Renovations (By Design Book 6) Read online

  “I’ll see you.”

  Candace hung up the phone and put her face in her hands.

  “Mom?” Shell called into the office.

  Candace looked up slowly. “Did you need something, Shell?”

  Michelle’s concern grew as she approached her mother. “Are you okay?”

  Candace’s strained smile answered the question.

  “What’s wrong?” Michelle asked.

  “Nothing you need to worry about,” Candace said.

  “Oh? Really? Is that why I heard Dana telling Jessica that you would clear your schedule this afternoon as much as possible? What’s going on?”

  “I told you, Shell. It’s not anything for you to be concerned about. And, I thought you and Jessica were trying to establish a friendship?”

  “This isn’t about me and Jessica. Although, I find it odd she never mentioned talking to you.”

  Candace nodded. “It’s not odd. It’s a personal matter that Jameson and I want to keep that way for now.”

  “Mom? Does this have anything to do with why Jameson asked Mel and Jonah to accept partnerships?”

  “Michelle, please…I’m asking you to please let this be for right now. When we’re ready, we’ll tell you.”

  Michelle shook her head. “I know that your schedule has been crazy, but Mom…I mean, you and J.D….”

  Candace laughed. “You think Jameson and I are splitting up?” she laughed harder.

  “You have a strange sense of humor,” Michelle observed.

  “Shell, what would give you a crazy idea like that?”

  “Jessica, for one.”

  “Because she is my ex or because she’s a lawyer?”

  “Both.”

  Candace rolled her eyes. “Well, you can relax.”

  “You’re really not going to tell me?”

  “Not unless there is something to tell,” Candace replied. “Now, what brought you in here? Bill sending you in to check my temperature?”

  Michelle snickered. Her boss did have a tendency to use Michelle to test the waters of Candace’s mood. “Not this time,” she told her mother. “The forecast shifted. He’s been on the phone with the major agencies. He wanted you to have this,” Michelle passed her mother a folder.

  Candace opened it. “Well, looks like your sister might have an extended vacation,” Candace said.

  “Could be substantial power loss, Mom. And, the temperatures are supposed to drop dramatically.”

  Candace groaned. “It never ends. Do me a favor. See if you can get Greg Stanton on the line for me.”

  “Why do you want Chief Stanton? I thought JMD was handling that situation? You really want to insert yourself…”

  “Not about the internal investigation, Shell. There are going to be a lot of people in danger from the cold on the streets.”

  “I know Bill had a call with Mayor…”

  “I trust Massaro about as much as I trust the forecast,” Candace said. “He blows with the wind. I want to hear the plan from the person who has to execute it. Get me Greg.”

  Michelle nodded. “Mom? Are you sure you are okay?”

  Candace smiled. She was grateful at the moment to have something else to concentrate on. Problem-solving and preparedness were two of Candace Reid’s professional strengths. She’d rather focus on the weather than the potential avalanche of her hopes. “Get Greg.”

  ***

  “Jay Jay?”

  “Yes, Spence?”

  “We go to find Nana?”

  Jameson smiled. “Yes, Spence, we are going to go find Nana. We’re going to stay in the mansion with her for a couple of days.”

  “Jay Jay?”

  “Yes, Spence?”

  “Can we stay with Nana fo-eva?”

  Jameson nearly choked on her answer. “Aww, Spence. You know Mommy and Maddie will be home soon. They would miss you.”

  “Mommy and Mads too,” he said.

  Jameson pulled the car onto Eagle Street and sighed. She looked at the run down row houses that lined the street. Different colors adorned them, giving them a sense of the life they once had. She pondered them—how magnificent this drive would have been even fifty years earlier. Things changed. Somehow, today, this drive reminded Jameson of how the past lingered amid the present. She could see the potential all around her. It was frustrating, how much life presented opportunities and then swiftly took then out of your control. She glanced in the rearview mirror at Spencer. He was playing with a toy truck, his earlier questions put aside for whatever story he was concocting in his head.

