The Missing Heir(26)
“Say I was to appoint myself to the board,” she ventured.
“Say you were.”
“Would it hurt my custody argument? I mean, would it look like I was the kind of person who used Zachary to gain power in Coast Eagle?”
Destiny thought for a moment. “Maybe. I mean, we’d spin it that you were willing to step up and look after Zachary’s interests.”
“Would a judge believe that?”
“Maybe. It’s a fifty-fifty shot. Then again, a judge might just as easily take you not joining the board as a sign you weren’t a suitable guardian.”
“Problem is we can’t separate the two.” Amber set down her fork to free her hand for a drink of wine.
Zachary batted his arm out, nearly knocking the glass from her hand. She gave up on the drink.
“If you do it,” said Destiny, “Roth will spin it that you’re power hungry. If you don’t, he’ll spin it that you’re incapable. But Coco wanted you, and that’s important.”
“But Samuel wanted Roth.”
“He did,” Destiny agreed.
“And in a character and intellect debate, Samuel is going to win out over Coco every time.”
Destiny took a drink, and Amber couldn’t help but feel envious. She settled for another bite of the linguini.
A knock sounded on the door.
“That was fast,” said Amber, starting for the path through living room.
“They’re staying at the East Park.”
With a tired and tearful Zachary on her shoulder, Amber crossed to the entry hall. She checked the peephole and opened the door to Cole and Luca.
She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the dog at Cole’s heels. He’d told her about the shoe altercation, and his decision to take the animal back to the hotel. She also knew he’d been planning to drop the scruffy dog at a shelter. He hadn’t done it yet, and that was somehow endearing.
His expression was sympathetic as he gazed at the pathetically sobbing Zachary.
“I hear you’ve got trouble?” he said.
Zachary instantly perked up. He straightened in Amber’s arms, turning to Cole and blinking his watery eyes. Then he lunged for him.
Cole reflexively reached out, stepping forward to catch the baby. “Hey there, partner.”
“It’s hard not to take this personally,” said Amber, even though her arms and shoulders were all but singing in relief as the weight was removed.
For some reason, Luca was grinning ear to ear as he took in the sight of Cole and Zachary. “Nice to see you again, Amber.”
“Hello, Luca. I’m really sorry that Destiny called you guys. It wasn’t a fair thing to do.”
“No problem at all,” said Luca. “She in here?” He brushed past Amber.
The dog kept his position next to Cole.