Page 44 of Courageous Demands

A few days later and with another three-day shift under his belt, Alec watched emotionally as his buddy, Lance, said his vows and married his shockingly recent girlfriend in a rushed ceremony at the justice of the peace.

Ever since the fire where Colton rescued Blythe, Lance had been different – more focused on his girlfriend, a relationship, and having someone in his life. It wasn’t the old ‘Party Lance’ anymore who always used to beg him to go out. No, this man was changed – calmer, happier, more settled, and it was because Lance had finally found his home in the woman with short, dark hair smiling up at him.

The groom had a dopey, love-sick look on his face, and he pulled his new bride close to him, spun her around, and dipped her backward, almost like something Fred Astaire would have done in one of those old black and white movies. Blythe burst out laughing, obviously delighted at the romantic move from his friend. Alec couldn’t believe this was the same guy – yet at the same time, he was making notes in his head.

Watching the two lovers whisper to each other privately before kissing made him think of Willow. She was probably in a courtroom somewhere in the building. Maybe since he was off work, he would track her down and watch her in action, laying down justice like some regal angel of the court system.

Or maybe not.

He wasn’t sure he wanted Willow to get the wrong idea and froze as he heard the new Mrs. Cortes speaking to his buddy, Lance, as they walked over.

“Waiting on you.”

Was Willow waiting on him, too? Was she giving him the space that he needed because he kept pulling back and retreating because he was afraid? What would it look like if he stood tall or took a step toward her? Sure, she said all the right things, claiming she’d always cared for him, but what if the problem was him… again.

Yeah, he needed to think.

11

* * *

WILLOW

As Alec pulled his truck into the parking lot, the chili in the crockpot near her slushed menacingly, causing both of them to look down in alarm before sharing a nervous smile.

“Are you ready to do this?”

“You tell me,” he replied bluntly. “You are the one who has the stack of flyers for us to pass out.”

“You don’t have to…” she began, and Alec interrupted her.

“I don’t mind – and I’m kinda proud of the fact that you are some big, bad judge, you know? I mean, who else gets the inside scoop on the legal system? On that note, I have a question.”

“What’s that?”

“Are judges really only wearing underwear under those robes?”

Willow was so shocked that she blurted out laughing and heard his own join hers. They were both laughing so hard, she was wiping her eyes at the ridiculousness of the question – and the happiness she felt in just being here.

“We wear regular clothing,” she chuckled, answering him finally.

“Can I ask one more question?”

“Does it have to do with the legal system again or my underwear?”

“No, but it’s just as important.”

“Ask away…” she smiled – and felt him take her hand. Glancing down, she saw their fingers were laced on the seat between them and saw him take a deep breath, a furrow on his brow. “Whatever it is, you can ask me.”

“Do you want children someday?” he whispered, shocking her to her core. That was not the question she ever imagined him bringing up – and she didn’t know what to say, except to blurt out the truth.

“Oh yes,” she breathed. “I want a big family with lots of little ones running around. To me, there is nothing more wonderful than the thought of having siblings. I would imagine it’s like a built-in best friend or something.”

She had been an only child – just like Alec. His father had died when he was young, while her parents had divorced and both remarried. She was lucky because both families still got along despite all the changes. Her mother didn’t have any other children because of a partial hysterectomy – and her stepmother was barren due to a severe case of P.C.O.S. scarring on her ovaries.

Alec’s deep and soulful eyes met hers as he spoke again, barely a whisper.

“Do you ever wonder what they would look like?”

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