“I’m going to do her a favor.”
“That’s cold, Sam. Even for you. And I thought I was the heartbreaker. You’re giving me a run for my money in the love-’em-and-leave-’em department.”
“Don’t make it a bigger issue than it is, Scott. She’s better off without me. It’s not going to work out. I’m not what she needs, after all.”
“I can see why she’d be what you need, though. Her legs must be a mile long.”
The hair on the back of Sam’s neck stood on end.
“When did you see Julia?”
Scott gave him a hesitant smile. “Probably shouldn’t have mentioned that.”
“When did you see her?” Sam repeated, his knuckles tightening around the steering wheel.
“I drove down to have lunch with Dad last week. I needed a trim, so I checked out her salon.”
“And her,” Sam said between clenched teeth.
“After what Dad told me about how in love you are and the way you skipped out of breakfast to go running to her, it had me worried. I wanted to see what could be so flippin’ amazing about this woman to make you all whipped.”
“I’m not whipped.”
“I was worried,” Scott continued. “I put my butt on the line to get you this job. It wouldn’t look good for you to flake before you even started. I have to admit, she’d be a big temptation. Her kid was there, too. Cute, if you’re into the whole family-man scene. But I know you, Sam. That isn’t who you are. Never was.”
“Stay away from Julia.”
“It’s not like that. I told you that what happened with Jenny, I did it for your own good. Granted, I could have found a better way to handle things but...”
“You slept with her.”
“I’m sorry, Sam.”
Scott’s voice was quiet, sincere. It made Sam’s teeth hurt, because he knew his brother was sorry. He also knew that, in a warped way, Scott had done him a favor. At that point in his life, Sam had been so determined to prove that he wasn’t like his father, that he could have both a career and a personal life, he’d ignored all the warning signs about how wrong he and Jenny had been for each other. She would have left him eventually. He would have driven her away.
Now he knew better, and he wasn’t going to risk it again. Not his heart or his pride. He thought Julia understood him, but it was for the best that their relationship ended. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he was falling for her. He was close to feeling something he’d never felt before in his life, and it scared the hell out of him. What if he did let her in and she realized there was nothing inside him to hold on to? His heart had stopped working right the day his mother had died and he didn’t know how to fix it.
Sam glanced at his brother. “Do you think about what would have happened if Mom hadn’t been in the accident?”
“I used to,” Scott said, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “But she would have divorced him, and the end result on us would have been the same.”
“Yeah.” Sam nodded. “I think Dad discovered his emotional self about two decades too late to make any difference in my life.”
“You need to get out of here. Once you’re working for the Marshals, you won’t have time for all this thinking about your life. I’m telling you—”
Whatever Scott was going to say next was cut off when a stream of shots rang out from the house. “Stay here,” Sam yelled as he jumped out of the car.
“Not a chance,” Scott said, right on his heels, his gun in hand. “Call me your backup.”
Sam gave a brief nod. “You go around the side,” he whispered and headed toward the front of the house.
* * *
Julia dropped her cell phone back into her purse and took a deep breath. “I didn’t get the loan,” she said to her sister, the words sounding hollow to her own ears.
Lainey reached out a hand. The Tellett County courthouse was crowded on a Tuesday morning, and they stood near the end of the hallway, in front of a window that looked out onto the street. Julia thought it odd that the people below went about their business so calmly as her life spun out of control.
“Why not? What did they say? Oh, Jules, there has to be another way.”
Julia shook her head. “They don’t think I’m a good investment. It’s me, Lainey. Nothing is going to change that. Everyone in the salon yesterday heard me. I told Lizzy about my learning disabilities. Clearly, the bank doesn’t think I’m the right person to own my own business.” She tried to smile but couldn’t make her mouth move that way. “I can’t blame them.”
“I can.” Lainey’s tone was severe. “It’s the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Annabeth Sullivan is a vice president at the bank. I thought we’d come to an understanding and she’d forgiven me. I guess she still wants revenge.”
“How long are you going to have to pay for your past mistakes? You’re not the same person you were in high school. You’ve changed and everyone who knows you can see that. You’re a good person. It’s about time people gave you credit for how much you’ve accomplished.”
“I haven’t accomplished anything. The salon was my chance to make something of my life, to become more than what anyone thought I could.” She scrubbed her hands over her face. “There’s a reason I kept the LD a secret for so many years. It’s easier to talk my way out of people thinking I’m stupid than to deal with the truth.”
Lainey sucked in a breath. “Don’t say that. You’ll find another way. Ethan and I—”
“No. I’m not taking charity from you and Ethan, or Mom for that matter. Some things weren’t meant to be. I’ve had enough disappointment in my life to know that.” She glanced down the hall and saw Frank Davis motioning to them. “The hearing is starting.”
“I thought Sam was meeting you here.”
Julia swallowed back the tears that clogged her throat. “Like I said, I’m used to disappointment.”
“Don’t be silly. He’ll be here.”
