“I don’t want to date you, Hayden.” Despite her words, Evie crossed the threshold and came to stand before him, sliding her arms around his neck. “I want to be your wife…” She smiled that warm smile of hers, the one that made his heart pound faster, accelerated by love. “I want to stay your wife. I spent the past few days wondering how to fix our marriage and drawing a blank because I didn’t think you loved me the way a husband should love his wife. But then you showed up here, saying all the right things and…I love you, Hayden. I love you so much for having the courage to show up like this. I know how hard it was for you.”
“I was hoping I still had a chance.” Hayden drew Evie close enough to smell her flowery scent.
“Me too.” Evie’s smile stretched.
“I can see where this is going,” Nellie said kindlier than she’d spoken before, reaching for her granddaughter’s hand. “Come on, Katie. Let’s give these two some privacy.”
“Why?” But Katie allowed herself to be led inside, followed by a scampering orange kitten.
Nellie closed the door behind them, but not before they heard her say, “And you’ll need to pack your suitcase.”
Katie squealed with glee.
“Now that Mom and Katie are on board.” Evie tightened her arms around his neck. “Where were we?”
“I was telling you how desperately I love you.” And then Hayden kissed her to prove it.
*
The following Monday, Eve appeared before Judge McKee in family court once more.
But this time, she wasn’t alone.
Hayden was with her. And with her loving husband by her side, Eve often felt as if she could do anything. Even keep Steven from taking Katie away from her. Hopefully.
Judge McKee didn’t appear to be in a good mood. He stared at Steven and said in a cold voice, “Mr. Atkinson, please explain why we’re here again today.”
Steven stood and delivered a heated version of Gran and Katie’s unsanctioned overnight trip peppered with legalese and finger pointing.
Eve tried to hold on to the belief that things would turn out okay. But Steven made it hard. She had years of history of him making it hard.
Hayden held Eve’s hand in both of his and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry.”
He’d been saying that the entire trip from Bentwood Creek to Missoula. They’d consulted the Bennett family attorney to prepare for this court session. Hayden was confident they were prepared for this fight.
How I want to believe there’s nothing to fear here.
“Anything else you want to add to the record, Mr. Atkinson?” the judge asked when Steven ran out of steam.
“No, Your Honor.” Steven sat down and adjusted the lay of his suit jacket.
“Mrs. Bennett?” The judge’s attention swung to Eve. He was an older gentleman with a full head of white hair and eyes that seemed to miss nothing.
She stood, heart pounding, smoothing the wrinkles in her soft green dress. “I admit that our daughter went out riding with my grandmother-in-law.”
Steven made a noise that was half-growl and half-groan.
“And that as a stroke victim, Irene’s faculties haven’t completely returned,” Eve continued, trying to remember the points she’d rehearsed with the Bennett lawyer. “But she’s regaining her faculties at a steady pace and—”
“Objection! Will she be sane and present tomorrow?” Steven demanded, red faced and shooting to his feet. “Your Honor, Eve can’t guarantee our daughter’s safety even when this old woman regains her faculties. Not on a ranch full of barely domesticated animals and heavy machinery. We’re lucky Katie is alive. That’s why we’re here. To keep her safe. I’m demanding primary custody on those grounds.”
Judge McKee pounded his gavel. “Take a seat, Mr. Atkinson.”
Eve sat immediately. And she hadn’t even been asked!
Steven sat down very slowly, more like a rebellious teen than a trial attorney respectful of a presiding judge.
This judge didn’t look pleased. “Mr. Atkinson, have you ever lived on a ranch?” His strong tone echoed in the chamber and had everyone sitting up straighter.