My eyelids felt heavy as I stared at her mouth.
What a wake up. I couldn’t find my tongue.
Finally, I dragged my eyes to hers.
Hollie’s gaze darted toward Tag’s semi and she turned her face toward the darkness, suddenly aware we had an audience. She squeezed my hands. “Goodbye, Jesse.”
I pulled her closer, brushing my lips over hers one more time.
With that, she turned back the way she came, disappearing intothe dark beyond Tag’s trailer. The engines faded back into my awareness and I glanced up at Tag’s window to see it rolled all the way down and Tag’s elbow sticking out. He stared down at me from under the brim of his hat and raised his voice over the racket. “That was one hell of a goodbye.”
It was one I’d never forget.
FORTY-FOUR
Hollie
The day before Thanksgiving
My fingers felt cold as I twisted them together beneath the table and my nerves hummed with tension. At least, off the witness stand, I could finally breathe. Gabriella sat next to me with her chin held high, her onyx hair pulled into a luxurious braid over her right shoulder. She was everything I could ask for in an attorney—strong, stubborn, and in complete control as she supported me through this dizzying process.
Tempted to pick my cuticles, I tucked my hands under my thighs and stared straight ahead. The couple times my eyes wandered to the defense table, I almost broke.
We were so close to finishing this thing—I had to stay strong.
A few beats of silence settled over the courtroom before Judge Byrd leaned back in her seat. “Based on the evidence presented today, the father’s failure to appear, and the fact that hestillremains in contempt of Court, the Court is granting the mother sole legal custody and is approving her request to relocate to the state of Texas.”
My eyes fluttered closed, tears immediately flooding them. Sheer will kept me from crumbling onto the table as a blend of feelings crashed through my chest, swinging like a pendulum between heartbreak and elation. Joy and sorrow. This would change everything.
Everything.
I pressed my lips together to still the way they trembled.
The Judge continued, “All pending motions are granted. Thank you.”
The clerk crowed, “All rise.”
With trembling legs I stood, smoothing the front of my skirt. As the judge departed, my eyes flicked to the defense table—empty. Hurt and rage warred in my heart, dampening the joy of our victory. Up till now, I had hoped Garrett would see the light. That the summons to court would jolt some sense into him. But it didn’t. How would I tell my girls he didn’t even bother to show up? That he gave them upwillingly? As happy as I was to receive full custody, I was heartbroken that my two beautiful daughters would grow up without a father actively involved in their lives.
Gabriella turned to me, her eyes twinkling. “You’re free, Hollie. We did it.”
I turned to her, blinking back the moisture in my eyes. “I couldn’t have done all this without you.”
“Not just me. You’ve got a great support system.” Her expression turned more serious. “But, just to remind you, don’t pack up and leave yet. You have to wait for the written order. I’ll get on it right away, but it could take a few weeks to process.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” I waved her off. “We aren’t going anywhere right now. We’re pretty settled at my parents’ house.”
“What about your cowboy?” Gabriella smirked. If we weren’t forced to keep our relationship professional, I could see us being good friends. She was sassy, smart, andveryinvested in my love story.
I gave a slight laugh, finally feeling bits of relief trickle through my veins. “We aren’t in a hurry.” But even as I said those words, longing pierced my heart.
Goodness, I missed him.
A hand rested on my shoulder. “Holls.”
I turned to see Mom. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she fisted a tissue as she reached out to hug me. I buried my nose into her shoulder, finding comfort in the floral perfume she’d worn since I was a child.
Mom’s voice was hoarse with tears, “I know you feel torn. I can see it on your face.”
