“Strike the comment,” the judge orders the stenographer.
Glenda continues unfazed. “Tell us more about Ellie’s mother. How long were you two together?”
Another one Noah knew was coming. “Our relationship was casual.”
“In other words, a one-and-done kind of thing?”
“Objection,” Noah says. And he doesn’t need to say more.
“Strike it. Counsel, get to your point,” the judge orders.
“I’ll move on. Last question.” She steps toward me. “Mr. Hartly ceased the custody transfer to you after his wife’s death, claiming you’re unfit to raise a little girl by yourself. What day was that?”
“It was a Sunday. October fourteenth.”
“And what day did you—out of nowhere—announce your engagement to Willow Brooks?”
I inhale through my nose.
She moves to her desk and picks up a photocopy of the Blue River Ranch newsletter. “I’ll refresh your memory. It was Wednesday, October seventeenth.Threedays later.”
I look at Noah but he doesn’t seem concerned.
The silence seems to irritate her. “Do you really expect this court—and your town—to believe this is anything but a performance?”
“Objection,” Noah shouts. “We’ve already given the court proof of the legal marriage.”
Glenda stretches her arms wide. “I’ll rephrase .?.?. anything but a marriage of convenience.”
“I don’t expect anything,” I answer. “I married the woman I love. End of story.”
Glenda smirks like my response means nothing to her. “No further questions.”
Noah stands, approaching me. “Mr. Thorne. In my experience, when a marriage was, say .?.?. temporary, for whatever reason, I’d highly recommendand insistona prenuptial agreement. Did Ms. Brooks sign one?”
“We do not have a prenuptial agreement in place.”
Noah grins. “Thank you.”
There’s a short recess where I call Wilder to check on Ellie, then return to the courtroom, taking my seat next to Noah.
Despite the tightness in his jaw, I toss him a smirk as I lean in. “Bet you’re happy that I destroyed the damn thing.”
“She doesn’t want your money,” he mutters back.
“Then why are you being a jackass?”
His head snaps to me. “She’sleavingyou, Dallas. My job as your attorney is to protect your assets. My job as your friend—is to protect your heart.”
My brows shoot up at his sincerity. “Well, I appreciate that.” Willow takes a seat behind me and winks. I flick my gaze back to Noah and lean in, my voice low but firm. “But you’re wrong.”
The doors shut and Judge Walker is re-announced. We stand briefly.
Cole is called to the stand and Glenda goes through her questioning. Poor guy looks nervous even as his own attorney questions him. To my surprise he downplays the state of mind I was in when he came to me. And my abrupt dismissal of him. But he doesn’t hesitate to throw accusations that Willow and I are a sham and he knew it from day one.
She grips my shoulder from behind, squeezing gently.
I catch Noah’s arm when he stands to question Cole. “Take it easy on him,” I warn.
