Page 52 of Can't Take Moore

Completely spent, I sucked in a deep, ragged breath and let out a contented sigh. “I love you, too, princess. So damn much.”

I reached down and grabbed the soft, fluffy throw blanket that was tossed across the foot of the bed, covering us both with it. The softness of the pillows and the down comforter beneath us cradled my body. A perfect, satisfying exhaustion enveloped me.

Vienna yawned and rolled over in my arms, so I was spooning her. With her back pressed to my front, she fit me perfectly, as if we were two parts of a whole. Hell, maybe we were. I stroked her hair, pressed a kiss to her shoulder, and held her just a little tighter. I never wanted to let her go. I was utterly content, happier than I’d ever been before as I rested my chin on the top of her head and let my eyes close.

“I hope I made your day better, princess.”

Already asleep in my arms, Vienna murmured something incoherent and snuggled against me. I couldn’t help smiling. There wasn’t a luckier man in the world than me. Not for the first time, I acknowledged the fact that making this woman in my arms happy just felt right, like it was meant to be.

23

Vienna

Istayed in my love bubble with Dean for two weeks, not letting thoughts about the upcoming hearing get in the way of the happiness I’d found with him. But the day finally came when he had to make the drive up to Chicago and face my mother in court.

“Thanks for driving,” I whispered as Dean parked his car in the garage attached to the courthouse.

He leaned over the console to give me a quick kiss. “My pleasure.”

“I guess we’d better do this. I don’t want to be late.”

I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves as Dean exited the car and came around to open my door. My hand trembled as he grasped it to help me out, and I was relieved that he didn’t let go until we reached the security check-in. We made it through the metal detectors without any issues and headed toward the courtroom where we were supposed to meet Ryland.

We followed the directions the guard gave us. My eyes widened when we stepped out of the elevator, and I saw the crowd waiting for us in the hallway. So many people I’d come to know during my time in Mooreville had come all the way here to support me. Dean’s mom and dad, most of his cousins, his aunts and uncles, and his grandparents. Even Mr. Reinhold had made the trip. So did several people from the high school hockey team. My eyes were wide as I stared at them all. “I can’t believe you’re all here.”

Jack was the first to approach us and gave me a quick hug. “You’re one of us now. We have your back.”

I knew that everyone’s gesture of support meant as much to Dean as it did me when he didn’t even glare at him, instead opting to say, “It means a lot that you made the trip up here. Thank you.”

Jack pointed toward a small group of his players. “I couldn’t let them drive up here by themselves. Who knows what kind of trouble they would’ve found to get into?”

“Considering the kinds of things we got up to as teenagers, probably a hell of a lot,” Dean joked.

“Good point,” Jack agreed before stepping aside so the others could greet me.

I got hugs from all of the Moores and a handshake from Mr. Reinhold, who murmured, “Gotta keep an eye out for my best customer.”

My mom didn’t take her eyes from us, her expression growing darker as each person warmly greeted me. It looked as though Nadia was trying to keep her from confronting me, but she broke free from my sister’s hold on her arm and marched over. “Who are all these people? This is a private family matter.”

Dean’s hand pressed against my lower back, his way of letting me know that he was there if I needed him. It was a reminder of one of the profound lessons I had learned during my time in Mooreville. “Family is not the people you’re related to by blood. They’re the ones who support you.”

“I have been very supportive of your career, Vienna,” my mom scoffed.

“But your support always came with a price, Mom. It wasn’t unconditional.” I held up my hand before she could argue with me. “And there’s no denying that you’ve always looked out for your own interests before mine. That’s why we’re here today, after all.”

“Only because you tried to ruin everything we’ve built,” Nadia accused. “You didn’t stop to think about Mom or me before you ran off, so why should she worry about you?”

“I didn’t run off and abandon you. Before I left, I wrote each of you a letter explaining what was happening and made sure all the bills were paid. You didn’t have anything to worry about. You had a roof over your heads, food in the fridge, and clothes in your closet. All paid for because of me. The only thing I asked for in return was a little space to figure out where I wanted to go from here, but you couldn’t give me that. You were too scared that you wouldn’t be able to maintain the cushy life you’ve been living on my dime to stop and think about what I needed. The funny thing is, you didn’t have anything to worry about.”

“But Mom said you’re firing us?” she whispered.

“Yeah.” I whipped my hand through the air. “Look where we’re standing right now. She did all this—questioned my ability to make decisions for myself just so she can keep control of my money. And you’re supporting her instead of me when youknowhow wrong this is.”

My mom tugged away from me and headed toward the courtroom. “Don’t even bother trying to talk to your sister. She isn’t in a state where she can be reasonable. Hopefully, the judge will see that.”

“Let them go,” Ryland suggested as he joined us. “Your mother will soon be shown that she’s the unreasonable one when they call us in for your hearing.”

We didn’t have to wait long before my name was called. Ryland guided me to a table in the front and indicated that Dean should sit in the row behind me, where he was joined by his parents, aunts, and uncles. Everyone else claimed seats in the rows farther back, filling my side of the courtroom while the space behind my mom and sister remained empty.

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