Chapter 31
31
Noel walked out of the judge’s office with the Fugate attorney at her side. She stole a quick glance at him and offered a polite, almost weary smile, her emotions tightly controlled.
“Are you alright, Ms. Lennox?” he asked, his voice low and calm, as though he’d spent years perfecting the art of speaking gently.
“Yes, Mr. Barton.” She managed to keep her tone steady, though the strain of the day tugged at the edges. “These cases… the outcomes never sit easy with me, but I understand their necessity.” She paused, searching for the right words. “Actually, I’ve never had a case quite like this. Usually, when I recommend supervised visits or limited parental rights, it’s because of clear-cut abuse or neglect. But with Penny and Tad… they’ve been cared for by their mom in the past. Not perfectly, maybe, but they were safe and their needs met. But Pamela’s recent actions put the children at risk.”
Mr. Barton nodded, a soft sigh escaping him. “Pamela would certainly never win any mother-of-the-year awards.” He hesitated, his tone softening as he added, “Please, call me Roy.”
“And I’m Noel,” she replied, feeling a bit of the tension ease as she offered her first genuine smile since leaving the judge’s chambers.
“Oh yes, I’ve heard your name quite a bit these past few days,” he said with a knowing smile, holding open a door as they passed through another corridor.
She knew he wasn’t just their attorney but also a good friend of the family. She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with Penny and Tad, though I wish the circumstances were different.”
A fond look crossed his face. “I’ve known those kids since they were born. I’ve been the family’s attorney for years, actually. My father was the Fugate lawyer before me, when Margaret and Thurston took over the ranch. Stan and I even went to college together,” he added, a faraway look settling in his eyes. “I remember Pamela from those early days.”
“Oh…” Noel didn’t know how to respond. The layers of history between him and the Fugate family ran deep.
He chuckled, the sound tinged with both humor and regret. “Pamela was… well, let’s just say she should have come with a warning label. But Stan was completely mesmerized by her. She knew how to play the part of the perfect girlfriend, but there was always more beneath the surface.”
Noel nodded as they made their way down another long, echoing hall in the courthouse. “The judge asked me to take on this case, which is how I ended up in Jamaica.” She let out a slow breath, her lips pressing together. “I never anticipated things to turn out this way… the security agent I was with used a term… FUBAR, I believe.”
Roy laughed as they walked outside and down the steps. “I’m familiar with that, and it seems apropos.”
Noel lifted her hand to say goodbye, but to her surprise, Roy hesitated. “Would you care for a cup of coffee?” he offered, gesturing across the street. “There’s a little bakery nearby. It’s small, but I’d like to at least offer coffee.”
She nearly declined, the urge to retreat into solitude strong. But she could feel the weight of the morning still lingering, and the thought of coffee—and maybe a sweet pastry—sounded like exactly what she needed. “That would be lovely,” she replied, her smile softening as she met his kind eyes.
They crossed the street at the corner light, their steps in sync as they made their way toward the cozy coffee shop. The scent of freshly baked bread and freshly ground coffee greeted them as they stepped inside, and Noel felt a small surge of comfort wash over her. The shop was mostly empty, and the lull between breakfast and lunch made it easy to find a quiet corner table where they could speak without interruption.
Roy stirred his coffee, glancing up with a thoughtful expression. “As relieved as I am that Penny and Tad were brought home so quickly,” he began, his voice soft, “I can’t shake the sorrow that Mike didn’t make it back with them.”
Noel felt a pang in her chest at his words. She hadn’t realized Roy knew him, but upon reflection, it would make sense if Roy was the attorney for the ranch. “I didn’t get to know him very well,” she admitted, her voice gentle. “But I could see how much he cared for Penny and Tad. When we finally found them, he was overwhelmed, just… so relieved to have them safe.”
“I know that filled his heart,” Roy said, nodding while sipping his coffee. “He was a little older than Stan and me, but as a longtime fixture at the ranch, he wanted to make sure the kids had a familiar face down there. Pamela had told Stan that if he showed up, she might not sign the papers.” He shook his head. “God, what a…”
“I know what you mean,” she murmured. “I didn’t spend much time with Pamela, but I wasn’t… impressed. She seemed genuinely upset about the kidnapping, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.”
