Page 103 of Wrangled Love

“Sure. You can hold him in the car, but while we’re out, he’ll need to stay in your backpack, sound good?”

“He won’t mind,” Caleb exclaims.

I stand as he rushes out of the room. Watching him find his voice and express himself has been a privilege. He’s grown so much since the start of the summer, and every day brings new adventures and discoveries about his personality.

I turn back to Jensen. “You ready for this?”

“I’ve been waiting for this day since I met Caleb,” he replies, voice thick with emotion.

Shortly after we arrive at the courthouse, a man in a charcoal-gray three-piece suit approaches us in the hallway. He looks to be in his thirties and carries a briefcase in his left hand. His piercing blue eyes flicker to Jensen, taking in his appearance with a hint of a smile.

Jensen grins when he glances over. “There you are. I was starting to think you might’ve bailed.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with Jensen Harding?” The man observes, gesturing to Jensen’s outfit.

“My dad’s a cowboy now, just like me.” Caleb chimes in proudly with his hands on his hips.

The man’s brows lift. “No kidding? You both look sharp.”

“Caleb wanted to match for our special day,” Jensen tells him before motioning between us. “Briar, this is Dawson, my lawyer. Dawson, meet my Briar.”

I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He shakes my hand, his eyes darting between Jensen and me. “Guess Bluebell gave Jensen more than just a change in scenery.”

“Just helping him find his roots again,” I respond, offering Jensen a knowing smile.

Dawson glances at his watch, and I catch a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. “We’re next on the docket, so it shouldn’t be long now.”

He opens his suit jacket and takes an envelope from the inside pocket, handing it to Jensen. “Didn’t want to steal the spotlight today, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get another chance to give you this.”

Jensen takes the envelope, and I peek over his shoulder as he takes out an invitation. At the top, printed in large, elegant script, it says:The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of Dawson Tate & Reese Taylor.

His eyes widen as he glances over at Dawson “Wait.You’regetting married? Never thought I’d see the day.”

Dawson grins. “Reese graduated law school in May, and we’re finally making it official.”

“Congrats.” Jensen claps him on the back. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, man. I can’t wait to call her my wife,” Dawson says with a spark in his eyes.

Jensen mentioned that Dawson is the top attorney in New York and has a reputation for being ruthless in the courtroom.My first impression is that he’s not someone you’d want to cross. But when Reese’s name comes up, his whole demeanor changes, and it’s clear she means the world to him.

Caleb tugs on Dawson’s pant leg until he looks down at him.

“What’s up, kid?”

“I want to hold the gavel. Can you help me?”

Dawson blinks, caught off guard, his eyes darting to Jensen.

“I showed him some photos of courtrooms, and one had a gavel on the judge’s bench. Now he’s determined to give it a go.”

Dawson chuckles. “You’re in luck, kid. I know the judge handling your case, and I bet he’ll let you hold his gavel and maybe even use it to call the court to order, as long as you listen to your dad while we’re in there.”

Caleb bounces on the balls of his feet, barely holding back his excitement. “I’ll be the best listener ever, right Dad?”

“You bet, buddy,” Jensen says, bending down to ruffle his hair.

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