* * *
* * *
Hey, everyone! I’m Keira, and today I’m at the Galápagos Animal Sanctuary, a breeding and rescue organization helping to keep the wildlife of the islands healthy and thriving.” Keira focused in on the camera. “I’m going to let you in on a secret. I’m about to fulfill a lifelong dream of mine—meeting a Galápagos tortoise! I make no promises of how I’ll act when I do.” Keira crossed the dirt yard to where a man in head-to-toe khaki crouched by a giant tortoise. “This is TJ, the director of the sanctuary. Hi, TJ. Thanks for letting us come here today.”
“Anytime. I’ve been a fan of yours for some time now.” TJ might have blushed a little bit. He wasn’t unattractive, but Keira had learned her lesson about being too friendly with men she worked with.
“Thanks! Who’s this guy?”
“This is Mack, a Galápagos tortoise. Now he’s only about two hundred pounds, but they can get up to five hundred fifty pounds.” TJ continued rambling facts.
Keira only partially heard what he was saying. She ran her hand over Mack’s shell.
The tortoise twisted his head to peer at Keira, then returned to his lunch of leaves.
“Watch how far Mack can extend his neck for food.” TJ held up the branch as he explained a tortoise’s typical diet in the wild and in captivity. “Now, while his neck is extended, you can pet him right under the chin. He’ll love that.”
Keira obeyed, feeling an Anabelle-esque giggle rise in her throat as she stroked the scales covering Mack’s neck. Keira peered closer at the animal’s head. “TJ, do tortoises have ears?”
“Actually, tortoises have something that sets them apart from every other class of animal. That is the otic capsule right here.” He pointed to a darker spot on either side of the tortoise’s head. “The otic capsule is a bony box that holds the eardrum. Vibrations travel up the legs, through the shell . . .”
Keira’s chin snapped up to the camera. She stared deep into the lens until her eyes burned. Oh, what she’d give to see Robbie and Anabelle’s faces in that black circle. “Kitty Kat,” she said. “Turtles do have ears.” Her vision blurred.
Something tickled her cheek, then fell. A tiny, dark starburst appeared on Mack’s shell. Then another.
Keira grazed the heel of her hand against her jawline, finding it wet with tears.
“Hey, you doin’ all right?” TJ asked.
Keira looked up at him, then around at her crew, who stood stone-still watching her make a mess of herself on camera.
Phil did a hand motion, cueing her to move the segment along.
“I’m more than all right. I just realized something.” Keira patted Mack’s shell gently. “I don’t belong here.”
“Uh, at the animal sanctuary?” TJ looked confused.
“On this show.” Keira sniffled and wiped her cheeks before returning her gaze to the camera. “Adventures like these are great, but they are even better when you get to share the experience with those you love. The Galápagos Islands are a fantastic place for a family vacation. There are many activities perfect for kids of all ages. And when you come, make sure you stop by the Galápagos Animal Sanctuary and say hello to Mack and TJ.”
After Phil called cut, he motioned for Keira to join him. “We need to redo that. It was awkward with the tears and rambling to people who aren’t even here.”
“I think you should call Margot in for the retakes. And she’ll have to film the remaining segments on the islands.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I’m going home. I thought this was my dream, but I was wrong. This is Margot’s dream. She’s the star of Traveling Light. Not me.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
A few minutes before the final custody hearing was scheduled to begin, Robbie drummed his fingers against his leg. This time he’d dressed to the nines, at least to the extent he could afford to, meaning he’d borrowed Drew’s “funeral” suit.
Meanwhile, Vivian’s legal team bumped up the sophistication of the courtroom by a good ten points. Lex, the lead counselor, was all business in his fancy suit. The guy probably had more than one. Vivian also looked like a femme fatale in her pin-striped pantsuit and spiffy hairstyle cut in a sharp line at her jaw. But instead of a hard glare, her eyes darted about the room. She grasped her husband’s hand. In response, Eric planted a kiss on her forehead.
The seats behind them were empty. Vivian hadn’t had a good family life back when they’d been together. Apparently, her friends were as faithful as her family.
A twinge of pity struck him, especially when he compared her support to his.
Behind Robbie, everyone he loved awaited the judge’s arrival. His parents, Ryann, and all his friends packed the three rows. The only people missing were Anabelle, who was getting waffles with Sylvia and Olive down the street, and Kat, who was in the Galápagos on her last day of filming. Selfishly, he wished she was here. Either to celebrate his victory or help him figure out how he’d live only seeing Anabelle a few days a month.
Of course, she was not here. And even after filming wrapped, she planned to return to Twin Falls instead of West Yellowstone. What the future held after that was anyone’s guess. He hadn’t been able to think past this date on his wall calendar.
Allowing his eyelids to shut out the harsh lights of the courtroom, he puffed out his cheeks and let out a mighty breath. Lord, may your will for Anabelle’s life be done. Protect her and don’t ever let her doubt how many people love her.
Suddenly, the air in the room changed. It warmed, and the pressure lessened, like storm clouds dissipating enough to let a beam of heavenly light through. The hair on Robbie’s forearms raised.