Roy’s mouth curled into a wry smile, and he gave her an appraising look. “You’re very… professional in your choice of words, Noel.”
A small laugh escaped her, and she met his gaze, a hint of warmth between them. “Perhaps. But you knew her on a personal level. I think you’re the one holding back here, Roy.”
His eyes lingered on her, and a trace of amusement mingled with admiration. “Touché,” he replied, lifting his cup before taking another sip. Setting it down, he leaned in slightly. “Forgive me if I’m being too forward, but Margaret spoke to me after the kids were returned. She mentioned you were with Mike when he had his heart attack?”
Noel hesitated, the weight of what the kids had seen settling heavily on her. Her hand tightened around her coffee cup, and she let her gaze drop, gathering her thoughts. She took a slow sip, hoping to buy herself just a moment to find the right words. “Yes,” she finally replied, her voice quiet but steady. “I saw him from the upstairs balcony. He was on the phone, and just as he finished the call, he collapsed. I ran down, shouting for help as I went. Someone called emergency services, and Landon started chest compressions.”
Roy’s expression remained steady, but his eyes held a hint of sadness. “And you stayed with him through all that?”
“Yes,” she murmured, her voice soft as the memory washed over her. “He was still conscious. I held his hand and kept talking to him right until…” Her voice faltered briefly. “Until he lost consciousness as the paramedics arrived.”
Roy’s gaze didn’t waver, his hand steady on his coffee cup. “Did he say anything? Was he able to share his thoughts with you?”
Noel took a deep breath, pondering her words, not wanting to reveal too much while offering solace to Mike’s friend. “He just wanted some peace, I think. You could see it in his eyes. He seemed… worried… not really afraid, but concerned.”
Roy nodded, his hand reaching across the table to pat hers gently. “And you were able to give him that peace?”
“I hope so,” she said, a gentle, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips.
Roy’s face softened, and he squeezed her hand lightly before letting go. “He was a good man. I’m sure he was comforted by having a kind voice and a… pretty face by his side at the end.”
She felt warmth rise to her cheeks, but she smiled back, appreciating the kindness in his words. “Thank you. That whole trip felt like a nightmare. I was so relieved to return to Montana.”
Her phone buzzed, the vibration pulling her from the memory. She glanced at the screen—a meeting reminder. She’d spent longer here than she’d planned. “It was truly lovely meeting you, Roy. But I need to head back to the office.”
Roy rose, offering a firm handshake. “It would be nice if we only ran into each other at the Fugates’ holiday parties from now on. They certainly know how to put out an amazing spread. But I hope we don’t cross paths again over another case.”
“Agreed,” she said with a smile, slipping her hand from his as she stepped out into the sunshine. She hurried to her car, feeling a strange mix of emotions—a subtle relief from the case closing intertwined with the lingering heaviness of recent events.
As she settled into the driver’s seat and started the engine, Noel dialed Landon. He picked up quickly, and she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “Hey, Landon. I’m on my way back to the office. Gave my report to the judge, and I’m almost certain he’ll rule in Stan’s favor for full custody, with Pamela’s rights reduced or revoked.”
“I’m glad that part’s over for you. It’s been a hell of a week,” he replied, his voice warm and steady.
She sighed, tension melting just a bit. “You can say that again. I met Roy Barton, the Fugates’ attorney. We had coffee afterward. He’s known the family for years… even knew Mike.”
“Did he ask about Mike?”
A beat passed before she answered. “Yeah. The kids must’ve told their dad and grandparents that Mike spoke to me just before he… passed. I know we hadn’t planned on sharing that yet, but… now it’s out there.”
A sigh on the other end. “Damn. We’d hoped for more time to gather intel on who might have sent Mike down to Jamaica with orders to target Pamela.”
She gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “I know. Anyway, I’ll be home before you get back tonight. I’m heading to an afternoon meeting, so my phone will be on silent.”
Landon’s voice softened. “Can’t wait to see you, babe.”
She grinned, her heart feeling lighter. “Same here. Bye.” She disconnected, the warmth from his words lingering as she drove toward her office, a quiet smile staying with her the whole way.