Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
The court reporter adjusted the height and angle of her stenotype machine, and the security officer read something on his phone.
Jude hoped he never had to stand in that courtroom again.
Behind him, the noise level grew higher, and he turned around, surprised to see every seat filled with familiar faces. “What’s going on?” he mouthed to his dad.
“Support,” his dad mouthed back with a shrug.
“You got this.” Ava gave him a thumbs-up.
Finlay wasn’t there yet, and that had his anxiety spiking. He needed her. Not just so the judge could see they were still in each other’s lives, but for his own peace of mind. She quieted him. With her, he knew he could get through anything.
His attorney tapped his wrist, making him swing back around to find the judge entering.
“All rise,” the bailiff said. “The Ninth Judicial District Court, Teton County, Wyoming, is now in session, the Honorable Judge Adams presiding.”
Fabric swished, and a table leg shrieked on the wood floor as everyone got to their feet.
The judge sat down, put on his reading glasses, and glanced at his notes.
“Please be seated.” He looked right at Jude.
“We’re here today at the request of Family Services in the matter of the guardianship of Cody Rossi, specifically regarding allegations concerning the fitness of the current guardian, Jude McKenna. ”
In the quiet courtroom, he heard a whispered, “Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.” He turned to find Finlay taking a seat in the row behind him. Relief whipped through him.
“Mr. McKenna, we’re only halfway through your temporary guardianship.”
The judge’s disgusted tone snapped his attention back to the bench. “Yes, sir.”
“And here we are, discussing fraud and misrepresentation. I’m not sure you understand how seriously the court takes deception in custody matters.”
“I do, sir. Absolutely.”
The judge nodded. “When you last appeared before me, I had reservations. Your history in this town gave me pause. The only reason I granted that petition was because Ms. O’Neill assured this court you were engaged and that the child would be in her care, as well.”
“She has been. We’ve been living at her home.”
“Family Services informs me the home has recently been sold.”
They didn’t need to live on Bloom Lane to be guardians. “That’s correct.”
“They also tell me you’re not engaged to Ms. O’Neill. Is that true?”
“We are not currently engaged.”
“If that’s the case, it suggests you’re the same person who thought rules didn’t apply to him twelve years ago.
Mr. McKenna, you have committed fraud against this court, and I relied upon false information to make this ruling.
It is within my power to revoke temporary guardianship, but as Mr. Rossi is currently unable to leave Idaho, that would mean his grandson would be placed in the care of a foster family. How do you feel about that?”
“I hate it. I think it’s the worst possible outcome for him. His mom abandoned him at birth, his dad died, and his grandfather’s in no position to raise a little boy.”
“Which is why we’re having a hearing instead of removing the child. I’m willing to hear your side, but I ask you, how can I entrust the care of him to you when you lied to the court?”
“If I were the kid you remember, I wouldn’t want you to grant me custody.
But I’m not that kid. I’m a man, a Marine, a son, a brother, and a caregiver to an orphaned boy.
I didn’t lie under oath. I went along with it because you clearly weren’t going to grant me temporary custody, and you ended the hearing before asking for confirmation.
But I love that boy, and I treat him like my son because that’s what he is to me.
You won’t find anyone better to raise him than me. ”
“Twelve years ago, you didn’t steal a car, but you were the getaway driver.
Three weeks ago, you didn’t lie, but you went along with a deception.
How are you going to be a strong role model and parent for this child if you can’t help yourself from being an accomplice in your friends’ criminal activity? ”
That was enough. He’d been polite. He’d been deferential.
But Judge Adams had just crossed a line.
“You’re talking about two different situations.
At eighteen, I made a bad choice out of misplaced loyalty.
My time in the military and away from home taught me that lesson.
Three weeks ago, the only woman I’ve ever loved stood up in court and said we’re engaged.
Frankly, I was floored. Dumbfounded. And thrilled.
And in the three weeks since she made that statement, we’ve fallen deeply in love.
She’s the sun, and I’m her moon. She’s the air I breathe.
She’s the best person I know, and the only woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.
I didn’t lie to you then, and I’m not lying now when I tell you I would marry her right this minute in this courtroom, with my friends and family as witnesses.
” He whipped around to look at her, worried he’d freaked her out, but her features were soft, and tears glistened in her eyes.
