Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley

eyes on them. “She’s still his mother. We could be in the room with them to make sure everything is all right.”
    He thrust his face close. “I won’t have that woman disrupt his life any more than she already has by pulling this stunt.”
    She met his glare with her own. “I am the manager at the refuge, and I do have a say in what is done with the children.”
    Jacob started to speak but instead snapped his jaw closed.
    “I’ll talk with Andy’s mother first and see what prompted this action today.”
    “It won’t do any good. She doesn’t deserve a child like Andy.”
    There were so many things she wanted to retort, but she bit the inside of her mouth to keep her thoughts quiet. It was important that Andy not realize they were arguing over him. “Beyond that day in your office, have you had any contact with the woman?”
    His eyes narrowed. “No.”
    “Then let me assess the situation.” Again she sent a quick glance toward Andy then the other seven kids to make sure they weren’t hearing what was said. “If I don’t think her intentions are honorable, I won’t let her see Andy. Deal?” She presented her hand to seal the agreement.
    Jacob looked at it then up into her face. His fingers closed around hers, warm, strong. “Deal. But I want you to know I don’t think this is a good idea.”
    She wasn’t sure it was, either, but for Andy’s sake, she needed to try. Maybe there was a way to salvage their family if the mother was trying this hard to see her son.
    “Where’s Andy’s mother?” she asked the head of security, not sure that Jacob would have told her.
    The man pointed toward a door at the end of the hall where another guard stood. She made her way down the short corridor, stopping for a moment in front of Andy to give him a reassuring smile. His tear-filled eyes reinforced her resolve to try and make this work for him.
    At the door she paused and peered back. Jacob’s sharp gaze and the tightening about his mouth emphasized his displeasure at what she was attempting. Then she swung her attention to Andy, and the hopefulness she saw in his expression prodded her forward.
    Lord, let this work. Help me to reach Andy’s mother somehow.
    When Hannah entered the room, she found Andy’s mom sitting at a table, her head down on it as though she was taking a nap. The sound of the door closing brought the woman up, her gaze stabbing Hannah with fury.
    “You don’t have no right to take my son away. I wanna see Andy.”
    Calmness flowed through Hannah. She moved to the table and took the chair across from Andy’s mother. “I’m Hannah Smith, the manager at Stone’s Refuge where your son is staying.” She held her hand out.
    The young woman glared at it, then angled sideways to stare at the wall.
    “Mrs. Morgan, Andy wants to see you, but I want to be assured that you won’t upset him and cause a scene.”
    Again her angry gaze sliced to Hannah. “He should be with me. This ain’t none of your business. He’s my son!”
    Hannah assessed the woman, focusing on her eyes to try and discern if she was on any drugs. Other than anger, she didn’t see anything that indicated she was high. “The court has taken Andy away from you and is reviewing your parental rights. You may see Andy when you make prior arrangements with his case manager. You can’t see him alone.”
    Some of the anger leaked from her expression. “I just wanna see my baby. I shouldn’t have to ask for permission. I haven’t taken no drugs in days.”
    “That’s good. Would you consider going into a rehab facility?”
    Her teeth chewed on her lower lip. “Yes. Anything. Will I get Andy back then?”
    “That isn’t my decision. It will have to be the court’s. But it will be a step in the right direction.” Hannah folded her hands on the table, lacing her fingers together. “How did Andy get hurt the last time you were with him?”
    Tears sprang into the young woman’s eyes. “It was an accident. He fell and