True Love Cowboy

by Jennifer Ryan

It didn’t feel like he was getting anywhere. Not when he had to send Emmy back to her mother, who basically got away with what she’d done. She’d attend the parenting class, but she probably wouldn’t pay attention to any of it.

  “Steph’s new lawyer sent over a counterclaim to our request for full custody.”

  Of course Daddy came through and paid for Steph’s lawyer. Great. He expected a fight; it just sucked having to put Emmy through it.

  Elijah went on. “She’s furious and says you’re trying to steal her daughter. And I quote, ‘He’s just being mean.’ Seriously, her lawyer put that in her complaint.” Elijah rolled his eyes.

  Frustration got the better of him and he snarled, “Let me guess—he’s buying Steph’s story about what happened with Emmy.”

  “He’s defending his client. He states this was an isolated incident that will not be repeated.”

  Jon grew more frustrated. “Things have escalated to this,” he pointed out.

  “Have you seen Steph hit or grab her hard like that before? Have you seen bruises on Emmy that can’t be easily explained by normal child mishaps while playing?”

  “I saw her grab her arm once before, but otherwise, no.” The admission made him feel deflated. “But Emmy doesn’t want to be with her anymore.”

  “We have to prove that it is because Steph hurts her, not because they don’t get along and end up arguing with each other.”

  “Emmy gets sassy with her because of the way Steph treats her.”

  “Steph’s position is clear. If you don’t like the way she disciplines Emmy, she’s happy to have a discussion with you about it, and come to an agreement about how you will both handle future incidents.”

  “What about her leaving Emmy alone?”

  “It’s in Beth’s report. According to the document, Steph was only gone for a short time and felt Emmy was safe in the locked apartment watching TV. She said it only happened once, and like I said, she promised it won’t happen again.”

  “Bullshit,” he snapped. “Emmy said she’d done it more than once.”

  “You can only prove the one time because your friend found Emmy alone. Emmy’s testimony would help your case, but because she is so against being with her mother, it’s likely Steph’s attorney would argue that you coached Emmy to say that and you’ve turned Emmy against Steph.”

  “Seriously? I’ve never badmouthed Steph to Emmy. Ever. I don’t have to. Emmy sees her mother’s bad behavior. She feels how little Steph cares about her.”

  His cell phone rang beside him. He sucked in a calming breath and checked caller ID, thankful to see Trinity’s number and not Steph’s. He couldn’t deal with Steph right now. He’d probably chew her out again and make things worse.

  “Do you need to take that?” Elijah asked.

  “No.” He hated to ignore Trinity’s call, especially when their relationship seemed rocky right now. How could he blame her? Their dates got ruined because of Steph. She left work to help him with Emmy because of Steph. They constantly had to change plans or alter them because he had Emmy on days she should be with Steph.

  Not that Trinity minded those things. She never complained. But it had to be wearing on her the way it was on him.

  He wanted some normalcy. A routine that worked for them, and especially Emmy.

  “We have a good case to go to court, but we could use more than what we’ve got. It’s your word against Steph about the pot smoking, drinking, and neglect. If you can get pictures of that, then we’d have absolute proof she’s being a bad influence. The school records help with the neglect, but the other things, like not feeding her properly, bathing her, and taking care of her the way you want her to do it . . . well, that’s up to the judge to decide if he agrees with you or Steph. Beth reported that Emmy’s basic needs are met when she’s with her mother.”

  Emmy deserved better than that.

  “The judge will most likely begin by instructing you to try to come to a new custody agreement, though Steph’s attorney made it clear they are not giving you full custody.”

  “Let me guess—she likes things the way they are.”

  “She wants to keep the current arrangement. She’s made a good faith effort to do as you asked and have the apartment in order and food for Emmy when she has her. She’s proven that on your video calls, so you can’t dispute that.”

  No, he couldn’t. But that didn’t mean Emmy was safe with her mom.

  “It’s in your favor that despite the fact you don’t have to pay child support because you have equal time with Emmy that you pay for Steph’s apartment. It shows you’re generous, and that even if the judge didn’t give you full custody, but majority days of the week, you would be willing to forgo any child support from Steph, which could be a hardship for her, especially if you stopped her rent payments because Emmy lives with you.”

  “While I’d love to cut her off, I won’t stop the rent payments until a judge decides the case because I don’t want to look vindictive.”

  “Steph is already playing that card. She claims you want to keep Emmy so you and your new girlfriend—congrats by the way. I hear she’s a great person and really nice and Emmy loves her, which pisses Steph off. Anyway, Steph thinks you’ll get married and take Emmy and she’ll be cut out of the picture, you’ll poison Emmy against her, and she’ll never see her daughter again.”

  “While things with Trinity are headed in that direction, I hope, it doesn’t mean we want to cut Steph out. I just want to limit the time she has Emmy alone. At least until Emmy is older and can better care for herself and speak up when she’s not being treated well and get help if she needs it.”