She rose. “Judge Adams, may I speak?”
The judge nodded.
“I lied about being engaged, but I didn’t lie when I said I’ve loved this man half my life.
” She shifted her focus to Jude. “I’ve been a butthead.
I thought there was something wrong with my judgment because I was willing to marry a man like Matt, but I was so wrong.
I have great judgment. World-class judgment.
I could be a Supreme Court judge for how good my judgment is.
Because I choose you, Jude McKenna, to spend the rest of my life with.
I love you, and I probably should’ve said that in private, but I’m not stuffing myself into little boxes anymore.
I’m living my life out loud.” Lifting both arms, she shouted, “I love you!” Her ebullient laughter filled the courtroom. “I love you, Jude McKenna.”
“Woo-hoo,” Ava shouted.
“Live your truth,” someone else called.
“That’s my girl,” her dad said in his booming voice.
“Here we go again.” Judge Adams slammed the gavel. “That’s enough. This hearing is over.”
Just as Jude reached for Finlay across the partition, the judge called out, “Mr. McKenna, when you’re ready to make this guardianship permanent through adoption proceedings, my clerk can provide you with the necessary paperwork.
Based on what I’ve seen today, I don’t anticipate any objections from this court. ”
“You sound really happy, Fee.”
“I am. I’ve never been happier.” Most of her time with Matt was spent planning a wedding.
That meant searching for a gown, tasting cakes, visiting venues, and choosing invitations—all that stuff.
It was busy and lots of fun. But this new life with Jude—even though in some ways it was more chaotic with adoption and figuring out where to live—had brought her a level of peace she’d never once had. Because it was real. It was authentic.
And she had true love.
“So he filed the adoption papers?” Willa asked.
“Yep. On our way out of the courtroom. And since he already has temporary custody and the consent of Cody’s guardian, they told us they can streamline the process.”
“Thank God. Get this behind you and get that boy settled in as a McKenna.”
“Yes, exactly. And we’re house hunting. As much as we love living at Gunnar’s, we want to get our own place, be our own little family unit.”
“I love it. Do you have any showings lined up?’
“I’ve been to a few, but there’s always something weird or wrong with the layout, you know? Actually, I’ve been looking at those floor plans Jude gave me on New Year’s Eve. I think we’re going to build.”
“That’ll take a long time. What about the home visits from Family Services? Are you worried they won’t see stability?”
“No, we’ve got that at Gunnar’s. They just need to see he’s in a safe place with a loving family.” And with three uncles, three grandpas—if you include Carlo, Gunnar, and her dad—two grandmas—with Ava and her mom—and two parents who really love each other, Cody’s rich with love.
“Hey, I have good news. I handed those soap samples out to the lawyers in my firm, and the response was fantastic. Throw up a website, and we’ll be selling them like hotcakes.”
“That’s awesome. Thank you, but I’m not quite ready for that.
” Before launching an online store, she wanted to get some local traction.
She’d test the market in Calamity first, see what worked and what didn’t.
“I appreciate your support, though. So how’re things going with Blaze?
Did you have a great time with him in the Bahamas? ”
Willa laughed. “His name’s Camden.”
“Oh, right. Sorry.” She was only teasing. She knew the guy’s name. It was just that he looked like the cover model for a Harlequin Romance novel.
“I got a ‘Hey, girlie’ message on Splashagram from his long-distance girlfriend in Indiana, so I kicked him to the curb.”
“What a jerk.” Boots on the stairs had her looking up just as Jude came into the walk-out basement that Gunnar had turned into her “studio.” She liked that. No, she wasn’t an artist, but his family made her work seem important.
“Hey. Do you have a second?” Jude seemed nervous.
“Yeah, of course,” she whispered. “Hey, Wills, I have to go. Talk later?”
“Yep. Be good.”
“Always.” She disconnected.
He picked up a bar of soap shaped like a pinecone and sniffed it. “That’s nice. I’d use it.”
“Oh, yay. I’m happy to hear that. Would you mind trying it out for a few days? I’ve changed the formula and want to make sure it’s moisturizing but not greasy.” She reached for the boxes that had just come in. “Look. I bought these from a company in Iceland.”
“What are they?” He examined the adorable molds. “Puffins?”
She nodded.
“Cute.” He seemed preoccupied.