A Rancher's Pride - By Barbara White Daille Page 0,65
barbershop. Same as she’d done that day—and every day—for Becky, even to the point of trying to protect his daughter from him.
How could he hurt a woman like this?
And how could he ever have thought he’d be worthy of her?
“Yeah,” he said, finally. “I’m sorry, too.”
THE FAN ABOVE THE JUDGE’S desk whirred, sending a breeze through the courtroom. The cooler air did nothing to take the moisture from Sam’s brow. He’d made his plans, and he was going through with them.
“All right.” The judge tapped his gavel on the desktop. “Court’s in session. Let’s get things taken care of.” Smiling, he looked at Sam and Kayla. “From information received, I can happily say you’ve both followed my suggestion to come together to bond with that little girl.”
Suggestion? Sam nearly laughed. What would the man’s orders sound like?
“Now, I guess it’s time to state my opinion in this matter.”
“Your Honor,” Kayla said. “Before you do, I’d like to speak.”
The judge frowned. Sam looked at her in surprise. Across the room, he saw Ellamae’s jaw drop.
Kayla cleared her throat. “I want to give up my request for custody of Becky.”
This time, Sam’s jaw dropped. He shut it again and shook his head. He couldn’t have heard that right. “What did you say?”
“I want to give up my request for custody,” she repeated. She crossed her arms. “But I’m not leaving here until you agree to give me visitation—”
“How often?” he demanded.
Her shoulders went back, but she stood her ground. “Twice a year.”
“Twice?” He frowned. “Are you kidding me?”
“No. I’m not going to settle for less than that, Sam. And I want—”
Bang!
Startled, they turned to the judge.
“You’ll pardon me,” he drawled, “but I do have the peculiar habit of liking to participate in my own hearings.” He gestured with the gavel. “Why don’t you two step out in the hall? Come on back when you’ve talked things over some.”
“All right, Judge,” Sam said. “But sit tight. We’ll be right with you.” Taking Kayla by the hand, he towed her down the aisle and out of the courtroom. In the hall, he released her. “Is that really all you want to see of Becky?” he demanded. “Two times a year will satisfy you?”
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
“I thought not,” he said softly. “That’s not what I want, either.”
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“First, for you to understand I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. But I have to think of Becky, too. I truly believe a school where she will be able to sign is the best place for her.” He took a deep breath, then let it out again. “I checked out the info you left on the desk. About the charter school. I talked to a few people this morning. They gave it a good rating. And I want her to sleep in her own bed every night. I agree—it’s exactly the right place for Becky.”
A tear ran down her cheek. He wiped it away with a trembling finger.
“And…” He took another deep breath. “I agree with you about Becky needing stability. From both of us. When she comes home every day, I want you to be there.”
“I know.” Her voice broke. “You want me to stay permanently. You said that once before.”
“That’s not what I mean now, not at all. I’d planned to say this to you in front of the judge before we heard his decision. You just beat me to the punch.” She stood looking at him, not saying a word. Not giving him an inch. That didn’t bother him. He’d go miles for this woman, if he had to.
He swallowed hard. “Kayla, from the day I burned down that barn, it seemed like my life was worthless. Like I had to spend it doing everything the hard way. The wrong way. Drinking and running wild and just plain making a fool of myself. When I finally got straight again, I hated every part of my past. But I don’t hate it anymore.”
This time, his voice broke. “I can’t regret a single thing about the way my life went after that night in the barn. It brought me Becky. And it brought me you.”
Her eyes shimmered again with tears, giving him hope.
“Marry me, Kayla.” He dug into his pocket and held out his hand. On his palm lay the diamond ring he’d bought days ago. “I love you. Becky loves you. Our lives won’t be complete without you. We need to be a real family. Together.”