Julia gave her sister a small hug. “Whatever you say, Lain. Right now, wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck. You’re a wonderful mother and that’s what’s most important. I’ll be here when you’re finished. We’ll have a celebratory lunch.”
The elevator doors opened as Julia walked past and she paused, her chest tightening as she willed Sam to materialize. When an older woman walked out, Julia continued down the hall alone.
She took her seat across from Jeff, his parents and their attorney. A small smile played around the corners of Jeff’s mother’s mouth. Lexi Preston didn’t make eye contact, her eyes glued to the stack of papers on the table. A pit of dread began to open in Julia’s stomach.
She darted a glance toward her attorney, who appeared blissfully unaware. But Julia could feel the long tendrils of impending doom reaching for her. She’d been in their grip too many times before not to recognize it now.
“Frank, what’s going on?”
He looked up, a big smile on his face. “Didn’t Sam tell you? He got a bunch of folks to write testimonials about your character. Really good, too. All of them.”
Sam did that. For her. Then why did the Johnson family look so smug?
“Where is Sam?” Frank asked. “I thought he was meeting us here.”
“Me, too.” Julia swallowed. “I don’t know what’s keeping him.”
The judge came into the courtroom. “In light of the new information given to me by both parties, I’m going to need a few more days to render my decision.”
“What new information did they give her?” Julia said in a frantic whisper.
“Your Honor,” Frank said as he patted Julia’s arm reassuringly, “we aren’t aware of any new information brought forward by the other party.”
The judge slowly removed her glasses and narrowed her eyes a
t him. “Mr. Davis, you do know about your client’s recent professional setbacks.”
Frank threw a glance at Julia. “I’m not sure—”
“I didn’t get the loan,” Julia said miserably.
“We’ve spoken to a reliable source that tells us Ms. Morgan is planning to move out of the area.” Lexi’s shoulders were stiff as she spoke. “A colleague of Ms. Morgan’s, Derek Lamb, had a conversation with her last week in which she expressed interest in a job with him at his salon in Phoenix.”
Julia knew Lexi had somehow gleaned that information, as well. “I wasn’t serious. I was upset about...about a lot of things, and Derek is an old friend—”
“An old boyfriend,” Lexi supplied.
Julia shook her head, panic threatening to overtake her. “Hardly. I don’t have the right equipment.”
Frank squeezed her arm. “Be quiet, Julia.”
The judge pointed a finger at her. “Ms. Morgan, your petition for sole custody was based partially on the stability of your current circumstances. Your ties to the community and your family being close were something I took into account when looking at your request.”
“Her ties to the community are highlighted in the affidavits I submitted.” Frank’s voice shook with frustration.
“There is also the matter of her engagement,” Lexi said, reaching over to hand a piece of paper to Frank.
Blood roared in Julia’s head. No one could have found out her relationship with Sam wasn’t real. They’d done everything right and she hadn’t told a soul, not even Lainey.
Unless Sam...
She snatched the paper from Frank Davis’s fingers and tried to decipher the words on the page, willing them to stop moving in front of her eyes. When they did, she felt the whole room start to spin.
“Were you aware,” the judge asked, “that Sam Callahan has accepted a position with the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C.?”
Julia looked at the woman, unable to speak. Finally, she whispered, “No.”
The woman’s mouth tightened. “May I ask, Ms. Morgan, if you’re still engaged to be married to Sam Callahan?”
Julia stared at the piece of paper in her hand, her vision blurring as angry tears filled her eyes. She blinked several times, refusing to cry in front of Jeff and his family. Refusing to cry over any man. “No, ma’am,” she answered quietly. “I don’t believe we are still engaged.”
Frank sucked in a quick breath next to her. “In light of these new findings, I’d ask for a recess to regroup with my client.”
“Yes, Mr. Davis, I think that would be a good idea. Our time is valuable, though, so please, no more wasting it. Get your facts straight and come back to me with a new proposal in one week.”
“Judge Williams—” Lexi Preston’s voice was clear and confident in the silence “—on behalf of my client, I’d like to request that you make your ruling today. The information that’s come to light this morning is another example of Julia Morgan’s inability to successfully manage her own life. It speaks directly to Jeff Johnson’s concerns for his son and the reason he is here seeking joint custody.”
Julia’s gaze met Jeff’s and he nodded slightly, as if to say “I told you so.” Which, of course, he had. And she hadn’t listened, convinced that this time events would work out in her favor. In large part because of Sam’s confidence in her.
Sam, who’d encouraged her to go public with her learning disorder.
Sam, who’d promised to stay by her side until her custody arrangement was secure.
Sam, who’d betrayed her today.
Lexi cleared her throat. “I motion that you award sole physical custody of Charles David Morgan to Jeff Johnson.”
The attorney’s words registered in Julia’s brain. They wanted to take Charlie from her. Completely.
She saw Jeff lean over and speak into Lexi’s ear. The younger woman shook her head then glanced at Julia.
