Apprentice Father by Irene Hannon Page A

head. “It’s the bestest place we’ve ever lived.”
    Clay tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. “It’s the bestest place I ever lived, too.”
    And that was no lie. Though he’d traveled all over the world, lived in exotic lands and in a dozen cities across the United States, he’d always been alone. Having these two children—and the warm, caring woman across from him—in his life had made even his tiny apartment feel like a real home.
    As they walked toward his truck a few minutes later holding hands, the children tucked between him and Cate, he vowed to do everything he could to restore to their lives the fragile peace and security they’d just begun to enjoy.
    But it wasn’t going to be easy, not with the looming threat from his father. And while he’d tried to reassure them, he knew the children were aware of the danger.
    Because that night, for the first time in weeks, Josh had an accident.
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    Two weeks later, when Clay noted the caller ID on his office phone, his pulse ratcheted up. Cate had never called him at work before.
    Grabbing the receiver, he locked it against his ear.
    â€œCate?” Despite his efforts to remain calm, alarm nipped at his voice.
    â€œA letter arrived for you today from a Des Moines law firm.”
    â€œWhere are the kids?”
    â€œInside, eating lunch. I’m on the landing.”
    â€œOkay. Go ahead and open it. No sense putting off bad news.”
    The sound of rustling paper came over the line, followed by silence that seemed to last forever. “It’s written in typicalincomprehensible legalese,” Cate said at last. “But the gist is clear. Your father is appealing to the court for custody, claiming you’re an unfit guardian.”
    Clay uttered a word that made her gasp.
    â€œSorry.” He expelled a frustrated breath. “I was afraid this was going to happen. But I guess I was hoping he’d let it go.”
    â€œThere’s also some stuff in here about your lifestyle that’s not very…pretty.”
    â€œI can imagine.” Coiled anger stiffened his words. “My father always thought I led a wild, wanton life.”
    â€œYeah. It kind of suggests that.”
    At her faint response, his stomach clenched. Tightening his grip on the phone, he massaged his temples with his free hand. “Cate, I don’t know what’s in there. But I can promise you it’s greatly exaggerated.”
    â€œThey can make an issue of it, though, in court. If this gets that far.”
    Clay closed his eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was drag the kids through a court battle. But he couldn’t let them fall into the hands of his father, either. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
    â€œI’m no legal expert, but the stuff in here sounds pretty serious. I think you’re going to need an attorney. I’m sure Mark would be willing to help you out.”
    Though he hadn’t had a chance to talk much to Cate’s brother at Easter dinner, the man had struck him as sharp and insightful. “Good idea. I’ll give him a call.” Sighing, he wiped a hand down his face and regarded the defective blueprint on his desk. Problems at work, problems at home. Could things get any more complicated?
    â€œHey.” Cate’s gentle, sympathetic voice interrupted his pity party. “Things will work out.”
    â€œI wish I had your confidence.”
    In truth, what he wished was that she was sitting beside him now, their fingers entwined. Those few minutes a couple of weeks ago, as they’d held hands at the fast-food restaurant, had been an oasis of comfort and calm in the chaos that had become his life. And for a man who had always thought he operated best alone, that brief physical connection had been an eye-opening example of the power of sharing and unity.
    â€œWhen people are committed to doing the right thing, the Lord can work