Page 22 of All Autumn
She giggled. “Tell me I didn’t do that.”
“Nope, you did it, all right.”
“Next time you want to make an objection,” Jed whispered, “might be best to let me do it.”
“That’s my first and last time doing that,” Autumn assured him.
Judge Padgett banged his gavel again, getting a quiet courtroom. He turned in his seat to face Brian. “Mr. Stratton, the court orders you not to refer to Mrs. Stratton as your wife from here on out.”
“Can I object to that, Judge?” Brian said.
I rolled my eyes. What an idiot.
“No, you cannot.” He nodded at Macon Prescott. “You may continue.”
Macon glanced over at our table, and I was pretty sure his heart wasn’t in this case. Adam and I had built him a log house, and I’d gotten to know him. He was one of the good guys.
He walked to the witness box, standing to the side, giving everyone a clear view of Brian. “Mr. Stratton, did Mr. Hunter or Mrs. Stratton steal anything that belonged to you?”
“Well, no, but they—”
“Did they damage any property?”
Brian’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your point?”
“Please answer the question, Mr. Stratton.”
“No, but—”
“Would you have given Mrs. Stratton her sample case if she’d asked you for it?”
Silence.
“Mr. Stratton?”
“Why should I have when she kicked me out?”
“She kicked you out ’cause you’re a cheater,” Mary said, and not in a quiet voice.
“Cain’t abide cheaters,” Granny hollered. She was half-deaf and tended to yell. “Nary a one of my six husbands cheated.”
“Paula Sue’s pa used to look at Mirna Lawson’s boobies,” Hamburger said.
Granny snorted. “Cain’t blame a man for looking when a hussy shows off her ankles and her titties ’bout fall out the top of her dress.” This was, of course, shouted, and giggles and laughter filled the room.
Paula Sue was Hamburger’s half-sister, long dead now, along with Granny’s six husbands. I had no idea who Mirna Lawson was. I glanced over my shoulder. Dylan was pinching the bridge of his nose, his eyes squeezed shut and his lips quivering. My twin was mimicking him. Next to Dylan, Jenn had her face buried against Dylan’s arm, her shoulders shaking.
Autumn was doing a head-desk thing, her shoulders also shaking. Jed was as rigid as a stone, staring straight ahead. I got the impression that if he moved an inch, he would lose it.
Judge Padgett was in the middle of a coughing fit with tears rolling down his cheeks. Macon Prescott, still standing near the witness box, seemed to be attempting to bite off his thumb. The bailiff was bent over, slapping his knee as laughter poured out of him.
Any Blue Ridge Valley resident not here today would hear about the proceedings within minutes of court being adjourned. That was how small towns worked. Every single person missing this trial, when repeating the story, would swear they were sitting in the courtroom and were telling the tale firsthand.
I absolutely loved my town. Brian seemed to be the only one not amused. He sat in the witness box, scowling, his attention fixed on Autumn. I wanted to poke out his eyes just for looking at her.
“To the bestattorney in the world,” Autumn said, raising her champagne glass.
I raised mine, clinking it against Jed’s. “Hear, hear.” We were celebrating in the lounge at Fusions with Jed, Adam, Dylan, and Jenn. Fusions was the only other restaurant in town besides Vincennes with a decent lounge. It was our go-to place for a beer because Jenn worked at Vincennes, so hanging out there felt like going back to work for her.
