Chapter 42
772 Words
Chapter Forty-Two
Brad was on his second cup of coffee when the phone rang. “Brad here.”
“Hey, it’s Keith. We got us a court date for next Tuesday. The judge has finally agreed to expedite for the benefit of Trevor. Oh, and I got a really friendly call, as soon as I walked in the office this morning, from Crystal’s lawyer. He’s furious and has filed a motion to delay this hearing.”
“Can he get it?” Brad stepped out of the house to make sure Crystal couldn’t hear him.
“I’ll do my best to make sure he doesn’t. And I wanted to let you know, I’ve got several affidavits about Crystal and the defaming comments she’s made around town against Emily. Along with Cliff’s statement, and thank you for that, her story is beginning to appear shaky.”
“Well, you’re the best. That’s why I hired you.” He could hear tapping in the background.
“Brad, could you come to the office right now?” Keith’s tone took on a seriousness Brad recognized well.
“What’s going on, Keith? I’ve got cattle to feed, a ranch to run.” But his stomach tightened a little more when he heard the sigh on the other end.
“Get your men to look after the ranch. You need to come in, Brad. This can’t wait.”
Brad stared up at the house as he walked, in the chilly air, around to the front. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Brad was waved into Keith’s office. The secretary pulled the door closed behind him. Keith smiled, but not in a confident way. It was his way when he had to say something, to someone, that he didn’t want to.
“Spill it, Keith. You’re making me nervous with all this prancing around.”
“Crystal’s lawyer has thrown a monkey wrench into the middle of things.”
Brad took a deep breath, and leaned back in the plain brown chair. “And what would that be?”
Keith leaned forward and clasped his hands on the desk in front of him. His eyes dimmed. “Crystal’s claiming Trevor’s not yours. The father is some guy she met in Miami.” The room narrowed and Keith appeared to be talking in slow motion. The ringing in his ears buzzed, long and loud, as the ache in his heart swelled, until he’d swear it’d shatter into a million tiny pieces. He launched himself out of the chair “I’ll kill her. I swear to God, she’s dead!” Keith in turn jumped out of his chair, and pinned Brad against the wall.
“Shut up, Brad. Listen to me.” If Keith hadn’t kept himself in such good shape, there’d be no way he’d be able to keep Brad in that room. Even so, Keith was sweating as he forced Brad back down into his chair.
“Brad, get a hold of yourself.” He stood over Brad, breathing hard as he held his arms loosely at his side, obviously prepared to grab Brad if he bolted again.
“We’ll order a paternity test today. Brad, I got to warn you, if it turns out he’s not yours, it’ll make the custody battle a little tougher. Not impossible, don’t forget that, on the birth certificate, she named you as the father. You still want him if he’s not yours?”
Brad shoved Keith as he jumped out of the chair. “God dammit, he’s my boy. I don’t care what comes back; that’s my little boy. Do you hear me?” The pain consuming him thickened his words.
Keith reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “Hey, I’m on your side. I’ll make the arrangements to confirm paternity, but heed me well, Brad. Until this is over, move out. Unless you can guarantee that you can cool that temper of yours, and not do anything stupid, you stay away from her. Pack your bags and move out. Move to one of those cottages on your property. And you make sure you’re never alone with her. I don’t care how, but you find a way. We’re too close, this is the final battle, my friend. Don’t blow it.”
Brad listened but he wanted her gone, whatever it took. Crystal knew exactly what buttons to push. The more Keith talked, the less he heard. “I can’t stay here. I need to clear my head.”
“You promise me, Brad, before you walk out that door, that you’ll pull it together and not do anything stupid.”
He knew what Keith was saying and he didn’t know if he could do it. “I’ll try, Keith, that’s all you’re going to get.” Then he left feeling numb.
He didn’t know how long he sat in his truck, or how he got here, but he climbed out of the truck and Emily was there; her hands in the dirt with Katy beside her.
- Writer
