“Mrs. Prescott,” Mr. Graham begins gently, “how involved have you been in your granddaughter’s life?”
“Oh,” she says, exhaling. “Very. I keep her during the day, do pickups and drop-offs, handle the school forms…I’ve been there since the beginning.”
“And how would you describe your daughter as a parent?”
My mother’s eyes soften, brim slightly. “She’s everything you’d hope for. She rebuilt her little family when things fell apart. Shegave Evie routines and joy and books…so many books.” She smiles faintly. “Her love is the kind you don’t question. You just see it.”
Mr. Graham continues, “Is Ms. Prescott overly protective?”
“No,” my mother says firmly. “She learned to be careful when she had no partner to rely on. That’s not overprotective. That’s resilience.”
“And Mr. Wells? Do you approve of him living in the home?”
“I do,” she says without hesitation. “He treats Evie with gentleness and respect. And he gives my daughter something she hasn’t had in a long time—support and love.”
Her voice breaks on the last word, but she steadies it quickly.
“No further questions.”
Daniel’s lawyer asks questions, pressing financial issues and other cheap shots. My mom stays calm and answers the questions with ease before she’s told she can return to her seat. Her eyes shine as she passes.
My lawyer turns toward the bench.
“Your Honor, with permission, the plaintiff has one additional witness to call.”
I freeze because we had worked through our list. He smiles faintly.
“Mrs. Haddie Carmichael.”
The courtroom stirs.
And then Haddie stands—floral blazer, enormous hat, and all—and strides forward like she’s walking onto a parade float.
The judge sighs, already bracing.
Chapter fifty-six
Kate
Haddie Carmichael takes the stand like she’s been preparing for this moment her entire life.
She smooths her skirt, crosses her ankles, and grins at the judge with the confidence of a woman who has absolutely nothing to lose and five thousand Facebook followers to impress.
“Mrs. Carmichael,” my lawyer begins carefully, “you are the administrator of the Cedar Falls Happenings Facebook group, correct?”
“Indeed, I am,” she says, beaming. “Two thousand members right here in town and three thousand honorary ones from nearby counties. Everyone’s aunt follows us. And their exes. And their exes’ cousins. It’s a thriving community.”
A few chuckles ripple through the room.
“And you’ve brought…evidence?”
“Honey,” Haddie says, patting the manila envelope, “I brought the good stuff.”
When the projector warms up, photo after photo fills the screen.
Cam and I at Gordy’s laughing over beers. Cam laughing with Evie on the T-ball field. Me leaning into him outside Cedar Perk. Him fixing the porch light while I watched from the steps. Cam looking at me like I’m the only thing in the world at the book drive months ago. A photo of us kissing at The Driftwood, and a shot capturing our wedding. Kinsey must have taken it, given the vantage point. I’m looking at the Judge in the picture, but Cam is looking at me like I hung the moon.
Timestamped. Documented. Story after story in still images.
