The Baby Barter. Patty Smith Hall

only lawyer in Marietta willing to take his case? “Go on.”

      “If you’re so bound and determined to raise this baby, you need to consider finding a wife. It would solve the immediate problem with the judge.”

      “And who would I marry, Red?”

      “You’ve got to know a woman who’d love the chance to help you raise Sarah. Someone who would love that baby as much as you do.”

      The image of Thea, her deep blue eyes staring up at him, drifted through his thoughts. No doubt Thea was in love with the idea of raising the baby right now, but what would happen when she learned Sarah wasn’t Eileen’s daughter? Would she up and leave town without a backward glance the way she’d done before? Mack couldn’t risk his daughter losing her heart to the woman. Or maybe it was his own heart he was worried about getting stomped on again.

      “It’s just not possible, Red.”

      “Well, think about it,” Red answered before he grabbed the folder and stood. “Because getting married might be your only hope of getting Judge Wakefield to budge on Sarah’s adoption.”