Chapter 21
As Bridget sat next to Eliza, the caffeine couldn’t keep her alert anymore. Eliza had been stepped down to a regular room, and she was now settled and dozing. With the pain medication, the nurses thought that best for her body as she continued to recover. Bridget also didn’t know what to tell her.
Would it be better to surprise her with her biological father?
The man had already filed emergency guardianship paperwork in the Lancaster County courts and arranged a short-term apartment in Lincoln while the various petitions navigated through the courts.
The man was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but had been granted emergency leave to sort out the situation.
It turned out he had not signed away his rights, so his rights had never been terminated.
With the Brandenbergs not having close family, Leticia was prepared to not have the state stand in the way if his home study was clear.
This wasn’t ideal.
Eliza’s family had been destroyed.
But maybe with enough time and counseling, she would eventually be okay.
There was a knock at the door, and then a young woman stepped into the room. Her face blanched as she took in Eliza on the bed. “Is she okay?”
Bridget considered her. “You are?”
A woman moved in behind the girl. “I’m Lorie Angle, and this is my daughter Anna.”
The new officer at the door looked around them. “They okay, Bridget?”
If they weren’t… She sighed. “Yes, thank you.” She looked at the pair. “Todd mentioned he met you last night.”
“We meant to come down then, but decided today would be better.” Anna shrugged apologetically. “Didn’t make sense to come down in time for visiting hours to end.”
“She was in the ICU last night, so I don’t know that you could have seen her anyway.”
Eliza shifted on the bed, and then blinked. Anna hurried over and hesitantly reached for her friend’s hand. Then Anna looked at Bridget. “Can I?”
“Yes, just be careful not to jostle her or any of the tubes.” She stood and gestured to the chair. “You can sit here.”
A minute later, Anna was seated and talking quietly with Eliza. Tears ran down Eliza’s face as she stared at her friend.
Lorie watched the two with concern as she stood next to Bridget by the door. “Is Eliza going to be okay?”
“Yes. The doctors are pleased with how surgery went, and she’s much more alert today.” Bridget loved watching her interact with her friend, even if Eliza’s emotions were high. “She’s been through a lot.” She gave Lorie a quick outline.
“What will happen to her now? Does she need a place to stay?”
“We’re working on what will be best for her.”
“I’d need to talk to my husband, but she’s welcome with us.”
“Start a home study. That would be good to have in case.” Bridget could tell that Anna and Eliza were close, and this relationship would be important to maintain. “We’re looking for a family placement.”
Lorie shook her head. “The Brandenbergs didn’t have any. It was sad really. Just the four of them, but they were happy.”
“How long can you stay?”
“We have a hotel room for the night, then we’ll play it by ear. Anna has school, but we can take her out for a day or two if Eliza needs her. It’s only middle school.”
“Thank you. I think having her friend here will help Eliza a lot as we sort out what is best.” Bridget felt the release of some of the burden now that some of Eliza’s friends had arrived. “She’s been so alone, and that’s hard for anyone.”
“But for a young teenager.” Lorie played with the necklace at her throat.
“Exactly.” Bridget’s phone buzzed in her pocket. “Excuse me a moment.” She stepped into the hall. “Hello?”
“Is it a good time to bring someone up to meet Eliza?” Todd’s voice soothed her with its calm tone.
“Lorie and Anna Angle arrived a bit ago, so the room’s a bit full. Who do you have?”
“Her dad.”
His words landed hard. It was good, but this was important. She had many questions for the man, not the least of which being where he had been. “Where are you?”
“The waiting room by the elevator.”
She stuck her head back in the room. “I’ll be right back.”
Lorie nodded. “We won’t go anywhere.”
Bridget walked down the hallway toward the exit. “I’m on my way.”
“He’s in the army, a couple years from retiring. Seems like a good guy. Didn’t know he had a daughter, so never signed termination of rights.”
“That’s the only reason I’ll let him near her.” Bridget pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know that sounds crazy since I would have let Dani near her.” She hip-checked the button to open the doors. “All right, I’m here.” She looked around and spotted Todd, then ended the call.
A man stood, posture rigid, then he stuck out his hand. “Ma’am. I’m Lance Smith.”
“Bridget Ellis.”
“I hear I have a daughter who needs me.”
“You might. We’ll need to do some tests to confirm.”
“I had the JAG file an emergency guardianship on my behalf since it sounds like she needs the protection of a father pending whatever proof needs to be established.” He said the words with unyielding sincerity.
She didn’t want to like him, yet she sensed honor in the man.
“Then the judge can decide. We will need to establish paternity beyond a suspicion, so that means DNA tests.” As she said the words, she hid a wince at the difference in how she treated him and Dani, but she’d hoped the paperwork would show Dani was Eliza’s mother.
She knew Dani. Trusted her and Caleb to help Eliza through this tragedy and ultimately love her well.
Here she didn’t have anything but someone else’s supposition.
“Can I meet her?” His gaze was clear and sincere.
“She’s been through a lot the last two weeks, but I can let you look in on her. She has a friend in the room with her so the room is full.”
His jaw tightened, then his lips formed a small smile. “That’s fine. I understand you don’t know me from anyone. It’s good to be cautious.”
“Then follow me.”
They formed a small group as they walked back through the hall to the room. Bridget opened the door, but Lance honored his word and stood in the door. Eliza glanced up from her huddled conversation with Anna.
Her eyes widened as she took in the new people. When her gaze landed on Lance, she frowned then blinked. “Uncle Lance, what are you doing here? Mom and Dad started telling me about you a few months ago. They said you were overseas and couldn’t come visit.”
He swallowed hard. “They told you about me?”
She started to nod but quickly stopped. “Yes. They told me you loved me a lot but got lost for a while. Then an important job kept you away. That maybe someday you’d get to visit.
” She frowned. “The last couple of months, they talked about me maybe visiting you.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“Are you here now because of what happened to them?”
“Yes.” He took one step, then stopped. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
“I wanted to find you but didn’t know where to go. Just that you were in Kansas. It’s a pretty big state though.”
Todd nudged Bridget, and when she looked at him, he raised an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes. Then blinked hard to keep a few rogue tears at bay.
Maybe the Brandenbergs had laid the groundwork.
She’d never know for sure, because it sounded like they hadn’t said anything until their lives were falling apart and they were already in witness protection.
Had they started looking for a way to keep Eliza safe if things got worse?
Had their investigation led them to her biological father? They’d probably never know.
The courts would still have to decide what was in Eliza’s best interests, but even from the grave, the Brandenbergs were helping to protect and care for their daughter.
She would be okay.
Bridget leaned into Todd’s side, relieved to know that together they had kept her safe and protected.