Page 48 of Courageous Demands

Oh my gosh, how bad was this?

“Judge Rushman, do you need any help passing out flyers?” A woman said, her voice piercing the crowd. “You were kind enough to give my boy community service instead of sending him to jail – and I really appreciate your kindness. He turned over a new leaf because of you, and I would be happy to give back.”

“Judge Rushman? Mr. Beckett? This is Cindy Maldanado from Channel 4 News, and I am stunned at today’s turn of events. Do you have anything you would like to say to your friends and neighbors?”

She blinked, horrified, as a microphone was suddenly thrust in her direction. The news was here?! This was what she did not need to happen. If she broke down, letting Stevenson see that he’d scored a direct hit on her pride, then the news would have a field day, and she took a cue from her better half – Alec.

“I have no words for what has happened,” Willow said quietly, drawing strength from him. “I am shocked at the depravity of my opponent – and cannot comment as we will be retaining an attorney to pursue this invasion of privacy, slanderous accusations, and disgusting images shared with you all in order to sway the election.”

She looked at Alec, who nodded.

“I would like to add one thing,” Willow began, swallowing back all of her emotions to keep a cool composure – or as much as she could at this moment. She wanted to rage, to hide, to scream out how unfair this was because she had taken the ‘high road’ during it all with absolute faith that things would be okay… but she was shaken, faltering, and picking herself back up. If this was her path, so be it – she would not walk it alone. She slipped her hand into Alec’s. “While this is horrible, hurtful, and degrading, I would like to reiterate that today’s event is for the benefit of our community. We have some of our first responders, citizens, and beloved friends here – and everything collected during today’s fundraiser goes to our very own orphanage. One person’s depraved actions should not harm our youngest citizens who need our help so badly.”

When the reporter didn’t get the reaction she was hoping for, she quickly walked off, looking avidly disappointed that the ‘scoop’ she had been hoping for was turning into something else.

“Bravo,” Alec said quietly, turning to kiss her forehead and whispering to her. “Do you want to get out of here?”

“No,” she whispered, hating that her voice warbled. “I can’t, Alec. I’m going to take a deep breath, mingle, and act like none of this bothered me.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll have my breakdown later, behind closed doors.”

“I’ll check the windows,” he muttered and then kissed her temple again. “We’ll talk later once everything calms down, but you aren’t going through this alone. I promise.”

“I can’t believe him…”

“Shhh. Be strong,” Alec encouraged in a hushed whisper so no one heard him before kissing her temple. “That dude has no idea what a mess he’s stepped into”

His words were so softly spoken, so emphatic, and so unexpected that Willow couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as she looked him in the eyes. Anyone watching them would think they were an affectionate couple making sweet talk to each other, completely unaffected by what just happened.

“I love you, and we’ll come through this together,” he promised, smiling at her. “I am so proud of you right now, and that man doesn’t know what a fierce being he’s tangled with. Now, let’s mingle and work some magic because District Court Judge Beckett sounds pretty good. In fact, I know it will make one man’s knees quake in fear.”

“Yours?” she asked candidly and was rewarded with a wide grin.

“Yup,” he chuckled and hugged her again. “I was talking about Judge Stevenson, but yeah… I’m smarter this time around and finally figuring things out in my head.”

As he pulled back, she met his eyes and felt her entire soul smile at the acceptance in his gaze. It wasn’t beautiful words spewed for the crowd or fake promises offered to help her. No, he meant what he said, and while it might have been spoken hastily, or perhaps he was nervous, he was also willing to take a chance on them.

“Me too, Alec,” she said bravely. “We’re both smarter – and we’re going to make it this time around.”

“I think we are.”

He gave her hand a squeeze and tugged her forward into the crowd, where she thrived, smiling and talking with everyone.

* * *

Late in the afternoon, they left the chili cook-off as losers in the competition. They both sat in the cab of the truck, neither speaking. Alec had stayed by her side all afternoon, obviously taking a lesson from her as he smiled politely at everyone, shaking hands and chatting.

Maybe they were both just tired? Maybe he was having second thoughts? Her mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts or ideas – and none she wanted to put out there to the universe, just in case.

Pulling up at her house, they both got out of the vehicle. Alec retrieved the empty crockpot from the floorboard directly in front of where she had been sitting in the passenger seat seconds ago.

She didn’t hesitate. All she wanted to do was get inside, out of the view of anyone who might be watching her still. She was already walking up to the house, digging out her keys and unlocking the door. As she stepped inside, she held the door open for him, locking it, and she heard a noise behind her as the ‘armor’ she’d been wearing all afternoon was finally falling apart.

Alec had immediately set down the crockpot on the floor, already moving toward her. He was pulling her into his arms, hugging her as the first sob escaped her. Breakdown time! It was like a school bell going off within her as she heard him speak, her fingers curling into the front of his shirt as the flood of tears she’d held back came forth.

“Shhh… I’ve got you.”

---