The concern on his handsome face made Barbara uneasy. Until then, she had felt they were flying on the same wavelength. Now she was not so sure.
"His grandparents..."
"His grandmother, mainly. She's a very strong woman. Nice in many ways, but intractable in others."
"Stubborn."
Barbara laughed. "Like an army mule!"
He liked that. She had become wound tight as a Swiss watch, but could still find some humor in discussing the problems she faced.
"I'm no psychologist," he said, "and have no experience whatsoever in child custody battles. But I've read about them.
What I've come to believe is, they can be harmful, to the child."
Barbara suddenly found herself on the defensive, and didn't even know why. "But Tim just told me, before I came to see you, he wants me to adopt him."
Stephen sat a little forward in his chair. "I'm sure he does. But sometimes... and again, this is just what I've learned from reading... Who the child wants to be with may not always be best for him. It might be better if no contest is made over his guardianship and he doesn't become a pawn in a custody battle."
Barbara pushed herself up out of her chair. "Oh, no!" she declared. "So I should give him up, and without a fight? I will not give in, ever, and certainly not so easily. I will adopt Timmy, and it will be good for him!"
Stephen stood up too, but did not say what he wished he were not thinking: Good for him or good for you? "I'm sorry," Barbara said, almost shaking.
She was uncertain now about Stephen Collier. She thought she had had his support. Now she felt she had been misled; even betrayed.
But she sat down again and took a deep breath. He might not become her friend, but she did not want him to be her enemy. "Forgive me for sounding like Joan of Arc."
This young woman is kind of wonderful, Stephen Collier thought. She's maybe the bravest woman I've ever known. "Forgive me?" he asked. "What do I know about these things? I'm not even a parent. I shouldn't intrude in such a personal matter."
Barbara had not seen any framed photographs on his desk or walls, to give her a clue whether he was married or had a family. She was too distraught to pick up on learning he was not a father, or to wonder just then if he was a husband. He kept one hand over the other, so she could see if he wore a wedding band.