Chapter 23 Eberly
EBERLY
Trevino insisted he and Snapper pick up the pieces of shattered pottery in the garden, but I ignored them. I wasn’t a princess who was afraid of a cut or getting my hands dirty.
No doubt, that’s how Tiernan saw me. As someone easy to trample over while he did whatever he wanted, including robbing our family blind.
I’d meant it when I said if it was my money he wanted, he could have it.
Or at least, that’s what I’d make him believe.
Once I knew my father was safe, Decker and the caballeros, as Trevino referred to them, could tear the man to shreds.
I meant that both literally and metaphorically.
When we saw him in Cambria, I would’ve clawed his eyes out if I knew then what I knew now. Remembering how naive I’d been in the months I dated him made me so angry that I hurled a piece of broken pot at the garden wall, then fell back on my haunches.
“Give us a minute,” Trevino said to his brother, who stood and went inside.
“Before you say anything, I feel like an idiot, okay? I don’t care about your rule about me disparaging myself. If I’d paid the slightest bit of attention to my own fucking life, I could have prevented all of this.”
“Come with me,” he said, holding out his hand.
“If you think for one second that you’re going to punish me—” I stopped talking when he bent down, picked me up, and carried me through the garden’s door. Once we were several yards beyond it, he set me on my feet, then led me over to a sloping hillside that looked out over the vineyard.
“I have no intention of punishing you, nor will I speak to you as disrespectfully as you’re speaking to me,” he said after we’d both taken a seat on the grass.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “This is my life. I’ve made mistakes, but I don’t intend to repeat them. Tiernan tried to control me, and I let him. I won’t let you do the same thing.”
The look on his face made me wish I could rescind every word. “I didn’t mean that,” I muttered instead.
“You did mean it, Eberly. Maybe not in the way you think I took it, and that’s what I’ll address.
The difference between Burke and me is that I have no desire to control your life.
Not now and not in the future. When we talk about control as it relates to sex, I’ll limit what I say to this because I don’t want us to get sidetracked rather than focus on what’s most important in this conversation.
Within a scene, the ultimate control is yours. ”
I felt my cheeks flush, and as much as I wanted to rail back at him for his admonishment, he wasn’t the person I was most angry with. That would be me.
He took my hand and stroked it with his thumb. “I want you to say whatever is on your mind, Eberly, without fear of reprisals from me. I’ll ask that you be respectful, but beyond that, the best way I can support you right now is to be your person.”
“My person. I don’t think I’ve ever had one of those.”
“I bet your mom was. Maybe your dad too, although that may be harder to remember, given current circumstances.”
“I’m sorry, Trevino.”
“For?”
“Not speaking to you with respect.”
“You’re forgiven. Now, let’s talk about what you said earlier. About contacting Burke.”
I looked out at the vineyards. “I want to know my dad is okay. All of this”—I waved my hands—“is stuff. Possessions.”
“It’s your home.”
I looked over at the place where I grew up. “It isn’t my house. I have a room in it. Would you live in your mother’s house again?”
“Doubtful.”
“I don’t know why I even care except that it’s been in my family for so long. Maybe one of my uncles or my cousins would’ve wanted it. Not that it’s an option any longer.”
“It may still be. We haven’t seen what the bank found. It could prove inconclusive.”
Trevino’s cell rang, and he dug it out of his pocket. “It’s Zin.”
“Go ahead.”
“Right, we’ll be there as soon as we can,” I heard Trevino say before ending the call. “The judge granted the hearing. Zin wants us to meet him at the courthouse.”
I had no idea what to expect. I’d already seen the page with my signature and knew it wasn’t mine.
What purpose did it serve to see the notary’s stamp?
I could look whoever it was in the face and tell her I’d never seen him or her before, but it would be their word against mine.
“I don’t know why I need to be there. Or you, for that matter. ”
“I can’t answer that, but Zin can.”
I shook my head. “Let’s go.”
Trevino was quiet on the drive into downtown Paso Robles, more like he used to be when I first started working for him. Before the auction. Before my life fell apart.
My uncle was waiting for us when we walked into the courthouse. “Zin should be here shortly. He’s speaking with the bank’s counsel now.”
“What’s going to happen today?” I asked.
“They’ll present evidence in order to prove the loan documents are valid. Zin may put you on the stand to testify your signature was forged and that you were unaware the loan existed.”
“My word against theirs,” I muttered.
“Under oath,” my uncle reminded me.
“Let’s get this over with,” said Zin, walking up from behind us. “I think they’re bluffing.”
Within minutes of following him in and taking a seat, the judge arrived and the hearing began. I half listened until I heard the other lawyer say they were calling their first witness.
I gasped when I saw the woman I hadn’t noticed until now approach the witness box.
“What is she doing here?” I leaned into Trevino and whispered.
“Who?” he asked.
“State your name for the court,” said the clerk.
“Nancy Burke.”
“What the hell?” Trevino whispered.
“Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” the clerk asked.
“I do.”
When the clerk told her she could be seated, Nancy looked directly at me, then at the lawyer who approached.
My eyes were laser-focused on the woman on the stand as I half listened to the attorney verify she had witnessed the signing of the document that he’d presented as evidence. Before she could respond, Zin objected.
“On what grounds?” the judge asked.
“I wasn’t given a copy of whatever evidence is being presented now, nor was I informed of this witness.”
“I’ll allow it for now, counselor,” the judge responded before turning to the other attorney. “Do you have an additional copy?”
“Yes, your honor,” he said, walking it over to Zin.
When he reiterated his objection to the witness, the judge overruled him.
“Did you witness the signing of the loan document?” the other lawyer asked.
“I did.”
“Are the individuals whose signatures you witnessed in the courtroom today?”
“One is,” she responded.
“Can you point to that individual?”
Nancy raised her head and finger. “Her.”
“For the record, who is that?”
“Eberly Warwick.”
“She’s lying!” I shouted, jumping to my feet. “She’s lying!” I repeated. “I wasn’t there.”
My uncle, who was seated at the table with Zin, turned to me when the judge banged his gavel and called for order.
“Eberly, take your seat. We’ll handle this.”
“Judge, I have to object again.” Zin’s tone was harsh.
“Approach the bench.” He turned to the other lawyer. “You too.”
My entire body shook as Nancy was dismissed from the witness box after being told she was excused.
I stared at her as she reentered the gallery, but instead of taking a seat, she walked out of the courtroom.
Not once did she look at me. I was about to stand to follow her when Trevino put his hand on my arm. “I’ll go.”
“Let him,” said my uncle.
A few seconds later, I heard the judge adjourn the hearing for fifteen minutes. “In my chambers, now,” he barked at Zin and the other lawyer as he left the bench.
“What’s happening?” I asked my uncle when he turned to face me.
“My guess is that my son is asking the witness’ testimony be tossed since he wasn’t given prior knowledge of her appearance.”
“Mr. Oliver? Ms. Warwick?” a man in a uniform said when he entered the courtroom.
“I’m Mr. Oliver,” my uncle responded.
“The judge wants the two of you to join them in the chambers.”
“Who is that?” I asked when Uncle Michael motioned for me to follow him.
“The bailiff.”
“He isn’t the same one who was in here earlier,” I whispered as he led us through a door. By the time my uncle realized I was right, it was too late.