Page 35 of Dependable Cowboy

“Yes.”

“And this despite the fact that you didn’t think him amongst the living?” Craig, his partner and brother picked up the questioning.

“Yes,” she emphasized the word. Did they think she’d joke about something like this?

“The problem, Ms. Randall, is that you came to us seeking a way to divorce someone you strongly suspected—or told us you strongly suspected—to be deceased. Now that you know for certain that he’s not, this alters things significantly,” Phil said.

“Alters it how?”

“Your divorce will not automatically go through uncontested channels, for one thing,” Craig said, and the way they were volleying the conversation back and forth was making her feel like she was in the middle of some sort of intense tennis match.

In combination with her lack of sleep, it was also giving her a headache.

Phil spoke up next. “For a divorce to be uncontested, both parties have to mutually agree to part ways. They have to decide who gets any property or belongings. They have to decide on the custody of any children, as well.”

“But wouldn’t I get custody since Kara’s been with me all along?”

“Most likely,” Craig tilted his head toward her. “But without him agreeing to that, it could prove a point of contention. If he fights you on this divorce, it could become much more costly than you were anticipating. And if you have to go to court to fight for the custody of your daughter, we’ll need to have proof ready that you’re the superior parent. Especially if you plan to keep her away from him entirely.”

Did she want to keep Kara away from him entirely? Before last night, she wouldn’t have thought so. But then again, before last night, she’d been ninety percent sure that she would never lay eyes on Wayne again.

“We’re not saying it’s impossible,” Phil leaned in closer, softening his voice.

“Definitely not,” Craig added.

“We’re merely letting you know that the game has changed. With your husband indisputably alive and residing in another state, it complicates our ability to sever ties with him in a manner that would be cut and dried. This will likely take more time and financial resources now,” Phil informed her. Not unkindly.

And all she had were her few meager belongings and a stylist from a small town’s salary. Which, frankly, wasn’t that much. Fine to live on as long as no real monetary setbacks came up, but nothing like what she used to make. The cost of living in Montana might be cheaper than in California, but that advantage could rapidly disappear in the face of high legal costs.

This wasn’t good news.

“Based on his actions, the first thing we suggest you do is file a restraining order against him,” Craig told her. “Not only for your safety and that of your daughter, but to create a longer papertrail. If he violates it in any way—and that means visiting you at work or even sending you a call or text—then that would be grounds for the court to find in your favor.”

This was frightening, and not only in the way that Wayne acting so erratic was frightening. So much was at stake.

“Good thing Aaron didn’t plant his fist in his gut, then. That probably would’ve made everything worse.”

“Say again, please?” Craig focused on her with narrowed-gaze scrutiny.

“Aaron. Aaron Hunter. He’s my…” What was Aaron to her? What had he become to her? “I suppose you could say we’re dating.”

“That’s something you’ll need to cease and desist this instant,” Phil sounded stern. “If you’re already being accused of cheating, the last thing you need is to have a man in the offing that your ex can point a finger at.”

She shook her head. “But it’s not like that at all.” Even as she said this, though, her traitorous memory brought to her images of their fervent kissing. Kissing that had taken place on more than one occasion.

“We’re not stating that you have to end the relationship on a permanent basis,” Craig picked up an ink pen and clicked it a few times. “But until this case is wrapped up, for the good of yourself and your daughter, it’ll look better on your end to not have any other… entanglements.”

Joy felt heat come into her face, even though she wasn’t technically guilty of any wrongdoing. Still, they were making herfeel that way. As if carrying on with Aaron somehow meant that she was the one who was guilty.

Even though she knew she wasn’t.

“It’s about appearances,” Phil explained, standing. He retrieved some paperwork which she glanced through. “This will enable us to continue the divorce proceedings with the new information that has come to light. There’s still a possibility that your former husband could let this go through uncontested…”

“But from everything you’ve just told us,” Craig took over. “We doubt it. So, you should prepare yourself for a fight. And it might become a difficult one.

Phil indicated where she should sign, and once she had her copy, she held the papers in her lap, staring at them without really seeing anything.

“We’ll send a copy to your email. Once Mr. Randall receives the updated paperwork, we’ll let you know his response. And we understand that this is a lot. Just know that we’re on your side, Ms. Randall.”

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