Apprentice Father by Irene Hannon Page B

wonders, Clay.” Cate’s earnest encouragement came over the line, instilling a spark of hope. “And no matter what challenges come up, we’ll address them.”
    We’ll address them.
    Knowing Cate had taken on his fight as if it were her own did more to uplift his spirits than anything else. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    And as he hung up, Clay resolved that he would win the battle brewing with his father.
    No matter what it took.

Chapter Seven
    T he next morning, Mark set a yellow legal pad on the mahogany conference table in his office and took a seat opposite Clay. “I reviewed the document you couriered over. And I have a few questions.”
    â€œI figured you would.”
    â€œYou may not like some of them.”
    â€œI don’t like any of this.”
    â€œIt’s only going to get messier.” Mark picked up a pen and settled back in his chair. “Tell me about your father.”
    Clay gave a derisive snort. “He’s a joyless, authoritarian tyrant with a twisted view of Christianity who leaves misery in his wake.”
    Mark tapped his pen against the palm of his hand. “I’m picking up a lot of hate here.”
    â€œYeah, well, I don’t exactly harbor good feelings about the old man. And he’s ill-equipped to raise Josh and Emily.”
    â€œIn your opinion.”
    Leaning forward, Clay gripped the edge of the table. “It’s not opinion. I lived with that man. I know what it’s like. I wouldn’t wish that kind of childhood on my worst enemy.”
    Mark regarded Clay with a dispassionate expression. “The court will consider facts, not feelings or conjecture. So let’s examine the facts.” He scanned the document Clay had received from his father’s attorney. “Your father claims you have no stable home in which to raise the children. Is that true?”
    â€œIt depends on how you define stable.”
    â€œHow long have you lived at your present address?”
    â€œAbout three months.”
    â€œWhere did you live before that?”
    â€œIndianapolis.”
    â€œFor how long?”
    â€œEight months.”
    â€œAnd before that?”
    â€œCleveland. For sixteen months.”
    â€œAnd your father lives in Des Moines. Does he have a house?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHow long has he lived there?”
    Clay gritted his teeth. “Forty years. Okay, I get your point.”
    â€œGood. But there’s more. Do you attend church on a regular basis?”
    â€œI do now.”
    â€œSince when?”
    â€œSince I got the kids.”
    â€œHow about your father?”
    â€œHe’s gone every week for as long as I can remember. But that doesn’t mean he’s a good Christian.”
    â€œWe’re only looking at facts, remember? What are your finances like?”
    â€œI do okay.”
    â€œWould you say you’re as well off as your father? Able to provide the children with as many material advantages as he can?”
    â€œI can give them everything they need.”
    â€œYou didn’t answer my question.”
    â€œOkay.” Clay’s breath hissed out through his teeth. “From a financial perspective, my father has the resources to give them a more cushy life. But he won’t.”
    â€œProve it.”
    A cold knot of fear twisted Clay’s stomach. “This isn’t looking good, is it?”
    â€œIt’s not a lost cause. But I want you to know what you’re going to be up against if this goes before a judge. Let’s talk for a minute about your father’s claim that you lead a ‘wild’ life.”
    â€œThat’s a bunch of…nonsense.” Clay changed his choice of noun at the last second.
    Mark eyed him. “You’re…how old, Clay?”
    â€œThirty-four.”
    â€œAnd single.”
    â€œYou make that sound like a sin.”
    â€œDepends on the reason. There are implications in