“He sees this as a game—the whole point is beating you. He's going to use the courts to attack you, and he's going to use Rose as a pawn. He doesn't want full custody. He probably doesn't even want shared custody. If the court grants him visitation, he will most likely not even keep to the schedule. He'll miss every date and appointment. There is one very serious weapon that we have in our arsenal.”

“What's that?” Liam asked, because Lily was too sick to respond.

“Child support. If he is found to be Rose's father, we can ask the court to order that he pay child support.”

“I wouldn't take his money if I were broke and penniless!” Lily said.

“Lily, I know,” Lindsey said. “It's just the way this kind of litigation is played.”

Played—was this some kind of game? Lily bowed her head—she was in a nightmare beyond imagining. She felt dizzy, completely overwhelmed.

“The court will appoint what's called a ‘guardian ad litem,'” Lindsey said. “Someone designated by the court to look out for the child's best interests, during the pendency of the case.”

Lily felt the world tilt. She was skidding off the earth, into space, into the void. A person designated to look after Rose's best interests? Someone other than Lily? She felt Liam take her hand.

“I can't believe this,” Lily said. “I don't want Edward in her life at all!”

“I know,” Lindsey said.

“Let's not even let it get that far. Fight the paternity test for as long as you can,” Liam said. “No matter what it costs. If it takes everything we have, it will be worth it, to keep him away from Lily and Rose.”

“The hearing is scheduled for next week,” Lindsey said. “We're ordered to appear before Judge Porter, at Family Court in Silver Bay, and I plan to play Rose's medical history strong and hard.”

“We'll be there,” Liam said. “And we'll tell him exactly who Edward Hunter is.”

Lindsey was gazing at Lily, as if assessing her strength, her capability for withstanding the prolonged court battle that lay ahead.

“I should have stayed hidden,” Lily whispered. “Shouldn't I?”

Lindsey didn't reply.

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

From the top deck of the Redtail—the Cape Hawk ferry—Patrick could see forever, or almost. A fine mist obscured only the very tops of the massive cliffs lining the great fjord, pine trees clinging to ledges, branches dotted with the white heads of adult male bald eagles; Cape Hawk harbor and bay, silver in the fog, sliced with the white wakes of fishing and whale-watch boats, rippled by the black backs of diving whales; the long, red-roofed inn, where Patrick and Flora were staying, nestled into the town; and the wharf, where Marisa was currently tending Lily's shop.