Page 109 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Darius gave her a nod. “Thank you, Ms.Robinson.”

Laurel expelled a silent breath.

“I have some questions for the witness.” Mr.Groveland rose from his seat and aimed a smile Laurel’s way. “I’m sorry for the loss of your friends, Ms.Robinson.”

That anchorman smile, if not his position as opposing counsel, put her on guard. “Thank you.”

“Could you tell the court how long you and Mr.Robinson were married?”

“Five years.”

“And how long have you been divorced?”

“Three years.”

“And how often have you met up with Mr.Robinson since the divorce?”

Laurel blinked.

Darius’s chair scraped as he stood. “Your Honor, I don’t see how this is relevant.”

The clerk pushed his glasses into place. “I’ll allow it.”

“How often have you been in contact with your ex-husband since the divorce.”

Laurel swallowed. “We haven’t been in contact.”

Mr.Groveland’s forehead furrowed. “I’m sorry, I just thought—you made it seem as if you were still friends.”

Darius stood. “Your Honor, does Mr.Groveland have a question for my client?”

“I apologize. Let me rephrase. Ms.Robinson, if you had no contact with Mr.Robinson after your divorce, can you tell me how you came to be such good friends?”

Laurel’s eyes locked on Gavin’s face. She needed words. “Um, I hadn’t seen my ex-husband in three years. When we heard what happened to Mike and Mallory we immediately came to care for Emma. We’ve worked well together.”

“So after a bitter divorce and three years of radio silence, the two of you now want to raise a child together?”

“It wasn’t—yes, but...”

“Maybe you’ll even magically fall in love again.”

Darius stood. “Is there a question there, Your Honor?”

“Withdrawn. No further questions, Your Honor.”

“Mr.Walker?” the clerk said.

“No further witnesses, Your Honor.”

Wait.This couldn’t end here. The momentum had shifted. The case had taken a turn in the Gordons’ favor, and it was all her fault. Because of her feeble answers, she and Gavin had come across as the typical embittered exes who’d quibble over who got Emma for Christmas.

But Mr. Groveland was already seating himself behind his table, and closing arguments were about to commence.

“Ms.Robinson,” the clerk said. “You may resume your seat.”

She stood and dismounted the stand, her legs quaking beneath her. Gavin stared at the table, and for the first time since the hearing had started, a frown creased Darius’s brows.

Laurel took her seat, her mind spinning as the closing statements began. Had she blown it? Had she ruined their chances for guardianship? She’d given such lame responses. She could now think of a hundred things she could’ve added. But she’d been caught off guard and she failed Emma, and now the child would likely be raised by that awful woman. An arrow of terror struck her heart, its poison shooting through her veins in a millisecond.

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