Love Inspired May 2015 #2 by Missy Tippens, Jean C. Gordon, Patricia Johns Page A

chose to call in the authorities? Jake did not want Abigail put in the system. It had happened to him after his parents died, before his aunt and uncle agreed to take him.
    Jake looked down at Abigail, who was once again nodding off, content for the moment. The quiet times, times when she looked so peaceful in his arms, settled inside him like a warm blanket.
    Three nights with her, and already he was attached.
    He looked up at Violet. “I haven’t been able to get hold of Remy.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    The thought of Remy never showing up made his lungs squeeze. How would he manage?
    â€œJake? How long will your cousin be gone?”
    â€œI don’t know when she’ll return. Maybe never.”
    Violet sucked in a breath through her nose, but the expression on her face remained neutral. A real professional. “Is this a new development?”
    He nailed her with his gaze, praying she’d understand. “I thought she would come back by now. I’m going to have to find her.”
    â€œRemy gave you this medical consent,” she said, waving the file folder, “but then decided not to return?”
    What if he never found her? What if he found her, but she refused to take Abigail back? His heart slammed against his chest as he debated telling Violet the last piece of the story.
    The doctor sat waiting.
    â€œWhen Remy dropped off the baby, she said she wants me to raise her daughter.” He pulled the handwritten and signed piece of lined notebook paper out of the diaper bag and handed it to her.
    Violet’s professional aloofness cracked. Concern put a wrinkle in her forehead, which didn’t do a thing to boost his confidence. “That’s not official.”
    â€œMaybe not. But it’s all I know at the moment.”
    â€œWhy would she want to give up her child?”
    Abigail let out a little whimper and stiffened her legs. He rubbed her tummy.
    â€œMy cousin has had some drug problems in the past.” Problems he’d tried like crazy to fix but had never been able. “Though she said she’s been clean for over a year, I don’t know what kind of situation she’s in.”
    â€œWhat about the father?”
    â€œHe died and has no family.”
    Nodding, Violet rolled her stool closer and smoothed the baby’s hair, almost as if she needed to comfort her for having a disappearing mom. The doc could be a kind, compassionate woman—when she wanted to be.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said. “For Abigail, and for you, Edith and Paul.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Her hazel eyes met his, and the warm, tender look he’d seen was gone. “But the authorities should be involved.”
    His insides froze. “I’m not letting Abigail go into the foster care system, not when Remy wants her with me. I’ll find Remy and we’ll work it out.”
    â€œDo you really believe she’s gotten clean?”
    â€œShe seemed different the other day. Almost as if she was truly sad to leave the baby but was doing what she thought best for her daughter.” Although she’d been hard as well, hard and still bitter toward him.
    Violet chewed the inside of her lip as if unsure, as if weighing her options.
    How would he possibly deal with handling a baby long-term? Pushing down the panic, he focused on keeping Abigail out of foster care. “My uncle is also trying to track Remy down. We need some time.”
    Her gaze clashed with his. “I’m just thinking of the welfare of the child.”
    â€œI can respect that. I promise you, if we don’t find Remy soon, I’ll contact a lawyer to figure out the next step.”
    â€œWhat if you find her, and she’s back on drugs?”
    Jake had no idea what he’d do. Had no idea what Edith and Paul would want to do.
    But he couldn’t go there right now. “At this point, I have to assume the best outcome—that Remy is clean and will want