Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“He’s the biggest, most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen.” Sydney smiled up at Victoria from the floor in the living room where the very expectant teen sat next to Max. “I love him.”
Victoria smiled in return. “It seems the feeling is mutual.”
The Leonberger swished his tail as he stood by the girl, his giant head inches from her face as he soaked up the petting she gave him.
Thank the Lord, Max wasn’t showing his usual fear of strangers with Sydney.
He’d been cautious when she’d initially entered Victoria’s home, but once Sydney had set down her purse and suitcase, he’d followed her around as she toured the house.
Within about fifteen minutes, he had warmed up to her completely, abandoning his wariness to even let her pet him.
What an extra blessing from the Lord. Now Victoria wouldn’t have to worry about Max while Sydney was their houseguest. But even so, Sydney living with her couldn’t be a permanent solution. At least not the best one for the teen and her child.
Victoria sat on the edge of the armchair near where Sydney relaxed on the floor. “I’m so glad you can stay with me for a while.”
“Oh, me, too. This is going to be so much fun.” The girl grinned as she continued to pet Max.
“I hope so.” Victoria hesitated. It wouldn’t be good to bring down Sydney’s spirits or add stress, especially when she was so close to giving birth.
But at the same time, she knew Sydney. The teen didn’t like to look ahead or plan for the future.
She needed to be nudged and encouraged to do so.
And whether anyone liked it or not, she was going to need to grow up quickly because of her situation.
“The last time we spoke, you said the father of your little girl wasn’t answering your texts. Have you heard from him since then?”
Sydney slowed her strokes on Max, her mouth pulling into a frown. “No. It’s weird. He used to text a lot.” Apprehension colored her tone.
“I’m sorry to hear that. This is such a hard time for him to leave you to handle things alone.”
“He hasn’t left me.” Sydney lowered her hands to her lap as she turned her head toward Victoria. “I mean, we’ve never really lived together or anything anyway, but I know he still loves me. He’s probably just busy. He’s like a super successful guy.”
“Do you know what he does for a living?”
Sydney shook her head. “No. We never really talked about stuff like that.”
“What did you talk about?”
She lifted one small shoulder under her cotton sweater. “How pretty he thinks I am. How much he loves me. That he’s gonna marry me as long as I…”
“As long as you what, Sydney?”
“If I’d keep…you know.” Her gaze slid away from Victoria. “Keep being his girlfriend. Not tell anybody.”
A slow burn of righteous anger simmered in Victoria’s torso. The man had no right to use and manipulate this child that way. And then to leave her alone to have their baby without support or taking responsibility. What a despicable human being.
Victoria moistened her lips. “Sydney, what he did was very wrong. He should never have asked you to be intimate with him. No man should without first marrying you.”
The teen’s focus dropped to her hands, resting on the legs stretched out in front of her.
Max slid down to the floor and lay beside her.
A small smile tilted her mouth as she put her hand on his massive head.
“If this man truly loves you, then he’ll want to take care of you and the baby.”
“He does.” Sydney’s gaze lifted. “I know he loves me.”
“All right. Then let’s tell him what happened to you. Let’s tell him you need his help, now that your mother won’t let you live in her home anymore.”
The girl’s eyebrows drew together. “I already texted him. He didn’t answer.”
Victoria held back the urge to tell Sydney that proved the man didn’t love her.
But that wouldn’t help. “You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you need to.
You and the baby. But I want the best for you and your daughter, and it’s usually best for every child to have a father.
For you to have a husband, and a man who will love you and care for you and your little girl. ”
“I thought he didn’t like strangers.” Cillian’s voice made Victoria jump inwardly. He approached her from behind, stopping to stand next to her as his gaze aimed at Sydney cuddling with Max.
Had Cillian been listening to her conversation with Sydney?
Victoria tabled the question to answer him in a casual tone she hoped would keep Sydney comfortable and willing to talk.
“He doesn’t typically.” Victoria tipped up her head to see Cillian.
“Spring is the only person who didn’t need to win his favor, even though she didn’t meet him as a puppy like Hank.
Max felt comfortable with her almost immediately. Perhaps he likes petite females.”
“The game is rigged.” Cillian’s tone was heavy with faux pouting.
Victoria lifted her eyebrows in challenge. “If it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it.”
His mouth slid into a grin as that spark of heat lit his eyes. “Got that right.”
