Page 62 of Recklessly in Love

Nate’s answering grin makes me chuckle, but Joanie pipes up. “Um, lawyers,” she says, pointing between her and Mia. “I think we can take him.”

Mia shakes her head. “Trust me, we can’t.”

Rae folds up her apron and walks around the counter. “I’m willing to give it a shot.”

All four of us turn to her with raised eyebrows. Joanie gives her an appraising look. “My money’s on Rae. That voice of hers came out of nowhere for me, too, so I’m betting she’s got some other mad skills she’s hiding.”

Now it’s Rae’s turn to wink, and we all laugh.

“Bring it on,” Nate says, rubbing his hands together. “You bringing some pastries home, babe?”

Mia rolls her eyes and trudges into the back.

“We’ll meet you guys there, okay?” I pipe up. Nate nods, and we wave goodbye.

When we get out into the cold, fading afternoon, I press Joanie up against the passenger side of my truck.

“I meant what I said in there. You amaze me, city girl.”

She grins up at me, trailing a finger down my chest. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I shake my head and smile down at her. “I love you, Joanie. Exactly as you are. And I’m so damn proud to be yours.”

She tilts her face up to mine. “I love you too, mountain man. More than I ever thought possible.”

I lean in and kiss her, not holding back. Our tongues meet, and I groan into her mouth. And as I lose myself in her kiss, I know that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. Through all this, I realize she’s not just my love; she’s so much more. For the first time, I’m picturing what it would be like to share my life with someone. To grow old together.

Despite all this drama, I want to be with this woman. To protect her. To take care of her. Despite all the obstacles that have been thrown our way. Because a love like this? It’s worth fighting for.

* * *

I’m there for Joanie when she tackles the next obstacle first thing Monday morning at the County Clerk’s office. She files the protection order and is informed that she’ll be on the docket this afternoon. When she comments on how quickly she’ll get in, the clerk shares that Ned’s arraignment will immediately follow her appointment in a courtroom across the hall. In case we’re interested in attending that as well.

Obviously, we are.

Given that information, I’m much less surprised when neither Ned nor his parents personally appear at the protection order hearing and instead are represented by an attorney. Probably not even their main attorney, as Joanie speculates they’ll be helping Ned prepare for his arraignment.

But the protection orders are a slam dunk either way. With the evidence and our statements, Joanie is granted temporary protection orders against Ned and my aunt, given that they both assaulted her, even though Joanie has declined to press charges against my aunt. Since my uncle didn’t touch her and didn’t make direct threats of bodily harm, that order is denied. The temporary orders will be in place until a hearing they schedule for next Wednesday to make the orders permanent.

It goes so quickly that we have to wait a few minutes before entering the courtroom across the hall.

When we’re allowed in, Joanie sits toward the back to avoid notice, and I sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her protectively.

“Why didn’t they tell you the arraignment was today?” I ask in a hushed tone.

She shakes her head. “They’d only bring me in if they needed me for the pre-trial hearing. Given the mounting evidence against him, I doubt they will.”

I open my mouth to ask another question, but the judge calls the matter to order. My eyes scan the front and land on Ned’s greasy head next to an older gentleman, who I presume is his lawyer, with my aunt and uncle seated behind him.

“Are you supposed to be in the same room with them, given the protection orders?” I can’t help asking quietly.

Joanie smirks at me and points to the heavily armed bailiff. “I think we’re good,” she murmurs.

We listen as the judge reads the list of charges against Ned. It’s a whole fuckload longer than I thought it would be and is filled with legal jargon, not all of which I understand. But I catch “sexual assault,” and I’m floored when the judge lists crimes against minors. One look at Joanie’s face tells me there’s more going on here than just the charges she filed. When the judge is done, he asks Ned to enter an official plea.

His lawyer stands. “My client pleads not guilty, your honor.”

My mouth opens to protest, but Joanie immediately shuts me down with a look. “That’s standard procedure,” she says soothingly. “Don’t worry.”

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