Adam lifted a shoulder.
“I do,” said a beautiful, melodious voice from the back of the room. “Permission to approach the bench?”
Adam thought he’d heard Bella. But then, he’d wanted to hear her voice so badly over the last few days that he could have made it up. He didn’t dare turn around to look.
“And you are?” asked Judge Stavish.
“I’m Mr. Moreau’s clerk,” came the confident reply.
Charles snorted in disgust.
Adam flipped in his seat and took in the beautiful sight of Bella, her hair in a bun at the base of her neck, and wearing pink scrubs, standing there holding nothing more than a cell phone but with her jaw set and ready for battle.
She walked forward, her posture perfect, her chin level. Man, she was so beautiful, it was breaking his heart all over again! But wait, did she say she had evidence—for him?
Charles jumped from his seat and intercepted her. “Bella! It’s so good to see you.”
She glared. “Get out of my way, Charles. I’m here for Adam.”
Adam’s heart leapt and his body followed the example, bringing him right next to Bella. “For me?”
She turned to him, her whole being softening. “I hope I’m not too late.” Her words seemed to carry a double meaning: not too late for the court, and not too late for them.
He didn’t want his words to have double meanings—he wanted them to be loud and clear. “Never. I’d wait an entire lifetime for you.” He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to her warm skin.
A smile blossomed on her lips and reached all the way to her eyes. “I’ve missed you.” She laid a hand over his scarred cheek.
Adam leaned into it, drinking in her nearness. He’d ached for this very thing, and now, to drink from the well of love in her eyes made his life full of meaning. “I’m afraid I’m about to lose everything.” He put his hand over hers on his cheek. “But as long as we’re together, it’ll be okay.”
She laughed lightly. “I’d gladly teach you how to wash your own dishes, but don’t get in line at the soup kitchen just yet, handsome.”
Adam kissed her palm as she pulled her hand away and turned towards the stand.
Charles stammered. “Bella, you can’t possibly think—”
“That’s your problem, Charles. You didn’t think I had a brain.” She pushed past him and stood before the judge.
Charles stared after her, his mouth hanging open.
“The defense would like to call your attention to section 27, subsection M.” Bella looked over her shoulder and winked at Adam while the judge flipped pages.
Adam grinned back. He didn’t care that he looked like a lovesick schoolboy—hewasa lovesick schoolboy. This woman, this fantastic, amazing, strong woman, had come for him. Forhim. He felt like he was flying.
Judge Stavish finished reading and set the paper down. “Yes?”
Bella smiled. “As you can see, Adam is also charged with keeping the building in good repair. I’d like to ask Mr. Philip Wilson when The Rose was last updated.” She tuned, her hands clasped behind her back, and stared at Philip for an answer.
Philip adjusted his tie. “It was in 1997.”
“1997!” Bella lifted a finger high above her head. “Over twenty years ago.” She waited a heartbeat for that to sink in. “Now, a complete remodel of the building would necessitate the removal of all the tenants, would it not?”
“Objection, Your Honor.” Charles was on his feet, leaning over the desk. “I fail to see how this is relevant to the will.”
More like he could see exactly what was coming and wanted to derail the train.
“If Your Honor will indulge me for a moment, a man’s fortune is on the line,” argued Bella.
“I’ll allow it.”
