Once Upon a Mail Order Bride - Linda Broday Page 0,134
the courthouse steps and took Bodie aside. “I’m not good with saying how I feel, but our time together has been some of the best I’ve ever spent. I’ve loved teaching you and watching you grow into a fine man.” Ridge drew him into a hug, fighting the break in his voice. “You’ve been like a son.”
Bodie sobbed silently, tears wetting his cheeks. “Thank you for taking me in and seeing that I have worth.”
Damn! Ridge blinked hard. “Wasn’t that hard to see. If the judge doesn’t grant my petition—” His voice broke. “In case he doesn’t, go home with Addie and stay in Hope’s Crossing. There’ll be lots of men willing to give you work.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of Addie too.”
“Thanks. Now go on inside with Jack. I need a private word with Addie.” Ridge waited until they moved away. Then, with the clouds threatening to spill rain, he took her hands and cleared his throat. “If this doesn’t turn out right, promise me you’ll go on and live your life the best you can without me. The house and land are yours. Don’t keep your heart closed. Find someone else to give you children, to protect you from the darkness.”
Tears spilled down Addie’s face. She clung to him. “I’ll never love anyone else. You can’t make me promise that!”
“You’re right, I can’t.” He reached into his vest for a handkerchief and handed it to her. “All I can do is hope you will listen and let your heart heal.”
Her fingers tightened around his arm. “This isn’t over yet. Stop talking like it is.”
“I just want you to be prepared.” How could he tell her to do that when he hadn’t prepared himself? He stood to lose everything he’d ever wanted. How could he take a chance he’d leave here in shackles?
Part of him yearned to grab Addie and Bodie and run as far and fast as he could. Yet the glimmer of hope shining through the cloud of doubt kept him rooted. He couldn’t pass up a chance to be free.
Free. The word echoed inside his head and sent an anguished cry through his heart. Ridge took a deep breath, pulled his shoulders back. It was time to roll the dice.
He led Addie inside to a seat at the front of the half-empty courtroom and sat next to Jack and Bodie. The sheriff and two deputies standing at the door to the judge’s chambers drew his attention, and his heart clenched in momentary panic. Judging by the way Addie gripped his hand, she must’ve also seen the stern-faced sheriff.
“I hope this won’t take long,” Bodie murmured. “My heart can’t take the wait.”
Ridge wanted to say his couldn’t either, but he wouldn’t let the boy see his nerves. “It’ll be over soon, son. Hang in there.”
Jack leaned close. “Don’t pay any mind to Greely’s reputation. Trust that this will end right.”
The words had barely left his mouth before the door to the judge’s chambers opened and a black-robed older man stepped out. He looked around with dark, piercing eyes. Someone said, “All rise.”
It had begun.
“Court’s in session.” The gray-haired judge heard two cases before Ridge’s. One man got five years in prison for horse stealing and was taken away by the sheriff. The other was a prostitute and she got time served for fighting. With a black eye, scratches all over her face, and copper hair that looked like wire, she was the roughest-looking woman Ridge had ever seen. He’d rather tangle with a bobcat. For a moment, he wondered what the other party looked like and if they’d fared any better.
Bodie squirmed, and Ridge felt the same impatience.
Finally, Judge Greely glanced over his round spectacles. “Ridge Steele.”
“Good luck,” Addie whispered.
Jack stood, explaining who he was. The judge motioned him and Ridge forward. “Thank you for hearing our petition, Judge Greely.”
The judge scowled at Ridge. “I read Miss Shiloh Duke’s statement and found the events of the night on July 22, 1877 in need of some clarifying. Did you coerce that young woman into proclaiming your innocence?”
“Absolutely not.” Shock that the judge would ask such a thing raced up his spine. Dammit, Greely was going to throw out the testimony. He should’ve listened to Bodie.
Jack cleared his throat. “Sir, the lady wrote that statement in my office in front of me, and I guarantee you that no one made her do it. She wasn’t in fear for her life. In fact, she was very relaxed and happy to