Julia felt the walls of the room close in around her. She looked at the judge’s impassive face, trying to find some clue as to what the woman was thinking.
“Don’t let this happen,” she whispered to Frank. She needed to get back to Brevia, to wrap her arms around her son.
“We request you stay with your decision to rule next week,” Frank said, his voice steady. “My client has been blindsided by some of these new developments. That in no way decreases her dedication as a parent or her love for her son.”
To Julia’s immense relief, the judge nodded. “We’ll meet next Tuesday morning.” She pointed a finger at Frank Davis. “Before that, I expect you to submit a revised proposal for custody. Remember, we all want what’s best for the child, not simply what’s easiest for one of the parents.”
What’s best for Charlie, Julia wanted to scream, is to stay with his mother.
She’d come into this meeting so confident. How could things have gone to hell so quickly?
She pushed back from the table. “I need to get out of here,” she told the attorney.
“Be in my office tomorrow morning, first thing.” His frustration was clear as he watched her. “This was a clear-cut case,” he mumbled. “What happened with Sam?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t know.” What she did know was that Sam had left her vulnerable to losing her son.
Julia would never forgive him.
Chapter Fifteen
Sam ran his hands through his still-wet hair and straightened his shirt before knocking on Julia’s door.
He’d stopped home for a quick shower after the mess this morning had finally settled down. An all-night party had turned into a domestic disturbance that led to a four-hour standoff. The homeowner, high on an assortment of illegal drugs, wouldn’t let his girlfriend or her two kids out of the house. The situation had eventually ended with no injuries, for which Sam was thankful. But he’d been tied up in logistics and paperwork for most of the day.
He felt awful about missing the hearing and had called and texted Julia at least a half-dozen times with no answer. He’d then called Lainey, but she hadn’t picked up, either. As mad as she’d be about him missing the meeting, the character affidavits he’d helped compile had to make up for it.
Sam couldn’t wait to see the joy on Julia’s face now that Charlie was safe. He wanted to hear how things went, take the two of them to dinner to celebrate her victory. Even if she didn’t want to be with him anymore, he’d make her see how important it was to keep up appearances a little while longer. He told himself it was good for her reputation but knew he couldn’t bear to let go of her quite yet.
Julia deserved all the happiness life could offer, and Sam wanted to have a hand in helping with that before they ended their relationship. The thought of leaving her and Charlie made his whole body go cold. But he knew it would be best for Julia and that was his priority now.
He knocked again, surprised when Lainey opened the door. Even more surprised at how angry she looked.
“You have a lot of nerve showing up here,” she said through a hiss. “She doesn’t want to see you. You’ve done enough damage already.”
The confusion of not being able to get in touch with her turned to panic. “Where is she? What happened?”
Lainey went to shut the door in his face but he shoved one gym shoe into the doorway. Lainey kicked at his toe. “I mean it, Sam. You need to leave.”
“I swear, Lainey,” Sam ground out, “I’ll push right through you if I have to but I’m going to see her. Now.”
Casper came up behind Lainey, barking wildly. Sam could see the dog’s teeth shining and wondered if the dog actually meant to bite him.
“Casper, quiet.” The dog stopped barking but continued to growl low in his throat. Lainey studied Sam through the crack in the door. “I’d like to call the cops on you.”
“I can give
you the number.”
She blew out a frustrated breath and opened the door. Sam went to push past. “Where is she?”
Lainey didn’t move to let him by. “I’m warning you. She doesn’t want to see you ever again. She’s in bad shape.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand. Everything was lined up. Didn’t Frank Davis submit the affidavits? They were supposed to make everything better.”
“Julia didn’t mention any affidavits. What she did tell me, between sobs, is that you’d told her to go public with her learning disabilities. For whatever reason, Annabeth Sullivan convinced the bank that she was a bad investment for the loan.”
Sam’s breath caught. “No.”
“The best part, ” Lainey said and poked her finger into his chest, “the part that really made all the difference, was the little bombshell that you’ve taken a job with the U.S. Marshals Service.”
Sam’s whole body tensed. “How did they find out?”
“You don’t deny it? How could you have done that to her?” Lainey turned on her heel and stalked several paces into the small apartment.
“No one was supposed to find out until after she got the custody ruling.”
Lainey whirled back toward him, keeping her voice low. “And that makes it better? You were her fiancé. A stable father figure for Charlie.”
“Did Julia—”
“Oh, yes.” Lainey waved an angry hand toward him. “I know all about your arrangement. It’s ridiculous.”
“I didn’t mean for it to be. I wanted to help.”
“You’ve put her at risk, Sam. At real risk of losing custody of Charlie.”
“Where is she?”
Lainey stared at him. “In the bedroom,” she answered finally.
“I’m going to fix this.” Sam tried for confidence but his voice cracked on the last word.
“I hope you can.”
He walked past her, Casper at his heels. The dog no longer seemed to want to rip off his head. Julia, he imagined, was another matter.
“I can make this right,” he muttered to the animal. “I have to.”
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