Her Christmas Hero by Linda Warren Read Free Book Online

international flight attendant. It requires her to be gone for long periods.”
    â€œI’m aware of that, and I’m also aware she has a nine-month-old son.”
    â€œMs. Davis’s mother takes very good care of him while Ms. Davis is away.”
    â€œBut Dillon is not being cared for by either of his parents.” The judge flipped through the papers. “A six-month work log of Ms. Davis has also been filed by Mr. Wallis. In June and July she was home only one week each month. That concerns me.”
    â€œYour Honor.” Britt had to speak. She could feel this spiraling in the wrong direction. “I took the summer flights to make extra money to support my child. It’s not something I do on a regular basis. And when I’m away, I speak with him every morning, and every night before he goes to bed. I love my son and I’m trying to make a better life for him.”
    â€œBut you’re not there for him physically.”
    The truth of that hit her in the chest like a sledgehammer, and she had no words to defend herself.
    â€œMr. Ross.” The judge turned her attention to Quinn. “Do you have anything to add?”
    â€œYes, Your Honor.” He stood and buttoned his jacket. “With Ms. Davis’s…busy schedule, Mr. Rutherford is concerned about his son being raised…by a grandmother. He’s offering…to be there for the boy full time…morning, night and he’ll come home for lunch. Mr. Rutherford will hire a nanny for when he’s at work. I submit…that at this time Philip Rutherford…is the better parent to raise Dillon Allan.”
    The judge frowned. “Mr. Ross, is there something wrong with your voice?”
    Quinn raised a hand to his neck. “I have a bit of a sore throat.”
    â€œThought so. Your usual stellar voice is a little off, but nonetheless effective.”
    â€œDo something,” Britt whispered to Mona. “Don’t let them take my son.” The fear in her became very real. She felt it with every beat of her heart. Phil’s father was very powerful in Austin, and somehow they had gotten to the judge. That was the only explanation. And they’d hired Quentin Ross to deliver the blow that would rip out Britt’s heart.
    Mona was on her feet once again. “Your Honor, they’re using Ms. Davis’s job as a weapon to take her son. A baby needs to be with his mother.”
    The judge folded her hands on the papers. “I agree, Ms. Tibbs, a baby needs to be with his mother. But Ms. Davis isn’t there. She’s a drop-in mother. A nine-month-old boy needs more. He needs a full-time mother. A full-time parent.”
    â€œA lot of mothers work.”
    â€œBut they’re there in the morning and at night. As the situation stands I see no recourse but—”
    â€œNo.” Britt jumped to her feet. “You can’t take my son. He’s my life. I’m his mother. ”
    â€œMs. Davis, I rarely take a child from the mother, but as I said, and Mr. Rutherford’s lawyer has stated, you’re not there for your baby. Until your situation changes I’m granting temporary custody to the father, Phil Rutherford.”
    â€œNo, no, don’t do this. Can’t you see what they’re doing? Don’t, please.” Tears rolled from her eyes and she quickly brushed them away. She felt her mother’s arm around her waist and she leaned on her for support.
    â€œI said temporary, Ms. Davis. I’ll review this case in four months. That will give you time to sort out your life.” She turned to the laptop on her left and typed in information.“You are to hand over the boy to Mr. Rutherford at ten in the morning and—”
    â€œNo,” Britt said with force. “I refuse to hand over my child to a drug addict. You’re endangering his life. What kind of judge are you?”
    â€œSit down, Ms. Davis.”
    Britt stared at the