LITMIR.BIZ

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the teen dozing with the television on, so Page picked up the remote control from the bedside table and turned the TV off. Ruby opened one eye to glare at her. “Hey, I was watching that.”

      She highly doubted that. “How are you feeling today?”

      Ruby rubbed her rounded belly and shrugged. “Okay, I guess. The pains haven’t started again, so that’s a good thing, right?”

      “Very good.” Page looked up and peered into Ruby’s eyes. “Your color looks better. Have you seen the doctor this morning?”

      “She stopped by an hour or so ago.” Ruby shifted in the hospital bed and reached behind her for a pillow. Page stepped forward and helped her get more comfortable. “She thinks I can get out of here later today or tomorrow morning, but they’re waiting on some test.”

      “Sounds about right.” She sat in the chair next to the bed. “I’ve been working all night to get a place ready for you at my house. Do you still want to do that?”

      Ruby looked at her. “I guess.”

      Page doubted she could have gotten anything more enthusiastic from her. Ruby appeared to be jaded and cynical no matter what, albeit for good reason. “We’re just waiting on social services to sign off on my application, but my friend Mateo, he’s a lawyer, is hoping to get that finalized by tomorrow.”

      Ruby’s brow furrowed. “What happens if it isn’t, and they kick me out of here?”

      “You could end up in another foster home.”

      Ruby started to shift as if she was going to get out of the bed. “Oh, no. I’m not doing that again.”

      Page put a hand on her shoulder, wanting to reassure the girl, but she realized it was a feeble attempt. If Ruby wanted to leave, she could. “It would only be a night or two until you can stay with me.”

      Ruby grasped Page’s hand. “Don’t make me go to a foster home, please.”

      The fear in the girl’s eyes made Page even more determined to bring this girl home with her. “I’m doing my best.”

      Ruby nodded.

      Page took a seat on the hospital bed. “Can you tell me anything more about your family?”

      She kept her gaze on the window across the room. “What family?”

      Page was losing patience with the girl. How would she ever help someone who didn’t meet her halfway? “They’re going to check out your story, so be sure you’re telling us everything. No grandparents? Aunts or uncles?”

      Ruby folded her hands in her lap and kept her gaze on them. “It was just my mom and me until she died. If there were any relatives, she didn’t tell me one word about them.”

      “How did she die?”

      Ruby raised her eyes to Page. “Don’t matter now. She’s just dead.”

      “Did she know about your baby?”

      “I found out just before she died. I didn’t know how to tell her. I didn’t want her to be disappointed in me.”

      “I’m sure she would have loved you anyway.” When Ruby nodded, Page could tell that the bond between the two had been strong. “I don’t want you to think that I’d be taking your mom’s place if you come and stay with me. Maybe you could think of me as a friend, though.” She pulled a notebook and pen from her purse. “And I thought you could write a letter for the judge telling him where you want to live.”

      Ruby took the notebook and opened to a clean page. “You mean with you.”

      “I thought it would help our case.”

      Ruby peered at her. “You really want this?”

      “I do.”

      “What about when the baby comes?”

      Page already knew the answer. “We’ll figure it out together, no matter your decision.”

      Ruby gave a short nod then started to write.

      A nurse entered the room to check Ruby’s vitals, ending the conversation. Page stepped back so that Tiffany could check over Ruby. She gave her a nod before leaving the room. Ruby raised an eyebrow at the exchange. “Friend of yours?”

      Hardly. “I think she’s after my job.”

      “There’s always someone who wants what you got.” Ruby nodded as if she was the older and wiser one.

      “You’ve got that right.”

      * * *

      MATEO HUNG UP from his phone call with Brittney and pumped his fist in the air. Together, they had been able to work a miracle. He scrolled through his contacts and found Page’s name. He pressed his finger on it and waited for the call to connect. “It’s Mateo. Where are you?”

      “With Ruby at the hospital.”

      “Do you think you can meet me at your house ASAP? Judge Bond has agreed to hear our case at three this afternoon, but the social worker wants to complete a home inspection before that.” He glanced at his watch. “She can meet us at your house within the hour. Does that work?”

      “Yes, of course.” She muffled the phone and relayed the news to the girl. “Thank you, Mateo. Ruby thanks you, too.”

      “Let’s take this one step at a time before you get too excited. We still have a ways to go.”

      Mateo just hoped that the judge would agree that Page was Ruby’s best option.

      * * *

      HE ARRIVED AT Page’s house and saw Brittney’s car parked in the driveway. He walked up to the front door, found it open and stepped inside. “Hello?”

      Page popped her head from around the corner and waved him down the hallway to the guest room. He entered and greeted Brittney. “Thanks for being on the ball with this, Britt.”

      “Don’t thank me yet. We still have to convince the judge.” She turned and gave a bright smile to Page. “But I think we’ll get what we want.”

      Page sighed and placed a hand to her chest. “I want to do everything I can for Ruby.”

      Brittney left to inspect the rest of the house. Mateo stepped closer to Page. “Has she opened up more about her family?”

      “According to her, there isn’t any. None she knows of anyway. It was always her and her mom until the mom died. She did say she knows her father’s name. Thomas Burns.” She rubbed her bare arms and looked down at her T-shirt and shorts. “Guess I should get changed for court.”

      “The judge is going to be more interested in what you have in your heart than what clothes you have on your body.” He scanned her from head to toe. “On the other hand, it wouldn’t hurt to put on something a little more dressy.”

      She nodded and went to change. Mateo walked back to the living room, where he found Brittney making notes on her tablet. She clutched the tablet to her chest. “No peeking. You know the rules.”

      He knew very well what they were up against, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to get an advantage. “Do you think she’s got a chance?”

      “More than a chance if I have anything to say about it. Have you seen how clean and organized this place is? I’m tempted to hire her to come and take a stab at my apartment.” Brittney walked into the kitchen and opened a cupboard. “The spices are organized alphabetically. And the cans by food group. Don’t even get me started on the color-coded closets and linens.”

      “It takes more than organization to convince a judge.”

      “She’s got stellar references from her friends to provide emotional support, although I wish she had stronger family ties.” She typed in more notes. “But then maybe she can identify with

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