Page 27 of Grid Search

Lynae

Sitting in the court room, I look over at the Benedicts’ table. Only Cherise is there with her attorney. He stands up after the judge tells us to be seated.

“Your honor, we would like to request our own paternity be done on the baby.”

The judge holds up his hand. “No. This is from an independent doctor in Flagstaff. I’m not going to contest science, and you shouldn’t either. I can’t believe this case came to my court.”

“Your honor, we tried to have it settled before now, but the plaintiff wanted it to come to court.” Our attorney defends us.

“I see that. I rule for the defendant in this case. The baby is clearly not related to the Benedict family, and they have no reason to seek custody of the unborn child. This frivolous case shouldn’t have ever been brought here. It’s a waste of my time.” His gavel hits the stand hard, and I jump. Ryker squeezes my hand, and my lips tip up slightly as I look at him.

As soon as the judge exits, we are ready to leave.

“You’ll never raise that baby. I won’t allow it,” Cherise threatens.

“We’ve already filed a restraining order against you and is currently in effect. You threaten my client again, and I will have you charged,” our attorney says. “Get control of your client,” he tells her attorney, and we make our way out of the courthouse and head home.

When we get back to the vineyard, we head for Ryker’s parents’ house. Charlene is waiting out front and takes me in her arms, hugging me tightly. They wanted to come with us to court, but because it was family court, the judge wanted only the parties involved there.

“I have a pair of your favorite fuzzy jammies waiting for you. Go get changed.”

I look at Ryker and then back to his mom. “What’s going on?”

“I have to work tonight, babe. Sorry. I think you should stay here at my parents’, please.”

“Okay.” I’ll give him this because we’ve been so stressed out, and I need him to be calm for work. I don’t want him worried about me and getting hurt.

He’s not working for the fire department tonight. It’s one of his nights on the hospital helicopter. He’s gotten on a regular schedule, working a 24-hour shift twice a week, every other week.

He kisses me goodbye, tells me how much he loves us, and I walk into the house, which smells like fresh bread and good food. I love coming over here. His family has become my family.

Last night, I slept like shit without Ryker by my side, but I’m glad I stayed here and not at our house by myself. It’s cooler today, and when I step out onto the back deck, I see snowflakes gently falling. I love that living up here means we get snow in the winter. I check my phone and see a text from Ryker.

Husband

I love you, baby. Relax today and enjoy the snow.

Me

I love you too. Be careful.

He doesn’t respond, so I know he’s busy working. The snowy conditions could mean auto accidents and more that he needs to focus on. He’ll be home later today, and we’ll go home together to sit on our deck and watch the snow.

Isit in the chair, wrapped in a blanket with another fuzzy pajama set on. I must have drifted off because I’m woken by a loud bang. I realize it’s a gunshot when another goes off. I’m too big to run or hide, but I’m worried about my family. I look for my purse that has a gun in it and realize I left it in the room instead of carrying it with me. I’m not at our house, where we have guns hidden everywhere.

I stand and turn as the doors open, nearly falling over when I see Sayler walking out with Charlene in his grip. He’s not clean-shaven like he used to be, and his hair is a mess. But it’s the wild look in his eyes that gives me pause. He’s always been a bit on edge, but this is pure insanity. His gaze moves up and down my body, finally settling on my stomach. I wrap my arms around my belly to protect my son.

“Don’t hurt her, Sayler,” I beg, and he hits her with the gun, dropping her to the ground as he aims it at me. I don’t know what to do except do as he says to save both my baby and Charlene.

I think about Isla. She’s on Christmas break, and I hope she’s not in the house hurt. I haven’t seen her so far today, so I assume she left or is still in bed. She didn’t come in until late last night.

“Come here, wife,” he orders me, and I walk to him, careful of the slippery deck. He grabs me by the hair and yanks me to his body. “You are mine.”

“I thought you were dead.”

He twists me around, pressing my back to his chest as he forces me toward the front of the house.

“Doesn’t matter. You die too, then. We are only ever to be with each other. No one else.” He sounds crazy, and his eyes are bouncing all over as if he’s tripping on something.

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