Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

problem.”
    Father leaned forward, his brows coming together in a serious expression. Lydia’s ear perked up, as well, ready to hear Micah’s idea.
    Micah turned a pensive look in Lydia’s direction. “You said Nicky’s father—this Nicolai Pankin—wants Nicky because he wants the money he can gain. The man isn’t interested in parenting Nicky, so his custody will be short-lived, no matter what. He’ll be handing Nicky off to someone. So why not arrange to have him handed off to you?”
    Father frowned. “I’m not sure I follow.”
    Micah worked his thumbs back and forth, his forehead wrinkling. “What if you two, with the midwife, visited an attorney. The midwife can verify Nicky has been in your care since his birth at his mother’s request. The attorney could draw up adoption papers for Nicky.” Micah grimaced, flicking an apologetic glance at Lydia before facing her father. “It’s likely they would prefer for you and your wife to be recorded as the adoptive parents—”
    Lydia’s heart jumped. “But I’m Nicky’s mother!”
    Micah touched her arm in understanding. “I know, but you’re also unmarried. If you want the court to work in your favor, you will probably need to bend on this issue. It would only beon paper—it wouldn’t change your relationship with Nicky. He could continue calling you the familiar names.”
    Lydia opened her mouth to argue, but Father’s stern expression silenced her protests. When she dropped her chin, Father nodded at Micah.
    â€œContinue with what you were saying, Dr. Hatcher.”
    â€œYour next step would be to locate Pankin and find out what his other connection has offered in the way of purchasing”—he made a sour face as he spoke the reprehensible word—“Nicky. Let him convince you to pay him instead, but insist he sign papers relinquishing Nicky to your custody before you actually give him the payment.”
    Lydia stared at Micah in shock. “You want us to buy him?”
    â€œTruthfully, Lydia, in the eyes of the law, what you’ve done up to this point is kidnap him.” The words were harsh, but Micah’s gentle tone softened the reprimand.
    â€œBut to give that man money . . .”
    Micah held up his hand. “Let me finish, please? Your attorney will be notified of your intentions and the reason you’re doing it. Once Pankin has taken the money from you, you can go to the authorities and alert them to what has transpired. They can pursue the legalities of the whole situation. If you have forewarned a legal authority of your intentions, as well as Nic’s reason for wanting his son, I’m certain they will work in your favor. Plus you will have a legally binding document saying that Nicky is yours. You won’t have to fear Pankin anymore.”
    Lydia silently digested Micah’s words. Father stood, poured himself another cup of Postum, then returned to his seat and bracketed the cup between his palms without drinking. Releasing a heavy sigh, he said, “Don’t think I haven’t considered offering that lunatic money. What’s kept me from doing it is the fear that he’ll just come back for more, like a leech, until he’s drained me dry.”
    Micah nodded. “If you do it on your own, it’s very likely Pankin will see you as an unlimited source of income to feed his habit. That’s why you can’t do it on your own. You’ve got to involve the proper authorities.”
    â€œDo you really think Nic would be arrested and Nicky would be free of him?” Lydia hardly dared to hope that Micah could be right.
    Micah shrugged. “Obviously, I can’t guarantee anything. I don’t know the laws of the state of Massachusetts. But it only seems logical that if you go to an attorney, armed first of all with the midwife’s verification that Eleanor