“Here you go, sweetheart,” he said, handing his wife the paperwork. “Three copies, as you requested.” Then he bent down to peer at Benny, who had fallen fast asleep. “He’s a lovely child.”
Kelsey swallowed the urge to say thank you. Benny was not her child. In fact, any moment now, Mrs. Kendall was likely going to—
“This form appoints you as temporary guardian for Benjamin,” Samantha said. “If you’ll sign on the line above your name, then we’ll file this on Monday, taking care of the legalities.”
“I’m sorry?” Kelsey felt her heart leap. She couldn’t have heard what she’d thought she’d heard.
Samantha gave her a matter-of-fact look. “We don’t have a Department of Children’s Services here in town. Someone has to look after him. Besides, with my son and Matthew on the case, they’re likely to find Benny’s parents soon.” The magistrate shrugged. “This is easiest all the way around, don’t you agree?”
“We’ve lots of room out at the ranch,” Steven said. “You and Benny can stay there. With your business it’ll be easier if we all pitch in. Plus,” he lowered his voice and winked, “I’ve got horses.”
Just then, the door to the clinic opened, and Tracy’s mother, Heather Jessop, came in. “Where would you like these?” She held two full-to-bursting shopping bags.
“Here, I’ll take them,” Preston said. “Your Jeep outside, Steven?”
“Yes, Preston, it is. It’s not locked.”
“Of course not,” Preston said.
“There’s some pajamas and enough outfits for a few days, and a few toys as well. We’ll have some more things gathered for you tomorrow,” Heather said to Kelsey.
Kelsey looked down and saw Matthew and then Steven sign as witnesses each of the three pages that Preston Kendall had produced.
“Here, let me have him for a moment,” Steven said. “I think I’m the only one of us who hasn’t held him yet.”
Kelsey watched as Steven deftly plucked the sleeping child from her arms and settled him in against his big chest. She had the same thought now that she had when Matthew had scooped him out of the booster chair in the restaurant and run with him to the clinic.
The Benedict brothers would make good fathers one day.
With her arms empty, Kelsey accepted the pen and papers from Matthew. She didn’t let herself think. She just signed her name in the appropriate place on all three pages.
She handed the pen and papers back to Samantha.
Preston came back into the clinic. “Anna and Jackson have brought over a child’s car seat. They said it’ll just take a few moments for them to install it, then you’re good to go.”
Samantha smiled. “With all the grandchildren floating around these days, I doubt you’ll want for anything for this little man.”
“There was a letter in Benny’s bag,” Adam said quietly. “I’ll come over in a while and show it to you.”
Matthew put his hand on Kelsey’s back. “Do you need to go back to work, sweetheart?”
“No. Tracy will close up for me. Oh, but I have to tell her.”
Heather, who was still there, came over and gave Kelsey a hug. “I’ll tell her. Michelle will likely help her. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“No.” Kelsey felt as if she’d been covered in bubble wrap in that she felt a little outside of herself. Everyone was being so kind and generous, and all for a little boy they didn’t even know. “No, I won’t worry about anything. Well, except Benny.” She turned to look at Matthew and Adam. “I hope you find his mother soon. A little boy—” Kelsey had to stop because her throat tightened and her voice caught.
Too close, too close.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, fought for control. And then she continued. “A little boy needs his mother.”
“Don’t worry, love. We’ll find her,” Matthew said.
“You go on, the three of you, and get him settled for the night,” Adam said. “I’ll begin the preliminary investigation. Don’t need two of us for that. And then I’ll be by, give you an update, and show you the letter.”
Kelsey looked over to where the doctors Jessop stood talking to the receptionist and a couple of townspeople. Kelsey couldn’t recall if they were Kendalls or Benedicts, and nodded her thanks.
She received a nod and a smile back.
“You want to sit in back with him?” Matthew asked. The men, one of them holding a sleeping Benny, flanked her as they walked out of the clinic.
“Yes, please.”