  Life was not fair sometimes. Jameson looked ahead as the large Executive Mansion came into view. It still possessed its grandeur. It loomed as a reminder for Jameson that everything had a façade. What you saw on the outside often did not equate to what existed beneath the surface. Potential existed everywhere. So too did disappointment. Jameson wondered if behind the worn paint on the houses across the street, if once inside she might find herself met with a sense of happiness and possi­bility. She pulled the car through the large iron gates into the governor’s fortress and looked at the splendid Italianate mansion. It was cold outside. Jameson expected that the same chill would greet her when she walked through the doors today.

  “Nana!” Spencer yelled excitedly.

  Jameson looked toward the front door. Sure enough, Candace was walking toward them, waving as she went. Jameson exited the car. Spencer had already unbuck­led himself. The moment she opened his door, he ran straight for Candace.

  “Found you, Nana!”

  “Yes, you did,” Candace greeted him happily.

  “Hi,” Jameson greeted her wife with a kiss on Candace’s cheek.

  “She’s here,” Candace told Jameson softly. Jameson nodded. “Spencer?” Candace took her grandson’s hand. “Aunt Shell is waiting for you inside.” Spencer looked up at Candace. “Go ahead. You know the way.” Spencer took off running as fast as he could.

  “Candace…”

  “I don’t know anything,” Candace said.

  “I wanted to wait for you. She’s with Shell in the kitchen.”

  “Did you tell Shell?”

  “No, and neither will Jessica,” Candace promised. Jameson nodded and looked at her feet. Candace took Jameson’s hand. “One step at a time, remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember. I just hope this isn’t the finish line.”

  ***

  “Okay, you have our attention,” Candace told Jessica.

  Jessica nodded and handed Candace a large folder. “Before you look at that, I want you to hear what I have to say.”

  Jameson felt Candace’s grip tighten on her hand. “We’re listening,” Candace said.

  “Cooper’s mother, Jackie was from Detroit. That’s where she grew up and where she left when she had Cooper,” Jessica began.

  “I thought his grandmother was in Ohio?” Jameson asked.

  “She is—now. Seems that she has done her share of moving as well. Lots of issues in this family,” Jessica looked directly at Candace. “What you might expect given how you found Cooper. Addiction, dealing, homelessness, lack of education—all of it,” Jessica said. “I’m not sure Jackie had much of a chance.”

  Candace nodded. “And, Cooper’s father?”

  “From what Laureen Cosgrove says that is anyone’s guess,” Jessica replied.

  “She doesn’t know?” Candace pushed.

  “Candy,” Jessica softened her voice.

  “Jessica, please. Just tell us. Does she want Cooper?”

  Jessica closed her eyes. “You are not going to like this.”

  “Jessica, we have to know.”

  Jessica looked at Candace. “I won’t even tell you how she referred to Cooper. It’s in that report. I think I can safely say that she wants no part of any child in her life and certainly not Cooper.”

  Candace sat shell-shocked. “What does she want?”

  Jessica’s lips turned into a small smile. “My honest opinion? A bottle o
f booze, and an endless supply of men and smokes—not to sound crass. I’m sure she is the product of a difficult life too. But, Candy, even if Laureen Cosgrove wanted Cooper, I feel confident there is not a court in this country that would grant that request,” she said. She pointed to the folder. “Look at the last page.”

  Candace opened the folder tentatively and flipped to the back. She strained without her glasses to bring it into focus. Jameson read along with her.

  “What is this?” Jameson asked.

  Candace looked at Jessica gratefully. “You went there yourself,” she said.

  “It seemed important enough,” Jessica said casually.

  Candace shook her head affectionately at her former partner. Jessica making a trip to Toledo was anything but ordinary. “Sure it did,” Candace said.

  “Can somebody help me here?” Jameson asked.

  Candace smiled at her wife. “She’s not going to take Cooper.”

  “What does that mean?” Jameson asked.

