Page 39 of Better Together

Remi slapped a hand over his mouth, halting his doubts. “Stop right there. You can do this. Get it together, Walker.”

Colt nodded, and she slowly removed her hand. He let out a defeated sigh. The guy was eaten up with worry.

“Let’s pray. I think you need it,” Remi said.

Colt nodded and bowed his head as she began.

“Father, Colt is losing his mind, and he could really use some assurance right now. I keep telling him he can do this, but he’s not listening.”

Colt cleared his throat, silently asking that she quit poking at him and get on with the prayer he really needed.

“Please go with us into the meeting. Help him to know what to say, and allow Janet to see his heart. Amen.”

Colt blew out a breath. “Thanks. If I could just calm down, I’d be fine.”

“I know. It’ll be over soon, and we can take the kids out for ice cream.” A double scoop of Rocky Road sounded amazing. She also needed to figure out Ben and Abby’s favorite flavors.

“Mr. Walker.”

Janet stood in the entrance to the hallway, beckoning them toward her office.

“It’s good to see you again too, Miss Taylor.”

“It’s good to see you too, Miss Brighton.” Though Remi was already struggling to hold back chuckles. Was there a chance Janet’s hair was taller this morning than it had been yesterday evening?

They followed Janet into her office and sat in the same seats as before.

“Good news. I’ve already heard from Judge Weathington, and he’ll hear your case tomorrow morning.”

Colt sat forward in his chair. “That soon?”

“The court has seventy-two hours to set hearings for guardianship cases. It’s important to get these things settled quickly so the children will have an adult to make decisions on their behalf.”

“Right. That makes sense. So, they’ll legally be mine by tomorrow?”

“For now. Guardianship is a quick process, but if you choose to adopt, those proceedings take much longer.”

Remi looked at Colt who looked back at her. Guardianship and adoption sounded to her like they could be interchangeable, but apparently there was a difference. She’d ask Camille when she arrived later today. They’d called her first thing this morning, and she’d agreed to represent Colt and the kids.

Remi placed her hand on Janet’s desk. “A friend of ours has agreed to represent Colt in the custody suit.”

“That’s good. I always recommend hiring an attorney. They’re more versed in the process. Can you give me their contact information? I’ll let them know about the hearing.”

Colt read off the phone number, and Janet keyed it into her electronic file. “That should be all I need. Now, tell me about your living situation.”

Colt rubbed his palms over his jeans. “Well, I work at Wolf Creek Ranch. I’m a wrangler.”

“Are your hours full-time or part-time?” Janet asked.

“Full-time. We’re about to come into the off-season, so my hours won’t be as long as in the tourist season.”

“Right. Have you thought about childcare?”

Colt tensed beside her. “My boss has agreed to help out with that.”

“So, your employer will babysit? Or will work around your childcare needs?”

“Um, both?” Colt wiggled in his seat, and urgency rose in Remi’s middle. These were all the things Colt was struggling to get lined up, and she could feel his anxiety climbing.

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