Page 37 of Their Wanted Bride (Bridgewater Brides 1)

“Good.” Caleb took my hand and brought it to his lips. I wished I could kiss him and Justin both, but it was neither the time nor the place. “We’ll get everything taken care of.”

“How?” I lowered my head and tried to keep the tears at bay. “I did steal Prince.”

“Wait and see,” Justin whispered mysteriously.

“Order in the court! All rise for the honorable

Judge Wentworth Gilbert.”

We sat when the judge nodded. After a moment, he said, “There’s some irregularity in this trial, so I’m going to sum up what I’ve just been told.”

“Your honor, I object!” Nathan shouted. “This is—”

“This is my courtroom,” Judge Gilbert announced. “Sit down, Mr. Bergman.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and glanced at my husbands for support. Both wore pleased smiles, but that made no sense. As far as I could tell, there wasn’t anything to smile about. I wanted to ask what they planned, yet I couldn’t risk annoying Judge Gilbert.

Judge Gilbert looked up at me and frowned. “Baby girl, what happened to your face?”

“The bounty hunters Mr. Bergman sent after her, your honor,” Sheriff Jameson called from the back. “I already have them in custody.”

“Good. I’ll deal with them later.” He shuffled paper into a stack, then looked up. “Mr. Fuller has produced documentation regarding Madelaine O’Connor Mathis. She is indeed married to the gentleman sitting next to her.” Giving me a smile, he nodded. “I also have her late father’s will before me.”

Nathan slammed his fist on the table in front of him. “Why are we discussing this? Madelaine stole that horse from me.”

“Be silent before I hold you in contempt!”

Leaning back in his chair, Nathan stewed, shooting me a virulent glare. I shivered at the hate in his eyes.

“As I was saying, on page nine, paragraph six, subsection two, the late Dr. O’Connor’s will stipulates all gifts given to Maddy before her eighteenth birthday belong to her in their entirety. Since I know perfectly well her stallion sired two of my best horses before then, there is no question Prince’s ownership is solely hers.”

Nathan’s face turned red with fury and he stood, pounding on the table once more. “Your honor—”

“Mr. Bergman, do not push me. You are a single word away from a contempt charge, and you’ll be lucky if Maddy’s husband doesn’t have you charged with false imprisonment. Prince was sold to you illegally. If you want your money back, take it up with the woman who sold what didn’t belong to her.”

“I have the receipt for his purchase, along with his pedigree,” I said, shooting a satisfied glare at Nathan. I wished I’d read that will closer, but I’d been so despondent over losing Daddy, I hadn’t had the heart for it. Then again, if I’d read it, I’d have told Celeste and Nathan to go hang and wouldn’t have met my husbands.

Ann’s words about being glad she hadn’t escaped made a lot more sense now.

My thoughts drifted to what would happen with Caleb and Justin after Judge Gilbert finished with us. Shaking my head, I tried to focus and dispel the sudden surge of heat lighting up my cheeks. I ached for their touch and my pussy grew wet and clenched with desire.

“That won’t be necessary.” The judge smiled at me, then turned his gaze on Caleb. “Now, if I was a proper husband to our sweet girl, I’d be thinking of ways to make the blackguard across the courtroom sorry for his actions. I recommend against it unless you’re sure you won’t get caught.”

“Thank you for the advice, your honor.”

“No charge. As I was saying, we have another issue regarding this will. Now that Miss Maddy is rightfully married, ownership of the late Dr. O’Connor’s property is yours and Maddy’s held jointly in its entirety.”

My breath caught and I looked down at my hands. That was it. My secret was out. I didn’t want to see the expression on my husbands’ faces and hunched my shoulders against what was sure to come. To my shock, Justin took my hand, hiding the motion under the table. “It’s all going to be fine, love. We’ll be fine.”

His whispered words calmed my racing heart, but I didn’t dare look at Caleb.

“Thank you, your honor. We’ll decide what to do with the property in due time.”

“Would that include bringing Maddy back to us?”

“If that’s what she wants, yes sir,” Caleb replied, his voice calm and soothing.

“Fair enough.” He banged his gavel, then said, “This session is adjourned. All charges against Madelaine Mathis are dropped.”

---