  Jessica tried not to laugh at Jameson’s innocence at the moment. Fear and hopefulness mingled in Jameson’s eyes. Jessica watched Candace closely, realizing that as much as she had shared with the former governor, not once had Candace looked at her the way Candace was looking at Jameson now. As strange as it might have seemed to some people—that realization made Jessica Stearns happier than she could recall.

  “It means that once the state closes its case on the kinship report, which should happen quickly, you should be able to move into the adoption process. I put a call into the director here at the regional Albany office this morning,” Jessica said. “I’ve known her for years. She used to work in the city. Her name is Sarah Milton. Of course, you can use a private agency if you prefer, and I will understand if you would prefer someone take over from here…”

  “No,” Candace said. “If we’re doing this, and you are willing…”

  “Of course, I am willing,” Jessica told Candace. Candace smiled.

  “Doing?” Jameson asked. “Can someone catch me up?”

  Candace turned at offered Jameson a bright smile. “Jessica is saying she will handle the adoption for us, Jameson. Assuming that is still what you want.”

  Jameson’s jaw dropped and she looked at Jessica in disbelief, afraid to believe what she had just heard.

  “She really is adorable,” Jessica joked to Candace.

  “Jameson?” Candace directed Jameson’s attention back to her.

  “You mean we can try to adopt Cooper?” Jameson asked. Candace nodded.

  “I never like to discount issues,” Jessica said. “I don’t foresee any, though—if that makes you feel any better.”

  “Should we? Move to foster first” Candace asked.

  Jessica shrugged. “You could. I don’t see the need. The fact is, that process will take as long. You have an advocate in Ginny Ross. You’ll have no issue with a home study, character references, and you are financially sound. I don’t anticipate issues.”

  “So? What happens?”

  “We fill out the application. I work with the agency along with you. From what I understand, Cooper will be placed temporarily here in Albany. You will be asked to complete visitations. Probably beginning at his foster home and gradually moving to longer visits spent here, likely with Ms. Ross or someone else present. It’s checks and balances,” Jessica explained. “Once that is completed, they will move to place him in your home,” Jessica said.

  “That’s it?” Jameson asked. “It’s that easy.”

  “Not easy. Frankly, you are at an advantage because of Candace,” Jessica said flatly. “And, you are at an advantage because you have the financial resources. And, you are at an advantage because Cooper is a little older, not white and needs placement.”

  “What does that mean?” Jameson asked. “He’s not white? What does that have to do with anything?”

  “It shouldn’t,” Jessica agreed. “But, it does. And, Jameson Cooper’s background would not make it easier for him to get adopted either. To be honest, without you and Candace, I would expect he would likely have fallen into the system.”

  Jameson felt sick. Immediately, she wondered how many Coopers there were out there without anyone who wanted them. Candace sensed the shift in her wife and squeezed her hand again.

  “Jessica, what do you need from us?”

  “Nothing right now. I’ll need you to sign some papers next week.”

  “You are not doing this for free,” Candace said flatly.

  “Yes, I am,” Jessica replied firmly. “And, don’t think about arguing with me. You can buy me dinner.”

  “I should buy you a restaurant for what you’ve already done,” Candace said.

  “Too much work,” Jessica scoffed at the notion making Candace laugh. “Do me a favor?” Jessica looked at Jameson.

  “Anything,” Jameson said.

  “Don’t let her read that folder without a bottle of wine. She’s going to get pissed when she reads what Ms. Cosgrove had to say about your future son.”

  Jameson nodded dumbly as Candace made her way to her feet to escort Jessica out. “I owe you,” Candace said as she opened the door of her office.

  “No, you don’t,” Jessica said honestly. “You know, I will always care about you, Candy. It might not be the way it was, but I never stopped caring about you or the kids.”

  “I do know,” Candace said.

  “Besides, you might need me to keep Shell calm.”

  Candace laughed. “I’m glad she called you.”

  “Me too,” Jessica agreed. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Candace hugged Jessica and kissed her on the cheek. “You know, you always were a big softie.”

  “I’ll keep your secrets,” Jessica winked. “You keep mine.”

  Candace watched Jessica leave and laughed. She closed the door again and turned back to Jameson. “You okay?”

