Chapter Twenty-Seven

James

 

My back was aching from overworking myself on the ranch after the court meeting. My rage was rolling like thunder through my veins, and caring for the land I loved so much was the only thing that kept my feet grounded, and my mind in a place that wouldn’t allow me to go after the kids.

Tuesday morning, Pedro stood in front of the barn doors, refusing to allow me inside.

“We handle work today. Rest,” he insisted.

“Work is the only thing keeping me sane right now,” I argued.

“You need rest,” Pedro stood firm.

I nodded. I couldn’t argue with him, especially knowing he was right. The work was too much, my rage throwing me into high gear. My back already throbbed, my leg trembled with a pinched nerve somewhere in my knee, and I knew another twelve hours of hard labor would do more harm than good.

“I’ll ride out to Axel’s,” I slapped the old man on the back as I watched his eyes filling with concern.

Pedro had been on this ranch for as long as I could remember. It was his job, his livelihood. I couldn’t stand to think what it would mean to him and his family if the place was up and sold to the highest bidder.

I gathered everything I needed for court and headed towards Axel’s, not even calling him until I was half-way there.

I shook my head, still in disbelief that Axel’s place was so domesticated, as I made my way to the door. The key was under the mat, just like he’s said. I looked around at the sidewalk-lined streets, kids on their bikes, men mowing perfectly manicured lawns, and wondered why he would even need to lock his door in a place like this.

Inside, I found a beer, the TV remote, and the couch. I drank, watched the National Geographic channel, and tried my best not to think about the court date.

Evelyn was a smart woman, an amazing lawyer, and I knew that she had more than enough proof to ensure I got to keep the ranch. But, still, something wasn’t right. The meeting being pushed to a last minute time and date, the way the judge seemed only interested in taking the kid’s side. It felt as though there was nothing she could do that would ensure my ownership. I already had the taste of defeat in my mouth. I couldn’t imagine myself in a place like this: a house with a fence so close you could reach out the window and touch it. Tiny shrubs in landscaped sections of the yard, neighbors that would wave each time you walked outside or pulled into your drive, no, this was not a place I could see myself living.

Evelyn called to go over a few last minute items, and to reassure me that everything would be fine. Something in my heart told me to believe her, but something in my gut wouldn’t let me.

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done,” I told her.

“I’m not done yet. You can thank me after you win,” she said with confidence.

“You really think we’ll win this thing?” I questioned.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t, legally,” she sighed.

“But, we still could lose?” I asked.

“Yes,” she hesitated.

“Why don’t I come there for the night?” I suggested.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. For all I know, the kids have a private eye watching our every move,” she scoffed.

“It’s not like they don’t already know,” I pouted.

“Don’t remind me, but remember, that evidence is gone,” she growled.

I wanted to remind her of our weekend together, to use that as an advantage to say if they wanted evidence, they could’ve already gathered it, but I didn’t. I knew it would upset her, make her feel uncomfortable that she’d stayed with me, and possibly cause her never to again.

“What are you wearing?” I whispered as I snuggled under a blanket on Axel’s couch.

Evelyn giggled.

We talked until we were nearly asleep, nothing dirty, just flirty and fun. It was nice not to talk about the case, even though guilt pushed from deep in my chest, my heart. I realized that my relationship with Evelyn was a huge hindrance for her career, so much so, that if she lost this case, rumors spread about us, she’d probably not be able to work in this town ever again.

My eyes closed as I thought about how hard it would be not having Evelyn in my life. If I lost the case, I had to come to terms with the fact, Evelyn may leave Texas and go back to New York.

“Hey,” I woke to Axel’s voice.

My eyes opened to his tall frame and slicked bald head hovering above me.

“You better get up and get ready. Big day today,” he smiled.

I grumbled as I lifted my stiff body from the couch. My hands rubbed my eyes, pushing them into my head until they nearly popped.

“I’m up,” I groaned, taking the coffee cup he handed me.

Caffeine flowing through my veins, a hot shower soothing my aches, and a sharp outfit had me ready for the day. My big day, as Axel called it.

I drove separate, meeting Axel in the parking lot of the courthouse before going inside. He offered words of encouragement, and I struggled to believe them as the Jasper kids smirked in my direction before going through the front doors.

“Don’t mind them,” Axel insisted.

We walked inside, finding Evelyn standing outside the courtroom doors. She looked confident, sexy, and ready to fight.

I loved the way her green eyes danced under the bright lights of the courthouse. She smiled as I approached her, a slight blush to her cheeks.

“You look good,” Evelyn blushed a bit more as she spoke.

I smoothed my tie against my light blue dress shirt as I grinned in her direction.

“We better get inside. We’re up first,” she smiled.

I followed her inside. The Jasper kids were in the front row center, so we sat off to the left a few rows back. She told me she had everything documented and entered into the courts, and that nothing they said could stand against the law, which was on my side.

“Where’s the regular judge?” Axel leaned in and whispered.

“I thought he would be here today,” Evelyn sighed.

I wasn’t sure what to feel about the old man from the meeting sitting on the bench. He hadn’t been too fair during what he called mediation, and he didn’t seem concerned that things got heated during what was supposed to be a calming session before court.

“Is this a problem?” I asked.

Evelyn looked fearful as she hesitantly shook her head.

“It shouldn’t matter; the law is the law,” she whispered.

I took a deep breath as my case was called. As I walked to the front of the courtroom and took my spot next to Evelyn, I let go of my worry and gave into the faith I had in her.

First, Evelyn spoke, offering up the will as the first piece of documentation to support my case. Next, the kid’s attorney spoke, giving a story of poor children who loved their father and cared for him in his days of sickness.

Evelyn presented the court with signed documents from Jasper’s nurse, employees, and others in the community who stated I was the only one with Martin Jasper during his last weeks on this earth. Everything the kid’s attorney presented to put them in a better light, Evelyn knocked down with fierce professionalism. Watching her tear through the obviously less experienced attorney was hot.

When the other attorney started to bicker with Evelyn, talking over top of her, the judge didn’t interfere. He sat on the bench, barely listening, and didn’t throw his gavel down until Evelyn started to win yet another argument against the attorney.

“I’ve heard enough,” the judge scowled.

My chest tightened as the anticipation of a win settled in. Evelyn had done a great job, and I had confidence that she’d won the case fair and square.

“There is not enough documentation to prove that Martin Jasper was in his right mind at the time of his death, nor that he wasn’t coerced into creating the original one. Therefore, I rule in the favor of the biological Jasper children,” his words nearly knocked me off my feet.

The room started to spin, and my stomach growled as it became unsettled by what was just heard, just echoed in that courtroom.

“You, James Laurie, have thirty days to vacate the premises, taking only your personal possessions with you when you go,” he slammed the gavel hard onto the wood.

My entire body shook from the rumble of the rubber mallet against the oak bench. Darkness filled my mind, my soul, as Jill’s voice erupted with a whoop.

I turned to Evelyn, heart-broken, confused, and thanked her for trying. I walked away before she could respond, before she could say anything to try and soothe my pain. I needed to be alone with my own pain.