Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

meet families or single parents who have no idea what their options are.”

Scanning the list, I said, “This is perfect. Thank you.” I placed it on the desk in front of me. “Is there anything else I can do? I don’t want him to quit.”

“You could talk to the school. There’s parenting classes you could suggest she take, but I doubt she will.”

“Right.” Lizzie didn’t seem like the type who’d voluntarily take parenting classes.

“If you want social services to step in and what you say is true, they can require her to take classes.”

I shook my head. “Oh, no, I don’t want to do that. I think she’s misguided, but he’s not being abused.”

“Not abuse, but he may be neglected. I’ve seen far worse, but it’s not to say what he’s experiencing isn’t damaging, it is.”

“I agree. I don’t think it rises to the level that family services can help, but I’d like to help on a personal level.”

Her shrewd eyes assessed me. “This teen means something to you.”

“You could say that.” Zach and Gabe were important to me. I’d fight for Zach like I would for Caleb. I knew that without a doubt.

“Help the mother, but don’t alienate her. Don’t make her feel bad for her decisions. Guide her to make better ones without shaming her. That will be your biggest challenge. Her first inclination will be to say you don’t understand her situation.”

Thinking of the way I was brought up, I didn’t. “I don’t but I’m trying to.”

“That’s all you can do—be empathetic and try to help.” Angela stood. “I’d better get going. I have another appointment.”

I stood too. “Thanks for meeting with me. I have the written reports in the file, but I find it’s more helpful to speak in person.”

“I agree but not every attorney feels that way.” Her shoulders slumped like she was weary of her job then she smiled. “You’re going to do great.” As I followed her out of my office and down the hall to the lobby, she continued, “All the good ones worry about whether we can do this job. It’s the ones who aren’t affected we should be worried about.”

“That’s true.” My mind shot to Preston. He never talked about how the job got to him. “And thanks for your advice.”

“You’re a good person, Taylor.”

Was I? I knew I was when it came to my job and my friends, but what about my family? I’d left Caleb when he still needed me. “Thanks.”

“Nice meeting you,” she said, and we shook hands before she went through the double glass doors and waited for the elevator.

Was it enough that I knew I was doing the right thing helping these children—preventing the perpetrators from hurting someone else? Could I live with this sick feeling in my stomach every time I prepped a case? Could I look these kids in the eye at trial and ask them to relive their worst nightmares?

Chapter Twenty-Five

GABE

Work provided a sense of purpose I’d never felt before. Isaac trusted in me. He believed in me. A part of me didn’t think I was smart enough to be a manager or a business owner, but so far, things seemed manageable. Plus, I had Isaac and Taylor’s support. It was hard to be down on yourself when everyone else in your life encouraged you. Feeling more confident, I searched online business classes. It was something I was considering but I didn’t mention it to anyone. I worried it would be too much to take on with my additional responsibilities at the bar. Plus, I’d never been particularly good in school.

Friday morning, I was preparing to head to work when there was a knock at the door. Both Taylor and Zach had a key to my apartment, and I didn’t get visitors otherwise, so I had no idea who it could be. Looking through the peephole I saw a woman in a sweater and slacks with a briefcase. I hesitated to open the door but what if she was here about Zach?

“Can I help you?” She could be a salesperson but we never got those in this neighborhood.

She handed her card to me. “I’m Elise Glover, caseworker for Zach Flanagan.”

Her card read Department of Children and Family Services.

My stomach dropped. What if Zach had gotten arrested or into trouble? I’d been worried about me when I should have been worried about him. Had she removed Zach from his mother? “Zach has a caseworker?”

“He does now.” Her lips pursed as she tried to peer past my shoulder into the apartment.

“I don’t understand.” I stood in the doorway, unmoving. Was she here to discuss me being a guardian for him? No, things never work out that easily.

“Can I come in, Mr. Adler?”

How did she know my name? Why was she here? Lizzie accused me of bad intentions toward Zach, but would she actually make a formal accusation without any proof just because I’d expressed concern for him? It was an effective way to get someone to back off your family, and with my record an investigation would be launched. I got the same feeling I did when I had been a teen in trouble. In front of this woman, I felt small, like nothing I said would make a difference. Whatever Ms. Glover thought she knew before she knocked on my door wouldn’t change when I spoke. It never did.

My shoulders dropped as I reluctantly widened the door so she could come in. I didn’t offer her anything to drink because I didn’t want to delay finding out the reason she was here even if I wasn’t going to like it. “Well?” I asked once she sat on the couch and I stayed standing.

“Please sit.” Her mouth was pinched as she stared up at me in disapproval.

“I’d prefer to stand.” Deep down, I was that teenager who bucked authority. I didn’t want to be on equal footing with her when she said what she had to say. I shoved my hands