  Jameson looked at Candace and nodded. “Candace?”

  “Yeah?”

  “This means I’ll be somebody’s mom?”

  Candace grinned. “Just realizing that?”

  “What if I suck?”

  Candace laughed. “I’m not worried about that at all.”

  “What if I lose him or something?” Jameson asked seriously.

  “You haven’t lost Spencer yet.”

  “I know where to look for him,” Jameson said. “What if Cooper…”

  Candace silenced Jameson with a kiss. “You will be amazing,” she said assuredly.

  “You think?” Jameson asked.

  “No, I know,” Candace said.

  “You’re sure, right? That you want to do this?”

  Candace smiled. “Jameson, if you had told me when we met that we would be sitting in The Governor’s Mansion talking about being parents, I would have told you to have me committed.”

  “But?”

  “Things change,” Candace said. “I don’t think there is much I would be afraid to do with you. And, I don’t think there is anything I would rather do than this. That’s the truth.”

  Jameson leaned in and kissed Candace on the forehead. “Never boring, is it?”

  “Not in this family.”

  ***

  Two Months Later

  “Nervous?” Jameson asked her wife,

  “Maybe a little,” Candace admitted with a smile.

  Jameson grinned. “Me too.”

  Jameson looked ahead to the Cape Cod home in front of them. Ginny Ross and Cooper’s foster mom Elaine were standing in the doorway.

  “Ginny,” Candace greeted the social worker. “Hello, Elaine.”

  “Governor,” Ginny Ross smiled. “He’s waiting in his bedroom,” she told Candace and Jameson.

  “Is it all right if we…” Candace began to ask.

  Elaine nodded. “I’m not sure he really understands,” she told Candace and Jameson. “I mean, that he gets to stay with you.”

  Candace nodded her understanding and took Jameson’s hand and they mad
e their way up the stairs to Cooper’s bedroom. Cooper was sitting on the bed with a pad of paper and his crayons. A blue suitcase sat by the door topped by a floppy, stuffed frog.

  “Cooper?” Candace called into the room.

  Cooper looked up, smiled, threw his project down and ran to Candace.

  “Well, that is some greeting,” Candace commented.

  Candace and Jameson had been visiting with Cooper regularly over the last two months. As Jessica had guessed, the visits started here at Cooper’s foster home. Elaine Rand was a woman in her sixties who had been caring for children like Cooper for over thirty years. She had been a social worker at one time and Candace was grateful that Cooper had been under Elaine’s compassionate care while she and Jameson traversed what at times could be a convoluted system. Gradually, visit times in­creased and Cooper had finally been allowed to stay with Candace and Jameson overnight a handful of times.

  Candace had been surprised by her children’s reaction to the news that Cooper would be joining their family, Michelle, as she expected, raised a number of con­cerns about Candace’s career. Jonah had accepted the news with a smile, which had not surprised her. It was Marianne who had completely taken Candace off guard. She found herself recalling Marianne’s words as Cooper wrapped his arms around her legs.

  “Shell, knock it off,” Marianne told her younger sister.

  “What? You of all people…”

  Marianne anticipated where her sister was heading and stopped her cold. “I was wrong about a lot of things,” she said. “Why shouldn’t J.D. and Mom have kids if that’s what they want? You’re the one who said that to me.”

  “Yeah, but Mom wasn’t governor then.”

  “So? Mom is still Mom, Shell.”

  Candace sat listening to her daughters’ conversation, curious as to where it would lead. She caught a glimpse of Jameson across the room watching curiously as well.

  “Marianne, I’m not saying that Mom and J.D. can’t have kids. I’m just saying that they should think about the future.”

  “Hello! We are sitting right here,” Jameson reminded them. Michelle looked at Jameson and waved her off. Jameson looked across the room at Candace, who had arched her brow in amusement.

  “Your sisters are insane,” Laura whispered in Jonah’s ear. He laughed.

  “For someone who liked to accuse me of being selfish, you sure are playing the role well,” Marianne said to Michelle.