Rage rushed through Elise at that moment. “You are the most vile woman I’ve ever met. Keeping in mind that your son brought crack whores to my home, let me assure you I’ve met plenty of vile women. Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”

“Or what?”

A toilet flushed, startling both of them. Bettina rushed out first, leaving Elise behind to catch her breath and try to keep her temper when all she wanted to do was slap the shit out of Bettina. As she left the bathroom, she noted the person coming out of the stall was the judge.

“Are you all right?” Brody asked, concern on his face as she returned to where they’d been waiting.

“Fine. Just had a run-in with Bettina in the bathroom.” All she could hope was that the judge didn’t think she was a cold-blooded killer. The argument in the bathroom had made her angry, yes, but it had also settled things inside her. She was right to be doing this; they didn’t care about Rennie at all. Once she got it all straight in her head, she might talk about it, but now, that shared moment of eye contact with the judge was something she held tight.

Half an hour later, they were called back in.

“I’ve given this a lot of attention because a child’s well-being is at stake. I never take the removal of custody or visitation lightly. A child surrounded by loving family is a child who has a leg up in life. Some serious allegations are being made against the mother by the paternal grandparents. I’ve looked over all the evidence and do not find myself compelled. In fact, this child, by all accounts, including the experts hired by the grandparents, is bright, well adjusted and happy. I do not find any significant change in circumstances that would warrant the removal of the child. As to the allegations the mother makes regarding contact with the paternal grandparents, while the child is well adjusted and happy, the only problems occur on and around the day of the month the grandparents make their visitation call. Given the reports in the file, I’m compelled to make the decision to halt any further contact of the child by the Sorensons. The child may decide on her own to seek out contact as she ages, but it’s clear to me after a read of the material here, and after witnessing the behavior of the grandparents today, that this child would only benefit from their absence. Further, I am issuing a no-contact order with this finding. The Sorensons are ordered to refrain from contacting Elise Sorenson or the minor, Irene Anne Sorenson, in any way. Violation of said order will result in civil and criminal penalties.” She banged the gavel and Elise stood, head held high, as the judge exited the courtroom.

The sound of dramatic weeping cut through the silence, but Elise felt nothing but release and joy as she walked out, surrounded by her family and friends.

Once they’d all driven back to her house, she took Brody’s hand. “I need to go to Rennie. Pick her up from school.” She needed to see her baby so much she had to force herself not to run down the street to the school. Brody smiled at her, a smile so beautiful she caught her breath. “Thank you. Thank you for being here for me and Rennie.” She hugged him and he hugged her back, holding her body to his as he breathed in slow and sure. It calmed her even as things began to quiver low and deep in her belly.

“Will you come to me later? I know you need to see Rennie now, but can we see each other later today? I want to talk.” He kissed her and she smiled.

“Am I in trouble?”

“The best kind.”

“I like the sound of that. My parents are taking her out for library time after school today. I’m trying to pretend nothing special is happening. Will you be at the shop? I can come by later if that works for you.”

“I’ll be waiting for you. Can I take you and Rennie to dinner tonight? Red Mill burgers and onion rings with milkshakes? We can take it to the park, eat it there.”

Dear god, he was something so special. She loved him so much and having this court stuff over and done brought it all into sharp focus. If her parents were standing right there, she’d have blurted it out just then.

Now she had to see her little girl and know everything was all right.

27

Brody watched her rush off, tears on her face, joy absolutely spilling from her. It made him smile, made the part she held inside him grow. For the first time in months, since he’d realized he loved her, he was free of the nagging fear that she’d lose Rennie and be devastated.

Whistling, he went into his house to change and then head over to the shop.

He grinned as he entered the shop. Everyone turned to him, expectant looks on their faces, and he realized he wasn’t the only one who loved Elise. “Everything is fine. Elise won the case and even kept her former in-laws from having any contact with Rennie. She’s over the moon. I’m pretty freaking jacked too.”

“Hi.”

It had been over a month since he’d seen Raven last. She’d headed out of town after the confrontation with Elise at Erin’s place. Admittedly, things had been smoother without her around, but Brody had worried. He didn’t have romantic feelings for her and she’d tried to hurt Elise, which made him pissed off and defensive. But he worried for Raven because, as Elise had very intuitively pointed out, Raven was a wounded bird. Damn, he loved Elise even more than he’d thought possible.

“Hey, Raven.” He hugged her, happy when she didn’t hang on too long or make any inappropriate comments. “You here to work?”

“I’m here to apologize. Your Miss Perfect was right. I hate that.”