the baby came first. Understanding would have to wait. The threat of unlimited resources poured into a potential court battle left her no choice. She needed to call in reinforcements, and nobody did off-radar protection like the former military. With Reed’s blessing and assistance, she reached out to Cy. He figured out what she needed to do and helped devise a plan without a lot of fuss.
“Sign here, here, and here,” Cy’s lovely wife, Joanne, murmured to Summer. “This gives us a paper trail leading nowhere.”
In short order, she’d signed over the title for her car to a nameless, faceless buyer from out of state. The money from the sale would help her relocate. Cy arranged for a dependable vehicle, an alias, and a place to live in Sherman Oaks where she could disappear into the ten million people living in Los Angeles County.
“Summer Leigh,” she groaned with a snort. “I didn’t even know I had a middle name.”
Cy laughed. “Reed was quite forthcoming. Said it wasn’t officially recorded when you were born because Mom and Dad couldn’t agree on the spelling. Leigh was your paternal great-grandmother’s name.”
“I like it,” she murmured and gestured at the driver’s license. “Should I ask how you procured all these identification documents, or am I better off not knowing?”
Joanne Westmoreland let out a heavy sigh and squeezed her husband’s shoulder. “Sadly, there’s a real need for an underground network of helpful folks who look out for women and children in difficult circumstances.”
Summer grimaced. She took no pleasure in counting herself with women running from abuse or unscrupulous individuals looking to cause harm.
“Our dear friends, Bud and Lynda Gerry, have offered you their guest house. It’s private and behind a fence. You’ll like them. They’re good people. There’s a clinic nearby for your prenatal and birthing care. Insurance is something you can’t fake, so you’re signed in as a patient with a prepaid plan. Cy is right. If you keep your head down and act normal, you’ll blend right in.”
“It all sounds so reasonable.” She threw her hands up, and the tears started again. “I can’t believe this. Why is this happening?”
Her world was falling apart, and she didn’t know how much more she could take. Only devotion to her baby and a fierce determination to remain positive or lose her sanity kept Summer going.
“No crying,” the Vietnam War veteran from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment barked. He handed her a tissue. “There’s no crying. Understand, girl?”
She blew her nose and saluted. “Yes, sir.”
He nodded and made a fist that he clenched in front of her face. “This is your moment, Summer. Be a goddamn she-wolf, and don’t take anybody’s shit. You are not powerless. An alpha female leads. She’s industrious, hardworking, and fiercely tenacious. There’s nothing wrong with knowing your purpose, little mama. That baby needs you.”
Her spine stiffened. Yes, he was right. She wasn’t a victim. She wasn’t anyone else’s punching bag. In her mind, she drew a line in the sand.
“What do I need to do?”
“We have to move swiftly. Delay is deadly. Things are going to move fast now that the plan is in place. You go home and pack up your shit. Take only what you personally need. We’ll handle everything else after you’re gone. If they’re watching, giving up the apartment is a red flag, so we’re going to have someone pose as your cousin Stacey to stay there to water your plants while you take a long-planned cruise to the Mexican Riviera with some girlfriends. The neighbors won’t blink, and a cruise ship is impossible to surveil. Win-win.”
“That’s quite a cover story.”
“Yeah, but what the hell do they know?” Cy grunted. He looked at his wife. “Give us a minute, would you, darlin’?”
“I’ll make tea,” Mrs. Westmoreland offered with her usual cheery smile.
When Summer was alone with the gruff Vietnam War veteran, he lost no time speaking his mind.
“I want the lad’s name and whatever else you have on him.”
“No.”
“Reed said you’d be a real pain in the ass about this, so I’m just going to give it to you straight.”
“Okay.” What choice did she have but to listen?
“Unlike your brother, I met this man. Shook his hand and looked him in the eye. I have no idea why he fell off the face of the earth.”
She felt those damn tears prickling her nose again.
“But I’m not gonna judge him because Summer, darlin’, I’m sure there’s more to this than what you get at first glance. Now give