If he wasn’t the best damn lawyer in the state, I’d fire him just for that.
I slip my hand out of hers, leaving her with Dad and Silas by the benches in the hall. They both made it a point to be here today for support. Wilder and Rose are at the house with Ellie.
We kept her home from school today. Ginger’s there too. This dumb hearing’s putting everyone at the ranch on edge.
I hate this. It feels like some kind of cruel joke, to give a man a child and then threaten to take her away again three months later.
I shake my head, jaw tight as I follow Noah further down the hall. “I don’t need another rundown of how this is gonna go. Heard you the first time.”
“You know it’d do you some good to take this more seriously,” he tells me, stopping near a water cooler, a healthy distance away from the people I arrived with.
I look over at Cole, sitting by himself on the wooden bench, fighting the urge to check on him, see how he’s been holding up.
“Noah, the man’s hurting. Last thing I want to do is go into battle with him.”
“Glenda’s the one going into battle.” He looks to the side, jaw tightening. “Look, there’s something I came across I think you should know about.”
I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. “Came across?”
He barely flinches at my glare, then glances back at Willow. “I know you think this is the real thing with her.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just hear me out.” He slips his hands in his pockets. “Dallas, I don’t think she intends to stay.”
My lips press into a thin line and I glance away. “Son of a bitch, you looked into her.”
“You ripped up the prenup,” he hisses. “I needed something to make sure your assets are protected.”
My jaw clenches. “I told you she was off the table.”
“Look, we’re running out of time. This is important.”
“If it was important, she’d have told me.” I walk away from him just as Glenda walks in. Her eyes sweep over me briefly, then she greets Cole and sits beside him, leaning in, voice low and measured.
I move to stand next to my family.
“Everything all right?” Willow asks.
I meet her eyes for a moment. They’re etched with concern and tenderness.
It’s a few seconds before I respond, pulling her to my side and kissing her temple. “It will be. Soon as this is over.”
“That woman looks wretched,” she murmurs, resting her head on my chest.
Silas nods, sizing up the tall middle-aged blonde. “Agree. And don’t take this the wrong way, but how is he affording her?”
Dad glares at them. “Either that woman offered free services to add a win to her books against the Thornes. Or he’s got no idea what her billable hours look like.”
I eye Cole’s well-pressed but worn suit, his scuffed boots, his sad eyes. “I can’t worry about that right now.” My eyes flick to the guard motioning to us. “Looks like they’re ready for us.” I nod toward Noah who gives me the signal before heading toward the open double doors.
Willow squeezes my hand. “I’ll be right behind you.”
We’re ushered in and take our seats before the judge enters.
“Thought you said this was a hearing. Why’s it so formal?”
“It’s just a courtroom,” Noah says in a bored tone. “Not like there’s a jury or anything. Odds are nothing will be decided today. They’ll have you, Cole, and—” He glances behind him as a few familiar faces enter. “Maybe a few character witnesses.”
