Chapter 8
Chapter eight
Dakota
“So Norman is going to tell us what we need to do?” I ask, wringing my hands as I step a boot onto the curb.
“Yes. I trust Norman. He knows the law forwards and backwards. He won’t steer us wrong.”
I nod, breathing out a sharp breath. Norman was never downright ugly to me, but he had friends. Judges and law men in this town that hated seeing the name Sterling on their radar.
“Relax.” Cooper’s hand brushes against my lower back. “It’s just a conversation, Birdie.”
He only calls me Birdie when he’s soothing me. He knows I’m getting anxious. The nickname is always like a balm to my soul, and I soak in the feel of his touch before he opens the door to the old building next to the hardware store.
“Good morning.” Mrs. Lane smiles and motions to the left. “Mr. Grisham is still in a meeting, but you can go into the third office on the right.” Her smile slightly waivers when she glances at me.
I smile back, trying not to take offense.
Cooper’s steps lead me down the hall, and as we turn into the third office on the right, my steps falter.
“Coop!”
My eyes narrow, the force so strong I have to reign in the urge to roll them at the enthusiastic voice. Kyra Grisham, the woman who’s done everything but strip naked in front of Cooper to snag his attention sits behind the desk.
“I hope you don’t mind meeting with me. Dad’s meeting ran long, and he gave me the cliff notes and told me to advise then bring him up to speed.”
“Morning, Kyra. No problem.” Cooper’s boots scuff along the floor, while she practically eye fucks him the entire short trip to the leather back chair.
It takes everything I have not to comment.
He’s not mine.
But he is. Kind of.
“You finally off on your own?” Cooper asks, dropping down in the chair.
“Passed the bar last month.” She blushes. “Big girl now.”
Oh, for fucks sake.
I sit in the chair next to Cooper, still completely invisible to the supposed lawyer that just giggled like we were in fourth grade.
“That’s great.” Cooper crosses a boot covered ankle over one knee. “Then you should be able to point Kota in the right direction.”
At the mention of my name, Kyra finally acknowledges my presence.
“Dakota.” She forms a tight smile. “Good to see you.”
“Congratulations, Kyra. Your dad must be proud.” I give a genuine smile, because despite what everyone thinks, I’m not my father.
“Thanks.” She glances back at Cooper, who’s gaze I can feel on the side of my face.
“So, I was informed you were needing some legal information on family law. Gaining custody of a child?” She asks.
“Yes. Just the general process and requirements,” he answers.
“I had no idea you had a child.” She swallows.
“Oh, I don’t.” Cooper barks out a laugh. “It's for Kota.”
Her eyes widen. “You have a child?”
“No.” I clench my fists. “I have a sister.”
“Okay.” She leans up, her hand reaching for a pen. “And where is the mother?”
“Dead,” I say, keeping my eyes on hers. “I’m the child’s only living family member. She’s twelve years old.”
Kyra blinks, her expression changing from surprise to pity. “I’m sorry to hear that. About your mother.”
“She left when I was eight, and when she was still around, she was never home anyway. No skin off my back.” My hands wring together, my pulse starting to thud.
My leg involuntarily bounces, the sign I’m about to spiral and my breathing increases.
The gentle touch of Cooper’s hand makes my leg still, and he locks eyes with me.
“Dakota doesn’t want her in the system. We know how that goes with overcrowding. I understand not everyone has ill intentions, but it’s something we don’t want to chance. Arizona should be with family.”
Kyra rolls her lips. “I see. Well, the first thing we would need is to provide the death certificate for her mother, then you would need to file a SAPCR with the court. Once that is filed, you will need to provide proof of a stable home environment. Physical, emotional, and financial stability as well.”
Kyra turns to me. “I know you train horses. But do you have a steady income? Are you still living in that trailer? With your last name…”
“Wait a minute.” Cooper’s sharp tone has Kyra jolting. “What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, I just mean, for a single woman, with her family history. It’s very unlikely a judge will…”
“A judge will what? Not grant custody because she had a shit father?”
“Cooper. It’s fine,” I hiss under my breath.
Honestly, I expected this. I knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
“No.” His jaw hardens. “So, you’re telling me that even if she was the absolute best person to care for Arizona, a judge would dismiss her because of her last name?”
“Cooper…” Kyra begins, but he shakes his head.
His body shifts, then a look passes over his face before he freezes. A slow grin spreads across his face before he tenderly reaches out and intertwines his fingers with mine.
“Well Kyra, fortunately for us, that won’t be an issue in this situation.”
I frown, not understanding his direction.
“I’m not following.” Kyra sits up straighter.
“Her name won't be Sterling.” Cooper smirks.
I jerk my gaze in his direction and I’m pretty sure my body levitates at his next words.
“Dakota and I are getting married. She’ll be a Mayson.” My jaw practically hits the floor when he turns to me and winks before adding. “Right, baby?”