He lifted his gaze to the door and found Keira, in the flesh.
The rest of the world melted away as he leaped over the bar, darted to the back of the room, then swept Keira up in his arms. Even as he held her, he wondered whether he was caught in a dream. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled, filling his lungs with the faint melon scent of her shampoo. “You’re here.”
She drew back her shoulders and placed her palm against his heart. “I’m home.”
“For good?”
“My contract was so flimsy in describing my guest-hosting role that I was able to leave a few days early. This morning, Phil called and offered me the full-time hosting job for next season. I said no.”
Her words should have made him rejoice. Instead, they caked his insides with dread. He stroked her hair behind her ear. “You shouldn’t have given up your dream for us.”
Lightly, she pounded her fist against his chest and smiled. “I didn’t. I did it for me. That dream served its purpose. It got me through some of the most difficult times of my life. I’ve realized that I’m strong enough to do anything and go anywhere completely on my own. But, Robbie, I don’t want to. It’s time for a new dream. One where I don’t have to choose between the things I love and the people I love. Whatever that new dream is, I want to make it with you. I love you.”
“And I love you, Kat.” He tilted his head down, unwilling to let this moment pass without sealing it with a kiss. Gentle. Sweet. Innocent. And lingering. His lips refused to withdraw from hers. Someone poked him in the back.
He waved them off.
“Robbie, it’s time,” Cassie hissed from behind him.
Finally, he pulled back and met Keira’s eyes.
“To be continued,” Keira whispered. “Now, go fight for your girl.”
“Please rise,” the bailiff said.
Robbie hurried back to his seat, this time using the gate. He’d already given Judge Keller enough reason to find him reckless. He stepped behind the table as the judge entered the courtroom.
“You may be seated.”
Judge Keller reintroduced the basics of the case. “I have before me the original parenting plan proposed by the petitioner,
Vivian Cartwright, the answer to parenting plan by the co-petitioner, Robert Matthews, and the child custody evaluations performed on both the mother of the child and the father of the child. Quite a lot has happened since we last met, hasn’t it, Mr. Matthews?”
The flags on either side of Judge Keller seemed to waver, despite the stale air in the room.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’d like to hear the position of both petitioners regarding how they believe physical and legal custody of Anabelle Matthews should be divided. We’ll start with the counsel representing Vivian Cartwright.”
Lex was ruthless in his accusations. Each aspect of Robbie’s life was called into question. His impulsivity, finances, lack of intellect, and unsafe living conditions were specifically highlighted. At least they left his family out of it. The most significant charge against him, of course, was his poor decision-making. The missing persons report he’d filed in Alaska was submitted as evidence.
Judge Keller read through the report, occasionally looking down his nose at Robbie. He clicked his tongue. “Counselor for Mr. Matthews, you may present your case.”
Cassie rose from her seat with confidence. “Your Honor, the accusations against my client are based on lies and half-truths. Mr. Matthews is a dedicated, capable father. As the sole custodian of Anabelle for over four years, he has cared for her, provided her with a suitable loving and educational environment, and encouraged faith and family values. As you can see in my client’s answer to the proposed parenting plan, Mr. Matthews is supportive of Anabelle spending time with her birth mother, even though she had been abandoned by Mrs. Cartwright shortly after birth. The plan he proposes is moderate, while Mrs. Cartwright’s plan is extreme. I urge the court to remember that, according to Montana state custody laws, the most important concern is the best interest of the child.”
“I don’t need to be reminded of that, Counselor.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Mrs. Cartwright, what was your relationship with Mr. Matthews like?”
“There was no relationship,” Vivian said.
“But you shared a residence, did you not?”
“We were roommates. Nothing more.”
“Mrs. Cartwright, during the pregnancy, did Mr. Matthews attend any doctor appointments, ultrasounds, or birthing classes with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What percentage would you say?”
There was silence. Finally, Vivian answered. “Every one.”
“Was he present for the delivery of the child?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who would you say covered the majority of the childcare responsibilities after the child was born?”
“Probably him.”
“How old was the child when you moved out of the home?”
“Around nine weeks old.”
Robbie pinched his eyes shut. Seven weeks, five days, and about two hours old.
“What was your reasoning?”
Again, Vivian didn’t answer.
Several moments went by.
Lex stepped in. “The child seemed to have colic and acid reflux in her infancy. She had difficulty eating and sleeping and cried most of the day. It is also likely that my client suffered from postpartum depression at the time.”
“That’s a hard road by all accounts. Was the child under a doctor’s care for her medical issues?”
“Yes, sir,” Vivian said.
“Mrs. Cartwright, did you seek treatment or counseling for your postpartum depression?”
“No, I did not.”
“And tell me, Mrs. Cartwright, between the time your child was nine weeks old and four years old, how many times did you seek contact with her?”
“Zero times.”
“What possible reason kept you away so long?”
“I was waiting until I was in a better position to mother her. As you can see in the child custody evaluation, I can now offer Anabelle a much more secure life than she’s ever known.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Cartwright. Mr. Matthews, would you please explain to me what occurred on the evening of July 12 in Denali National Park.”
