Page 86 of Here With Me

A moment later, the judge walked in, carrying a thick black leather folder under his arm, and everyone stood until he was seated behind his desk. His graying hair curled around his ears, and his wire-rimmed glasses sat low on his nose. He settled in his seat, and everyone followed suit.

“Each custody hearing is unique. I’ve allowed some last-minute evidence to be brought in. Unusual? Yes. But my prerogative. Considering the future of this young child, I wanted to make sure I had all the information before I made a decision. What matters most in these types of hearings is that the child is placed in the best possible home.”

The judge nodded and the bailiff handed each lawyer a manila folder.

“Before you open that, I would like to say a few words. Lottie, your letter was heartfelt, innocent, and quite honestly, lovely.”

Lottie sat up a little straighter, a small smile breaking out on her face as she continued to twirl the leaf in her hand.

“I received a call last night, and while it is highly unusual to take a call about an open case, I allowed this one through because I want what’s best for Lottie.” The judge tapped a folder in front of him. He cleared his throat and paused a moment. “In an unusual and overwhelming show of support, an entire folder of letters has been collected from people who know Ms. Hoover and have seen her interact with Lottie.”

The judge gestured toward the envelopes. Simon opened his up and scanned over the first few letters. Sadie couldn’t look over his shoulder, her stomach too queasy to focus on reading.

“I took the time to read each and every letter, and Ms. Hoover, let me say, you have made quite the impression on your small town. They have the utmost confidence in your parenting skills and in your affection for Lottie. Also, for your business skills. I say that because of the concern over the financial state of your store. However, taking each of those letters into consideration, the letter Mr. Linden left behind and the way he set up his will, not to mention the letter Lottie wrote for herself—well, it made my decision easy.” The judge turned toward Lottie. “Miss Linden, I will honor your request and allow you to stay with Ms. Hoover. Ms. Hoover, your request to adopt Lottie Linden is approved.”

Lottie launched into Sadie’s arms as cheering and clapping rang through the courtroom.

Tears streamed down Lottie’s cheeks. Sadie’s, too. Lottie’s small body vibrated with energy as she squeezed Sadie tighter. Sadie rested her cheek on Lottie’s soft hair, her shoulders finally relaxing.

It was official! Lottie was her daughter.

“Court adjourned.” He smacked his gavel, nodded, and left the room.

Sadie closed her eyes. Thank You. An inadequate, but heartfelt response to the One who had carried her through. He had never left, and today He’d turned all of Sadie’s hard times into something wonderful.

He’d given her something beautiful out of the heartbreak.

He’d given her Lottie.

Doris and Patrick stood in front of the table when Sadie opened her eyes, Lottie still clinging to her. Doris’s lips pursed. “I do hope that we can continue to have a relationship with Lottie. She’s all I have left of Jeremy.”

Heat bubbled in Sadie’s stomach, but understanding cooled her temper. Grief made people do unusual things. Sadie nodded.

A look of relief crossed Doris’s face, and she offered her hand to Lottie. Lottie glanced at Sadie before slipping her small hand in Doris’s. “I do love you, sweet girl. I only want what’s best.”

Doris left the courtroom, followed by her husband close behind.

Sadie thanked her lawyer, and he handed her the folder full of letters. “I think you should read those, Sadie. Not only do they show support for you, but they all mention payment of outstanding debt to a certain hardware store.”

“What?” Sadie flipped the manila envelope open, but she couldn’t read anything, her vision too blurry.

God had worked out the details.

“I’m going to hug Oma.” Lottie bounced over, and Sadie’s mom knelt down so Lottie’s arms went around her neck. Tears flowed freely down Dawn’s cheeks.

Mayor Jamison and Sadie’s dad joined her by the table, and the mayor gripped her shoulder and squeezed it. “Sadie, I want you to read those letters. When David approached me with the idea of a letter campaign, I knew he had a stroke of genius, even if the compilation was a bit of a Hail Mary in the last quarter of the game.”

Sadie’s traitorous heart leapt at his name. “David’s idea?”

“It’s right there.” He pointed at the stack of letters.

Right there on top sat a letter typed up with a signature she knew too well.

David’s.

“He organized this?”

“With my help. Well, it was my idea and David brought it to life since I wasn’t in Heritage.” Romee walked up and threw her arm around Sadie’s shoulder. “Dad cleared things at the bank for people to make payments to be credited to our loan.”

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