Christmas Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

He jokingly held out his hand.

      She accepted it and shook.

      The contact made him instantly recall what it was like to hold her close. He wished he could pull her in for a hug. He longed to kiss her. He longed to stroke her hair and feel the length of her body pressed up against his.

      “Destiny will be here in an hour,” she said, retrieving her hand once again.

      Cole accepted her withdrawal, shaking off his wayward feelings. “Destiny’s been looking up precedents for blood relatives being given preference in custody cases. Do you know if Roth spent any amount of time with Zachary?”

      “Not that I heard about, but Coco didn’t tell me everything.”

      “I’ve been trying to predict his thinking,” said Cole. “With you, his best ammunition was that you were too inexperienced to run Coast Eagle. With me, he’ll go after my capability as Zachary’s guardian. I’m vulnerable there.”

      “Not if they ask Zachary.”

      Cole chuckled at that. “It is too bad that Zachary can’t talk.”

      “It’s too bad Zachary’s not a puppy.”

      “Excuse me?”

      “With a puppy, you put him down between the two people and both call him. Whoever the dog runs to wins.”

      Cole grinned. “I do like my chances with that.”

      “Sometimes the simplest solutions work best.”

      “Can we suggest it to the judge?”

      “Only if you want him to order a psychological evaluation.”