Robbie cleared his throat. “I was working as an assistant on a television show. Anabelle was being watched by the show’s intern, and she wandered into the forest. She was missing for five hours before she was found, unharmed.”
“Did you know, at the time, that by reporting your child missing to the police your parenting rights may be put in jeopardy?”
“Yes, sir. But I would have done anything for her to be safe.”
“It’s my understanding that on that show, you were an assistant for Keira Knudsen. You and Ms. Knudsen have quite a history, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“But still, you quit that job and came back to West Yellowstone after the Denali incident. Interesting. I hear you’ve recently started a custom home-building business. I have a letter here from Teddy Woodward—”
The crowd murmured.
“—stating that you are building his luxury home, and you have contracts on two others. You’re doing pretty well, aren’t you?”
“I’d like to think so.”
“His isn’t the only letter my office has received. We’ve been inundated. No less than nineteen letters from folks in the community. Each one paints you as an upstanding man of faith and a good father. Several state you often don’t accept payment for the work you’ve done while fixing up people’s homes. That’s either extremely dumb . . .” Judge Keller paused to shuffle the letters, allowing for the cheap, familiar insult to burrow into Robbie’s head. “. . . or valiant.”
One of the wooden benches behind Robbie creaked. The bailiff stifled a cough with his elbow.
All eyes fell on the judge while he scrutinized the paperwork long enough for the sweat to suction Robbie’s dress shirt to his chest. After this, he had half a mind to strip off this death suit and plunge into the Madison headfirst.
Keller shifted in his leather chair. The man’s laser focus lifted to Robbie, then Keira. Back to Robbie again. He closed the folder and rapped his knuckles on it.
“I’ve considered the evidence and the testimonies of the co-petitioners. From what I’ve seen, one of these petitioners has shown a commitment to parenting despite hard times, a dedication to the best interest of the child even if it requires sacrifice, and a history of protecting those he loves. Robert Matthews, I have no doubt that if your child is ever in harm’s way, you will risk life and limb to save her.” Again, Keller glanced at Keira, then back to Robbie. “Your courage and fortitude are, and always have been, exemplary.”
Robbie’s breath left him.
“It is my decision that there will be joint legal and physical custody of one Anabelle Matthews by Vivian Cartwright and Robert Matthews. Monday through Friday, she will reside in her primary residence with her father. Saturday and Sunday, she will reside with her mother.”
The closing statement by the judge got lost in the whirl of emotions turning Robbie inside out.
Someone hugged his neck from behind.
He didn’t know who until the wild red curls of his sister tickled his cheek.
On his right, Cassie nodded with her quaint arrogance.
Once they were dismissed, he hugged his mother and father. Off to the side, Keira waited, with that coy look on her face. Robbie sat on the bar and swung his legs over. Once he stood, she hugged him.
“You did it.”
“I’m glad you were here with me.” Over the top of Keira’s head, Robbie spied her grandparents and her mother standing against the back wall.
Even in the courtroom light, Claire glowed. She looked healthy and happy for the first time since Robbie had known her. The rumor was that Joshua Knudsen had been served divorce papers but immediately tore them to pieces.
&nbs
p; “Did your family drive you here?”
“Yeah, they picked me up at the airport and drove me straight over.”
“You took the red-eye?”
“Why else would I look this terrible?”
“You’ll always be beautiful to me, Kat.” He laced his fingers through the hidden section of her hair. “Even with tangles in your hair and bags under your eyes.” He lowered his head to hers.
Her lips, like the rest of her face, were bare. And they fit perfectly to his. Forever and always.
“Only you two could make a courtroom romantic. Let’s go celebrate.” Ryann stood at the end of the row. Everyone else had already filtered out. Almost everyone.
Vivian remained in her seat, alone.
“Kat, why don’t you go on out? I’m going to talk to Vivian a minute.”
“Sure,” Keira said.
Ryann put her arm around Keira’s shoulder. Together, they strolled through the door, sisters.
Releasing a silent prayer to the Lord above, Robbie waited until the door closed. What could he say to Vivian after she tried to rip his daughter away?
Grace. Speak grace.
“Anabelle loves you. Do you know that?” he asked.
She folded her hands over her face.
“She’s always telling me about the way you brush her hair real carefully. How you paint her nails and take her to get rainbow milk, whatever that is, at the coffee shop.”
“That’s not love.”
“It is to her.”
“She’s never said it.”
Robbie leaned against her table. “Did you know that her first word was Mama? Somewhere deep inside, she missed you.”
Vivian’s scoff echoed off the barren walls. With her shoulders sagging, she leaned back, and the chair creaked a sound of surrender. “I shouldn’t have left. But you loved her so much. You’d get this dopey look on your face whenever you’d feel her move inside my belly. You never looked at me that way. Then, even when she was crying and kicking her little legs because her tummy hurt, you’d still hold her against your chest and kind of dance with her. You never once asked me to dance.”
This Wandering Heart Page 29