1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [63]
Of course, he might’ve been at the firehouse, but then Charlotte remembered Olivia mentioning that she’d seen Mack and Mary Jo together that same afternoon. So Mary Jo could easily have discussed the matter with him. Instead, she’d come to Ben and her.
Charlotte turned to her daughter. “Why are you asking about Mack?” He wasn’t part of the equation. This had to do with David, Mary Jo and Noelle.
“The reason I asked about Mack’s feelings toward Mary Jo,” Olivia said, “is because he might want to adopt Noelle if and when he marries Mary Jo. You told me you thought that would be the case.”
Oh, yes. She had said that. And it was true.
“I just want everyone to be aware of the potential complications.”
Ben shrugged. “If I know David, I’d say he’ll do everything within his power to make the adoption as hard as possible. He doesn’t want Noelle himself, but he won’t want anyone else to become her father. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how my son’s mind works.” Ben lowered his head. “Much as I hate to admit this about my own flesh and blood, if David feels he has the upper hand, he’ll use it to his advantage.”
“Then I suggest,” Olivia said, “that you take that power away from him now.”
“What do we need to do?” Ben asked.
“Have Mary Jo file for child support.”
“If she will,” Charlotte felt obliged to insert. The girl had been so terrified that David would try to take Noelle away from her.
“David will put up a fight, so warn her in advance to be prepared for that. Really, it’s what we want because the next move will be Mary Jo’s. She can then approach him with relinquishment papers.”
“What does that entail?” Ben asked. “Is it as straightforward as it sounds?”
“Pretty much. If David signs those papers, he relinquishes his rights as Noelle’s father. Then Mack would be free to adopt Noelle,” Olivia explained.
Charlotte clasped her hands together. “That would be wonderful!”
“And if not Mack, some other man in the future,” Olivia added. “If David wants out of paying child support, this is the way to do it. I can almost guarantee it’ll save Mary Jo untold heartache later on.”
Charlotte was more than satisfied. “We need to discuss this with Mary Jo,” she said.
“At our earliest opportunity,” Ben concurred.
For the first time since David’s last visit, Charlotte noticed that the frown he’d constantly worn had disappeared.
Seventeen
“You know what Mack’s going to tell us, don’t you?” Corrie said confidently as she finished setting the table for dinner. Mack had asked if he could bring Mary Jo and Noelle over on Friday evening. That was unusual, so Corrie was convinced she knew the purpose of this visit. Their son was going to announce that he’d asked Mary Jo to marry him. They’d planned to drop by for coffee or a drink, but Corrie had invited them all to dinner. After checking with Mary Jo, Mack had confirmed that they’d be available.
Roy was in the living room, watching the news, and didn’t answer.
“Roy!” Corrie said, so excited she could barely contain herself. “Mack is going to tell us he’s asked Mary Jo to be his wife.”
“You’re sure of that?” he asked, glancing briefly away from the screen.
“Not one hundred percent. Call it a mother’s intuition, but I know my son, and he’s head over heels about Mary Jo and that baby girl.”
Roy shrugged. “Time will tell. Don’t plan the wedding yet.”
Corrie set the casserole dish on the table to cool. She’d made one of Mack’s favorite recipes, shepherd’s pie with a mashed-potato base.
Mack had asked for this dish on every birthday for as long as Corrie could remember. It seemed fitting to prepare it for him the night he told them he was engaged. She wondered what kind of ring he’d bought Mary Jo….
“They’re here.” Roy was looking out the front window, which provided a good view of the driveway.
“Perfect timing,” she said, rubbing her hands together. And she meant it in more ways than one. Linnette and Pete were married and now their son, too, was ready to start his family.
Corrie removed