Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer Page A

wanted you to have Nicky and secondly with the proof Nicky’s father only intends to use his son—a child who has been in your care his entire life—in a money-making scheme, I can’t imagine the law turning its back on you.”
    Lydia shifted to Father, who sat with a frown of concentration on his face. “What do you think? Should we try Micah’s idea and contact an attorney?”
    Father leaned back in his chair, examining Micah, his brows lowered and his chin thrust forward. “I suppose we could approach an attorney—I know one who would be discreet. We’ll need to ascertain Mrs. Fenwick has all of her facts straight before we make an official visit.”
    At Micah’s puzzled look, Lydia explained, “Mrs. Fenwick is the midwife who cared for Eleanor and kept Nicky for me until I arrived.”
    Micah nodded. “Yes. Hopefully she will have a written record of the babies she delivers to prove the date of Nicky’s birth. A note written by Eleanor giving you custody would be best, but even the midwife’s testimony as to what was said before Eleanor died will be important.”
    The pitter-patter of little feet carried from the corridor, andall eyes turned toward the intrusion. Nicky pounded into the kitchen, his stocking feet slapping the floor and his hair bouncing across his forehead. Mother followed closely, her face twisted into a disapproving moue contrasting with Nicky’s beaming smile.
    â€œMicah-my-friend is still here!” Nicky threw himself into Micah’s arms. Micah scooped him up and settled the little boy in his lap. Nicky leaned against Micah’s chest, crossed his arms, and beamed triumphantly at his grandmother. Lydia suspected a battle of wills had taken place upstairs, and Mother had lost. But looking at Nicky snuggled in Micah’s lap, she couldn’t find the means to scold him. Strange how quickly Nicky had taken to Micah. Nicky was a very personable little boy and he liked most people, but he had seemed to form an immediate attachment to Micah—much more quickly than he’d ever attached himself to anyone before.
    It pleased Lydia yet saddened her at the same time. Nicky’s affection for Micah solidified the knowledge that Nicky needed a father, but what man would willingly marry a woman who had given birth to an out-of-wedlock child? Carrying the stigma—a stigma she and her father had intentionally perpetrated—would make it nearly impossible for her to provide what Nicky needed.
    Despite her gloomy thoughts, a smile tugged at her lips as she watched Nicky engage Micah in a finger game. God, have our deceptions created a situation that will someday hurt Nicky more than it helps him? She recalled Micah saying that the courts would be more willing to name her parents as Nicky’s adoptive parents, and as much as it pained her, perhaps she should consider allowing them to assume the roles of mother and father. At least then Nicky would have a father in his life.
    â€œMama?”
    Lydia gave a start. Nicky and Micah were looking at herstrangely. She released a light, self-conscious laugh. “I’m sorry, sweetie, Mama was daydreaming. What did you say?”
    â€œI said, ” Nicky repeated slowly, “Micah-my-friend has time for one more walk before he has to go be a depend. Do you want to come, too?”
    Lydia looked at Micah. His blue eyes, expectant, pulled at her heart. She knew it wasn’t a good idea to spend time with Micah—it brought back memories of a time when she wanted him to be much more than a friend. But he’d be leaving soon, and there would be no more opportunities. She should grasp this brief happiness while she could. She offered a warm smile, answering Nicky but addressing Micah, “Yes, I would like to come.”
    Micah stood, scooping Nicky from his lap and swinging the giggling boy to his shoulders. “Up and down the street we’ll go, partner,