It wouldn’t work. She was endangering the welfare of her baby in order to keep control—and losing all control by doing it. This was nuts. Jill had been right. She was going to have to go back.
Her heart sank. She knew it was a sort of defeat. But at the same time, it was only recognizing reality. A thousand things could go wrong, and most of them might hurt Savannah. What had she been thinking? She couldn’t risk it.
A sense of doom swept over her, catching in her throat, but she fought it back. There were other ways to fight this. It might take a bit of finesse, a talent for persuasion and a touch for manipulation. But she’d been there before.
Jake Martin wasn’t domesticated. He was a wild man. He lived unconventionally. There was nothing in his background or experience that had prepared him to take care of a baby. Surely the powers in the agency would see that. Surely that would go into their decision-making. Or was biology all that mattered?
There was one counselor who had been very helpful to her before, a Mrs. Truesdale. She’d taken a special interest in getting Savannah settled with Sara and had said to call her if there were any problems. That was the one she should have talked to. Maybe she could help.
Her baby’s fussing got more insistent.
“Okay, honey,” she told her, clicking open her seat belt and opening the car door. “I’m afraid we’re going to be turning around and going right back home again. But for now, let’s go look at the water. You need some good old ocean wind in your face.”
She bundled her baby in the blanket and carried her out onto the deck. A few other passengers were scattered along the railing, watching the icy blue-green water wash by. Lifting her face to the sun, she took a deep breath of fresh air. She was glad they were turning back. She needed to be with her sister. Together, they would think of something. She was sure of it.
She felt the large, hard hand take hold of her upper arm and she didn’t have to look to see who it was. But she did anyway, whipping her head around and gasping. Jake seemed taller, his shoulders seemed even wider, his face harder. His hand had clamped down on her flesh like a vise and she knew there was no way she could get away from him.
CHAPTER THREE
“HI SARA,” JAKE said, looking down at the bundle she carried.
She glared at him and clutched her baby up against her chest.
“So this is my little girl, is it?” he asked softly.
She quickly suppressed her original reaction. There was, after all, no place to run to while they were on the ferry.
“Hello, Jake,” she said. She couldn’t pretend to be pleased to see him, but she didn’t think screaming would do her any good. “Fancy meeting you in a place like this.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure you expected to see me again,” he said, his voice low and not particularly friendly. “You didn’t think you were going to get away that easily, did you?”
She gave him a look of round-eyed innocence. “Get away from what, pray tell?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m sure you’ve talked to the agency by now.” He shook his head, bemused. “I knew you were a runner from the start.”
“A runner?” She held her temper with a lot of effort. “Why would I run from you, Jake? Is there something I should know?” Her gaze narrowed. “In what way are you trying to threaten me?”
His mouth twisted. “I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now. I’m that little girl’s biological father.”
She knew he thought that, but still, hearing him say the words made her cringe. For just a few seconds, she was breathless, but she pulled herself together quickly.
“No kidding? Where’s your proof?”
He released her arm as though he’d decided she wasn’t going to run just yet. “All in good time,” he said softly.
She shook her head. If he thought he was going to bully her, he could think again. “Not good enough, Jake. You see, I’ve had this baby with me for six months now. I’ve mothered her. I’ve cared for her. I’ve loved her. I’ve done all the paperwork, paid all the fees. I’ve been inspected, injected and detected, as the old song might say. I’ve been found to be qualified.” Her eyes flashed. “What have you been found to be?”
He blinked at her and she could tell she’d actually made him think for just a moment.
“It’s coming,” he said at last, sounding a bit more defensive. “It’ll be proven soon.”
That gave her a small surge of hope.
“In other words, you’ve got nothing. Meanwhile, I’ve got all the official seals of approval I could possibly get. This baby and I have bonded, big time.” She had to stop to keep her voice from breaking. Taking a deep breath, she went on. “In order to even think about breaking that bond, you’re going to have to come up with some heavy-duty evidence. I’m not giving up easy.”
She glared at him. He glared right back. She could almost see sparks flying between them. This was no good and she knew it. But she couldn’t stop. She had to let him know how much this meant to her. He couldn’t be allowed to treat this as a lark of some kind. He had to know the consequences were serious.
He shrugged. “I may not have signed as many official forms as you have, but I’ve been tested. The DNA results will trump all your seals and certificates and …” He paused for a moment as though he regretted having to say it. “And all your emotional appeal, Sara. I’m sorry, but that’s reality.”
She knew he was right and it made her want to sob, but she couldn’t let him see weakness. “We’ll see about that,” she said.
Funny, but she’d been so scared when she was running from him. Now that he’d caught her, the fear was gone. There was a dark, burning anger deep inside her, and a determination that was growing stronger every minute. She knew only one thing for sure—she would not give up her baby. She would find a way.
He gestured in her direction and she flinched. It was an obvious move. His gaze met hers.
“Why would I hurt you?” he asked her, seemingly irritated by her reaction.
“I didn’t think you were going to hurt me,” she said coolly. “I just don’t want you to touch her.”
A series of emotions crossed his face but she wasn’t sure what it all meant. The only thought that came to her was, So this is what it’s like to have an enemy. Scary.
He looked out toward Seattle and seemed to settle his anger down. When he turned back toward her, his eyes were cold but his face was smooth. No emotions showing at all.
“Could I hold her?” he asked quietly.
She pressed Savannah closer, holding her tightly. This was painful. She just couldn’t do it. “She’s sleeping,” she said.
“No, she’s not. I can see her eyes. They’re wide-open. Just let me hold her for a minute.”
“No,” she said, feeling fierce. “Not here. Not yet.”
He stared down at her, not saying a word, but warning her that he could do whatever he wanted to do if he felt like it. At least, that was the message she took from the look in his eyes.
“There’s a security guard on this ferry,” she said quickly. “I could yell for help.”
His wide mouth twisted in half a grin. “You could. But you won’t.”
She