Page 108 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Darcy’s husband was called to the stand next, and Mr. Grovelandtook him through much the same line of questioning he’d taken with Darcy. His answers made the two of them sound like Couple of the Year. Darcy would stay home with the child as she’d already taken early retirement, and they planned to enroll the child at an elite private school—they’d even brought brochures for the clerk.

By the time Mr.Gordon took his seat, he’d spent half an hour regaling the clerk with details of the wonderful life the Gordons would provide Emma. Except for Darius’s cross-examination, Laurel would’ve almost believed it herself.

Darius asked Glenn to clarify a couple of points and then, at last, it was time for Darius to present Laurel and Gavin’s interest. “I’d like to call Paul Clayton to the stand.” They’d decided to start with their best foot forward—Paul being Emma’s other grandparent.

He proceeded to answer Darius’s question about his and Judy’s close relationship with Emma and the older couple’s unfortunate health situation that preempted them from petitioning for guardianship. Darius saved the best question for last. “Where guardianship of your granddaughter is concerned, what do you think is in Emma’s best interest?”

Paul glanced at Gavin and Laurel. “No doubt in my mind, Gavin and Laurel are the right people for the job. They’re very close to Emma and they love her. My son and his wife knew what was best for their daughter—and they handpicked the Robinsons. They made the very best plan for their child.”

When Darius returned to his seat, the Gordons’ attorney took over. “Mr.Clayton, I’m so sorry for your loss. Can you tell me, do you know my clients, Mr. and Mrs.Gordon, at all?”

“No, sir.”

“Had you even seen them before today?”

“No, I hadn’t.”

He gave a thoughtful nod. “Then how can you be certain the Robinsons are the right people to raise Emma?”

“They—that’s what my son and daughter-in-law wanted.”

“Thank you. That will be all.”

Avery was next. Darius called her to the stand, and she was sworn in. Darius proceeded to pepper her with questions that explored her professional relationship with Emma and her familial relationship with Gavin. Avery came across as professional, objective, and confident that Gavin and Laurel would be the best guardians for Emma. And she made sure it was clear that Emma had the love and support of the entire Robinson clan.

Opposing counsel asked Avery the same two questions he’d asked Paul.

All right, you’ve made your point.Laurel gritted her teeth. She hoped the clerk wouldn’t forget the most important detail of all: Darcy and her husband had no relationship with Emma.

Gavin was called next. They’d decided to save Laurel for last since she had the closest relationship with Emma. Darius asked Gavin to describe his relationship with Mike, Mallory, and Emma, and explain how he and Laurel planned to care for Emma in the future. He painted a glowing picture of what her life would look like.

When Darius was finished, surprisingly, Mr.Groveland had no questions for Gavin.

Laurel traded smiles with her ex-husband as he returned to his seat. He’d done well, and she was optimistic about how the hearing was going.

“I’d like to call Laurel Robinson to the stand,” Darius said.

Darius’s poised expression buoyed her confidence as she stood on shaky legs and made her way to the stand where she was sworn in.

“Ms.Robinson,” Darius said, “you and Mr.Robinson were named guardians in the will of the deceased. Can you tell us about your relationship with the couple?”

“Mallory and I had been best friends since elementary school. She was as close to me as a sister—even when we lived in Asheville, we kept in close contact. When she and Mike married, we became couple-friends. We were very close.”

“So you and Emma had a relationship as well?”

“Of course. I was at the hospital when she was born. I saw her every month at least. When Mallory and Mike took an anniversary trip recently, I came to stay with Emma for two nights. I know her routines and what her favorite movie is and which stuffed animal she can’t sleep without.”

Darius gave her an encouraging smile. “Can you tell me how you and Mr.Robinson plan to care for Emma? Support her?”

“Well, as Gavin mentioned, we feel it’s best to keep her routine as normal as possible. I’ll continue to stay home with her and run Harvest Moon—the apple orchard Mike and Mallory started.” She glanced at the clerk. “I’m a horticulturist by trade. As for the trauma she’s been through, we’re seeking help for her. She’s already begun play therapy with a well-respected psychologist in Asheville. Gavin and I have also been consulting with her. We’ll continue to make Emma’s care our number-one priority.”

“As you know, a shared guardianship would be an unusual situation. Can you tell me why you feel this arrangement would be in Emma’s best interest?”

“Of course. Either one of us would be happy to be Emma’s sole guardian. But we feel it would be ideal for Emma to haveboth mother and father figures in her life. Gavin and I work well together. We’re on friendly terms. This past month, we’ve come together and given Emma a stable, nurturing environment. We’ve kept to her routines, and we’ll continue to do so.”

“Very good. To sum things up, can you tell us why you feel you and Mr.Robinson are best suited to be Emma’s guardians?”

“First of all, we love her very much, and we have an ongoing relationship with her. She knows us and she loves us too. We’re willing and able to put her first. But also, Mallory and Mike obviously felt that way too—that’s why they asked us to be her guardians in the first place. In the event that some tragedy took them both, they wantedusto raise their daughter, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

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