Her throat dried rapidly. They apparently weren’t discussing Max any longer. “Shouldn’t you be helping Warren bring in the boxes?”
“We’re done.” Cillian shifted his body to look behind them. “Right, pal?”
Victoria hadn’t seen Warren standing in the doorway of the living room, hands stuffed in the pockets of his low-slung jeans.
He gave a single nod.
“Sydney,” Cillian lowered his large frame to sit on the coffee table, facing the teen, “I can tell you as a man that Victoria is one hundred percent right. If the guy who fathered your child really loves you, he’s going to want to take care of you and your baby.”
Sydney’s eyes widened slightly as she watched him, but she didn’t look alarmed.
Poor Max sat up and stared at Cillian. His proximity, though not very close, was apparently enough to make the dog nervous.
“I’m also a social worker, and I can tell you love your baby. Am I right about that?”
Sydney nodded. “Yes. I really love her.”
“I knew it. I can always tell.” He kept his mouth in a serious line as he watched the girl. “And that’s why, as a professional with years of experience working with kids in the system, I’m going to be completely honest with you. Is that okay?”
She nodded again, though uncertainty tightened her mouth. “Yeah.”
He rested his large hands on his denim-clad thighs.
“You’re a mom now. And you need to know the best situation for your daughter is to have her father be in her life.
Kids with a mom and dad in the home do so much better and are way less likely to need my help as a social worker. Does that make sense?”
“I guess so.”
“That’s why Victoria,” he extended his hand out from his side, gesturing toward Victoria, “wants to know who the father of your baby is. It’s not to ruin anything, and we won’t go blabbing it all over.
But we want to know so we can make sure he’s aware he has a little girl, and we can make sure he knows about your situation.
” Cillian glanced at Victoria, his expression seeming to indicate she should join in.
“Cillian’s right, Sydney. We only want to help, and I believe this is the best way we can right now. If he’s as good a man as you say he is, and he loves you, then he will jump at the chance to support you and your daughter.”
Sydney bit her lower lip.
“Do you trust me, Sydney?” Victoria locked her gaze on the girl’s.
She nodded.
“Then please tell us his name.”
Her lids lowered again, hiding her eyes. “I…can’t.”
Disappointment pooled in Victoria’s stomach.
The girl looked up, sadness in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Victoria. But I can’t squeal on him. I don’t want to get him in trouble or anything.” Her gaze went to Cillian as if he might be the cause of that trouble.
He smiled.
Not the expression Victoria had expected.
“Well, I don’t know about Victoria, but with everything going on with this murder investigation, I already have enough trouble to deal with right now. Running down a delinquent boyfriend isn’t top of my list.” He chuckled, sending Victoria a glance.
He was very convincing with his misdirection. And perhaps his tactic was the right one. They’d hit a wall with Sydney but had also given her much to consider. Perhaps she would soften her stance, in time.
“Oh, I forgot about that.” Sydney looked at Victoria. “I saw it on the news. Kathleen and I both agree you couldn’t have killed someone. I mean, anyone who knows you would know that’s nuts.”
Good to know the Life Pregnancy Care Center founder wasn’t doubting Victoria’s character, though she’d already deduced that when Kathleen hadn’t brought up Victoria’s arrest.
“I can’t believe they actually put you in jail.” Sydney pressed her fingers to her bottom lip. “What was it like?”
“Terrifying.” At least Victoria’s wretched experience gave her an opportunity to scare Sydney away from doing anything that would lead to legal trouble. “It is not a place you want to be.”
“That’s for sure. But I heard on the news you’re their number-one suspect.”
“Not for long.” Cillian jumped in before Victoria could reply. “We’re not going to give up like the killer wants. We’re going to clear her name, no matter what it takes.”
“Hey, Syd.” Warren’s quiet voice drew their attention to where he stood just inside the doorway. “I’ve gotta run.”
“Aww, not yet.” She shifted up to her knees, her hand going to Max’s neck. “Victoria wouldn’t mind if you stayed and hung out, would you, Victoria?”
“Of course not.” Victoria smiled at the young man.
“Let me put together some sandwiches. I know it’s late, but you must have worked up an appetite with all that lifting.
” Surprising how many belongings a low-income teenager could have.
Sydney had arrived with many more boxes and suitcases than Victoria had imagined.
She didn’t look forward to seeing how congested the guest room must be now with towers of boxes.