Page 65 of A Steadfast Heart
How did I ever live like this?
Kaitlyn tried and failed to take a deep breath. In only two months, she’d gotten used to the looser fashions in the West. Her tweed traveling suit with its required corset was strangling her.
Danna coughed, and Merritt wiped watering eyes. Coal smoke from a thousand cookstoves tickled Kaitlyn’s throat. In the four days they’d spent attempting to get an audience with the judge, she hadn’t drawn an easy breath. Neither had her traveling companions.
They passed another crossroad. Businesses jostled each other for their tiny slice of street front. On the other side of the street, grand mansions had large yards. Well, large by city standards. They were nothing close to the wide open ranges in Wyoming.
Thankfully, they only had half a block to go. The sooner this task was finished, the better.
“Those are some fine houses,” Merritt said.
And they make fine prisons. Kaitlyn squeezed her eyes closed. Not every family in St. Louis was like hers. She needed to remember that.
They entered the courthouse, and Kaitlyn’s heels echoed against the mosaic floor. The dome above their heads glowed with warm terra-cotta between ivory ribs. This building dedicated to upholding the law felt like a cathedral. Surely she would finally get justice here.
Danna laid a hand on her shoulder. “Do you have your appearance request?”
Kaitlyn took a deep breath, then brought out the letter from Judge Peterson. “Room 211. Upstairs, I guess.” In a matter of moments, they stood before the door to the judge’s office.
Danna reached to open it, but Merritt rested a hand on her shoulder. “Just a minute, Danna.” She turned to Kaitlyn. “Remember, we’re here for you, no matter what. That’s what family does.”
Family sticks. Drew’s words echoed in Kaitlyn’s memory. Drew. The kids. The brothers. The ranch.
Lord, I only want what’s supposed to be mine so I can help the only real family I’ve ever known. Please help us.
Kaitlyn smiled at Merritt and Danna. “Thank you. I appreciate you both.” Then she opened the door.
The judge sat behind his desk, and Michael stood beside him. His suit was cut to perfection, but he didn’t have the shoulders to fill it out. Not like Drew.
Her stomach roiled. Drew wasn’t here.
She wanted to run all the way back to Wyoming, where a rough cowboy had been the first man to ever make her feel safe.
She squared her shoulders. Drew needed her here.
The judge stood, his black robe flowing to his feet. His expression was serious. “Please, come in. Sit down.”
There were only two chairs in front of the judge’s desk.
Danna stepped beside her. “We’re still here, right behind you,” she said softly. Kaitlyn was aware of her friends’ every move as Danna and Merritt found spots on the bench behind the chairs.
Kaitlyn slipped her hand into her pocket, running her finger over the paper hidden there. Tillie had drawn a picture of the five of them as a family. Kaitlyn stiffened her backbone. She’d come a long way to speak the truth. Michael wouldn’t stop her. She sat in the chair on the left.
Michael sat next to her. His cologne turned her stomach. She focused on the judge. His hair was the color of iron, and his posture was just as unyielding. He gestured to Michael. “Your brother has been telling me some of his concerns.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Michael look her way and smile. “I’ve been so worried about you, sister.”
She ignored her brother and focused on Judge Peterson. “Your Honor, I’m here to claim my inheritance. I’ve married, which meets the requirements?—”
Michael shook his head. “Your Honor, the marriage is under investigation.”
The judge stared at them both, frowning. “I’m going to tell you both how it works in my chambers. You will each have your turn, and you will not interrupt each other. Is that clear?”
“Of course, Your Honor.” Michael’s expression couldn’t have been more sincere, except for the subtle tightening around his eyes.
Kaitlyn nodded. A chill raised the hairs on her arms, and she resisted the urge to rub them. Michael would notice. The judge might, as well.
“Very well.” The judge removed his spectacles and leaned back. “Since the young lady’s argument is straightforward, I want to hear from you, Mr. Montgomery. Why is her marriage under investigation?”
