“What branch of the Army did you serve in, Mr. O’Shea?” the judge asked, her stare sweeping over the file of information in front of her.
I stood up and cleared my throat. “I was an engineer, Your Honor, specializing in weaponry.”
Her eyes lifted to meet mine. “I see you were in the military since you were eighteen; you built a career. Why did you leave?”
“Can I be honest, Your Honor?” I asked.
Her lips quirked, and she nodded.
“There were two reasons I left. The first one was that everything got too loud. I loved my job, but I was ready for alone time. Everywhere I went and everything I did involved being around other people. It got noisy, and I needed it to be quiet for a while.”
“I can understand that,” she stated, folding her arms on her desk and leaning forward. “What was the other reason?”
“Three years ago, I came home on leave and met a girl.” I paused. “Well, I say Imeta girl, but actually, I’d known her for years. She was my friend, but I started to see her in a different light. From that day on, I was restless to get back home.”
The judge dipped her chin and asked, “Are you with that girl now?”
“She’s the beautiful brunette sitting behind me in the black shirt,” I confirmed. “I wouldn’t say I’m with her exactly, ‘cause it’s taken us some time to work our way back to each other, and she says I gotta work for it, but I’ll get there. She can’t resist me, and if I get Imogen, she won’t be able to resisthereither. Have you seen my little girl, Judge? She’s incredible.” I grinned. “She’s got my eyes.”
Soft laughter went up from behind me.
The judge’s stare never wavered from mine, but for the first time since she’d sat down, she smiled.
I took that as a good sign.
“You’ll be living with your mother for now?” the judge inquired.
I jerked a nod. “I intend to look for my own house, but I’d rather have my mam around initially, at least until I get more used to being a father. Can’t say I’m gonna get everything right, but I stand a better chance with my ma there.”
“That’s a good idea,” she murmured, her eyes dropping back down to the file. “Children don’t break easily, Mr. O’Shea, but they can get hurt, as I’m sure you’re already aware, knowing what you know about Imogen’s family background.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I said huskily, burning fire hitting my throat yet a-fucking-gain.
The judge’s eyes drifted past me, and she called out, “Miss Woods, is it? The same R. Woods who put these easy-to-read and self-explanatory accounts together and who has made my job much easier today.”
I craned my neck to see Rosie standing slowly. “Yes, Your Honor. I’m Rosie Woods, and I’m Donovan’s bookkeeper.”
“Are you a mother?” the judge asked.
Rosie beamed. “Yes. I have two teenagers. A boy and a girl.”
The judge studied Posy for a good minute before asking, “Do you think Mr. O’Shea will make a good father?”
“Yes. I believe Donovan will make agreatfather,” Rosie breathed earnestly.
“What do you think he’ll bring to Imogen’s life?” the judge asked.
“Everything,” Rosie murmured. “He’ll bring her family, friends, laughter, and so much fun and love, but more than anything, he’ll bring her the light.”
My heart clenched, and fuck me if tears didn’t spring to my eyes.
I sucked a breath in through my nose and filled my chest with its cooling air before slowly pushing it out through my mouth.
Rosie was fucking killing me here. I loved how she saw me, even if she was wrong. Rosie Woods was the love that camewithout warning. I may have been her light, but she was the fire that kept me burning. All this business with Imogen was just proof of what I already knew in my heart.
Rosie was meant for me.
I just hoped that when she took off her rose-colored glasses, she still saw enough good in me to stay.
