecting my children? I would never… My girls are my life.” Panic clawed its way up her throat.
“Hmm. I’ll be the judge of that. Our reports are strictly confidential and promise anonymity. Now, if you’ll step aside, I can get started with my investigation.”
Bliss didn’t move. What should she do? Slamming and locking the door sounded good. Did CPS people have badges? Her mind raced, grasping at any solution.
“Ms. Carpenter—”
“Miss.” Bliss corrected the woman. Even through terror, the correction slipped out automatically.
“I see.” The woman made a notation on her clipboard.
Bliss wanted to throw up. “Miss Carpenter, if there is nothing to hide, you shouldn’t mind if I come in and have a look around.
” Ms. Talon tried to look past her into the house.
Judgment radiated from the woman, and she wanted to enter Bliss’s house?
Bliss’s thundering heart sank. Her house looked awful. She looked awful. The last thing she wanted was for this woman to come in and see it in this state.
She hadn’t done anything wrong. Sadie, Sophie, and Nori were all happy, healthy babies. Ms. Talon would see that and go away, right?
Right?
What was she supposed to do? Her vision grayed around the edges. That wasn’t good. She had to get a grip. But grip what?
She was totally out of her depth. How bad did the state of her house have to be before they tried to take her girls?
They couldn’t take her children away. They couldn’t! The thought alone felt like knives slicing through her chest.
“Um, can I call someone first?”
Ms. Talon sniffed again and looked at her watch. “If you must, but I don’t have all day. I’ll have to make a note that you were reluctant to allow me into your home.”
Bliss nodded. “N-no, I mean yes, I want to call someone. If you could just take a seat in one of the rocking chairs, I’ll be right back.”
She didn’t wait for the woman to agree. Shutting the door, she raced across the room to her phone, snatching up toys and dirty glasses as she ran. Her hands shook so badly she nearly dropped the phone twice.
Winnie.
She needed to call Winnie.
Her big sister always knew what to do. Blindly, she tapped the numbers on the phone with trembling fingers and waited for the call to connect.
“What’s going on, Trouble? Is everything okay?” Connor’s voice, deep and concerned, was not what she expected, but was exactly what she needed. Why? Because she was stupid and couldn’t let go of fantasies.
She was speaking before she could even think about what to say. “Daddy? I need you.” The word slipped out of the deepest, most vulnerable place inside her.
So stupid!
He was going to think she was crazy. The last person he’d want to see right now was her. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I-I shouldn’t have called. I didn’t mean to. I-I was trying to call Winnie. Hanging up now.”
“Belissa Jayne. Do not hang up this phone, little girl. I’ve been trying to get out to your place all morning. Now tell me what is going on.” The authority she needed in that moment rolled through his voice like thunder.
How could he sound like he cared when he absolutely did not?
But he was big. And he could be scary. Maybe he could scare the mean lady away.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I mean… She’s here at the door and…
and she wants to come in. Someone reported that I hurt my girls.
” Her voice cracked on the last words. “You know I’d never do anything, but they’re going to take my babies—” Tears streamed down her face, and she didn’t even try to wipe them away.
“Bliss.” Connor’s voice was clipped and stern. “Listen to me, babygirl. Take a breath and tell Daddy what is wrong. Who is at your door?” The command in his voice steadied her.
Everything in her wanted to hang up. She had to have at least a smidgeon of pride. But not at the cost of her daughters. She’d do anything for them.
She’d tell Connor, and he would know what to do. He would fix everything. Even though she knew better, relief flooded her body. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
“A lady from Child Protective Services is at my door. She says someone reported me for neglect and abuse. I wouldn’t do anything to harm my children, Daddy. I promise. I swear.” The words tumbled out between ragged breaths.
“I know that, babygirl. I need you to take another breath. Where is the lady now?”
“O-on my front p-porch.”
Rapid knocking on the front door peppered the room. “Miss Carpenter, I have allegations that allow me to enter the home with or without your permission. You need to open this door before you make your situation worse.”
Connor growled. “Fuck. Okay.” Bliss heard movement, then the slamming of a car door, through the phone.
“I’m on my way, babygirl. I’ll be there very soon.
You need to let her in, but do not answer any questions until I get there.
Not any at all. Do you understand? Do what she tells you to do, but tell her you want a lawyer to be present before you answer any questions. Have you got me?”
“Y-yes, I’ve got you. Daddy, please hurry.”
Bliss disconnected the phone. Walking to the door felt like walking to her execution. Her heart pounded so hard she thought the woman on the porch might hear it. But she did as Connor said and opened the door. Because her Daddy was on the way.