  “I’ve seen this a lot, Jon. All I can say is, you need to accept that this is the best Steph can do. She isn’t capable of more. It’s been four years and things have been steadily declining to this point. Some people are great with babies but just don’t have the patience or heart to deal with toddlers and preschoolers. They don’t understand that kids have a mind of their own. Steph is frustrated that raising Emmy is hard work.”

  “Then why won’t she let me carry the bigger share of the load?”

  “For better or worse, she’s Emmy’s mom, and she doesn’t want to give up her child.”

  “So we fight.” He’d do anything for his little girl, including going through this arduous process. And hey, it could be worse. “I am so glad I never married her.”

  “If you’re really thinking about marrying Trinity, I’ll send you a prenup.”

  Jon didn’t want to think about how that would go down with Trinity. She was already on edge about him coming to her with a business proposal that he hadn’t even explained yet. But the prenup would protect Trinity’s interests, too.

  “Fine. What do you suggest I do about Steph?”

  “Until a judge rules on the new custody request, stick to the agreement in place, document everything, and hold Steph accountable. If we don’t get full custody, I’ll make our second offer. You take Emmy Monday through Friday. Steph gets Emmy nine to six Saturday and Sunday. No sleepovers, unless you agree to them. You’ll alternate holidays per your original agreement.”

  “Even that would be better for Emmy than what we have in place now.”

  Elijah agreed with a nod. “I know you don’t want to hear this or for anything else to happen to Emmy, but if it does, it’s more ammunition for us to take to the judge. Neglect and abuse are usually a pattern of behavior. Be vigilant. Keep up your video calls with Emmy after school. Check in on her as often as you can. Don’t let there be an opportunity for Steph to do any harm. Take Emmy every time Steph calls unable to care for or deal with her. Document that. It will show that shorter visitations would be beneficial to her and Emmy.”

  He hated that this process took so long. He just wanted Emmy here with him.

  “Okay. We wait for the court date. Until then DPHHS will check in with her in two weeks. It seems so far away. And you’ll be here to present the case with the attorney you’re co
ordinating with here in Montana?”

  Elijah nodded. “I’ve handed over all we’ve done here in California. I’ll fly in and attend the hearing as cocounsel.”

  He had to pay two attorneys, but it was the safer bet to be sure nothing fell through the cracks.

  Elijah knew him and Steph. It would take too long for a new attorney to get acquainted with everything they’d been through in such detail.

  Steph would be at a disadvantage there.

  “Don’t be discouraged, Jon.” Elijah always seemed confident. “If Steph continues like this, and it looks like she will, you’ll get what you want.”

  “I just don’t want things to get worse before that happens.”

  “We are doing all we can right now.”

  Jon hung up with a heavy heart. Only one person could make him feel better after that exhausting and frustrating call. He picked up his cell and tapped the screen to play the voice mail Trinity left him.

  She said few words, but they packed a punch. She sounded unsure and hesitant about reaching out to him when he wanted her to know and feel like she could always count on him. He’d gone about approaching her with his business proposal all wrong. He should have been up front with her about his thoughts and ideas.

  Instead, he’d kept them to himself because he wanted to have it all mapped out so she could see what he had in mind and how it would make all her long-term goals for Almost Homemade possible.

  He called her back, eager to hear her voice and set this right, but he got her voice mail. Knowing she had a full and busy day didn’t help ease his mind or the disappointment that he didn’t get to talk to her. “Hey, sweetheart. Sorry I missed your call. I was on a video conference with my attorney. About Steph. And Emmy. Let’s just say, it didn’t go the way I wanted. You and I definitely need to talk. I’m sorry I’ve left you feeling like . . . I don’t know what you’re feeling to tell you the truth, but I know it’s come between us and that’s the last thing I want to happen. You’re more important to me than anything, so let’s clear the air and get back to being happy together. I missed you so much last night.”

  More than he could possibly say. Enough that it kept him up and made him think about their future and what needed to happen so they could be together all the time.

  He thought moving here meant his life would be simpler. When he was with Trinity, it felt that way. Somehow, some way he was going to get everything on track. He didn’t like that Emmy, Trinity, and he were all off in some way. They’d shared so many good times and days together. He wanted more of that.

  He wanted more of everything with them.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Trinity checked the time on the voice mail Jon had left yesterday. She winced, feeling like shit for not calling him back last night. But last night had been crazy—they’d had an unexpected dinner rush, and she’d stayed to clean up. She had finally made it up to her apartment only to crash on her couch while she waited for dinner to warm in the microwave.

  It was still in there in the morning when her alarm went off and she found herself fully clothed, shoes on, still sleeping on the sofa.

  In a hurry to open the shop, she’d quickly showered, put on new clothes, and hauled ass downstairs to meet the morning crew to open the store. The early-morning bakers had done their jobs and were headed out when she came down.

  The store was humming with activity. Adria was in the office doing paperwork. She promised she’d stay only for an hour, then go home and rest like she was supposed to do.

  With the store shelves, refrigerated cabinets, and hot counter all stocked and ready for the lunch crowd, she took a seat at one of the tables by the front windows and listened to Jon’s message, hoping he wasn’t upset with her for not calling him back yesterday. He probably thought she was ignoring him. That’s the last thing she wanted him to think. Then again, she’d been very busy yesterday, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have taken the time to call and check in with him like she did most days.

  She didn’t like this odd state they were in and wanted to find a way to get back to where they were when everything was so good between them.

  She’d never had a relationship like they shared, and she didn’t want to lose it over something they hadn’t even taken the time to discuss.

  She could only imagine the drama, uncertainty, and strife he faced now that the Department of Public Health and Human Services had gotten involved with Emmy. Poor Jon. He wanted to do right by his daughter. And Emmy had to be feeling uncertain and confused by all of it.

  She tapped the screen for her voice mail. Jon’s deep voice settled her. His message was sweet, his voice filled with longing to be speaking to her instead of leaving her a message.

  She really appreciated that and so much more about him.

  And she hated that she hadn’t even bothered to check her phone last night. She should have and called him back if only to say she’d missed him yesterday, was too tired to talk, but she’d connect with him today.

  She called him now, ready to make apologies and set things right between them.

  “Trinity.” He didn’t say hello, just her name filled with relief. “I’m sorry. For whatever it is you’re thinking or feeling about the other day. Really. I’m so sorry. I just want us to get back to where we were.”

  All the anxiety in her heart evaporated. “Jon, I’m the one who’s sorry. I worked like a demon yesterday and didn’t see your message until this morning. I passed out last night without even looking at my phone.”

  “I miss you. I miss us.”

  Her heart melted. “I do, too. I don’t even know what it is that’s come between us. You had something you wanted to say to me and I don’t even know what it is, so why am I holding back?”

  “You don’t have to. Nothing about the business proposal is worth losing you and what we have together.”

  “You’re not losing me. It’s been a long couple days with work and the thing with Emmy and Steph and I don’t know . . . I’m tired, I guess, but my wanting to be with you hasn’t changed.”

  “Then say you’ll come out to the ranch tonight so we can talk in person and put things back to the way we both want them to be.”

  She should stay until the shop closed, but she didn’t want this thing with Jon to continue any longer. “I can probably get out of here by five.” If she tried to leave any later, she’d inevitably get caught up in the dinner rush and not escape until closing.

  “How about I barbecue steaks? I’ll make some baked potatoes and a salad or something and we’ll have dinner together and talk.”

  “You do the steaks and potatoes. I’ll bring the salads.” She could grab a few out of the refrigerator case and hold them in hers upstairs until she left tonight.

  “Look at us doing things together again,” Jon teased, but she sensed his relief that they’d see each other soon and work this out.

  “I really can’t wait to see you tonight.” She wanted to reassure him. She hoped he heard how much she meant it, so much so her stomach fluttered with anticipation.

  “I hope that means you’ll stay. It’s been too long since we’ve been together.”

  She really missed kissing him and having his arms around her. “I’ll bring my overnight bag.”

  “Maybe you should bring some stuff to leave here.” He waited a beat, then added, “Maybe you should just stay here.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. “That sounds like a bigger conversation.”

  “All you have to say is yes.”

  She wanted to say it, but she held back because they still needed to get back on the same page. “It’s not a no.”

  “Then I’ll do my best to convince you to say yes tonight.”

  She wondered if he hoped to get her to say yes to the business deal, whatever it was, too, but didn’t want to get into it right now. They’d see each other tonight, talk, and she’d know exactly what he wanted and where they stood.

  “Listen, Trinity, if you need more
time, I will wait however long you need to decide, but I want you to know I’m all in. I get that my life is complicated with Emmy and Steph and that’s a lot for you to take on.”

  “Jon, I don’t want you to think that because it’s not the case. I mean, yes, the trouble with Steph is . . . difficult, but I love Emmy. You know I love her.”

  “You’re everything I want for myself and her.”

  And that told her everything she needed to know. “How can I say no to that?” Her heart felt so full to bursting she pressed her hand to her chest.

  “Don’t.”

  “I can’t.”

  “I know we still need to have that talk. We will. I promise. But I know everything is going to be okay now, so that makes the rest easy.”

  She felt the same way. “You said in your message that you spoke to your attorney.”

  “Beth from DPHHS interviewed me, Emmy, Steph, the people at Emmy’s school.”

  “I had a brief conversation with her. I told her about my interactions with you and Emmy. Basically, I confirmed what you’d already told her.”

  “I’m sorry you had to get involved. Steph and I are at the point I hoped we’d never get to, battling for custody instead of working things out together. I knew it would come to this eventually, but when she said she wanted to move, start a new life here, I thought she was ready to make a real change.” Jon sighed. “I’m worried that she’ll want to go back to California. Her lawyer will probably advise her that it’s best for her to show she has family support to help her.”

  “Does that mean you’d move back with her?”

  Jon didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “But you need to put Emmy first.” She understood, but it would break her heart to lose them both now. She and Jon were just getting started on what felt like something that could be a forever kind of love.

  “Yes. She needs me. And I need you. I hope you know that, whatever happens.”

  She didn’t really know what to say. Her life was here. Her family was here. Her job. Would she give it all up to be with Jon and Emmy?