Page 64 of Fairy Tale Husband

Peter cleared his throat. “If I may?”

“If you must. Keep it brief, Bryant.”

“Yes, Your Honor. I’d just like to say that boys will be boys.”

Graydon snorted. “Quite insightful of you, Petey. Only these incidents are a little more serious than that.”

“It isn’t just the danger.” Mrs. Marsh spoke up, managing to sound genuinely concerned. “Although, as you say, that’s serious enough. But when you combine it with the problems surrounding Wynne’s marriage, Ijust don’t see how anyone can believe my nephews would be better off with her.”

The judge lifted an eyebrow. “And what problems would those be?” he asked.

Impossibly long lashes swept downward to conceal the expression in her eyes. “Everyone knows their relationship is a sham. He only married her to get his hands on Chesterfield Ranch.” She glanced around as though for support. “Surely it’s no secret. Just as it’s no secret that he’s going to divorce her.” Her tone sharpened. “And once he does, she’ll have no husband, no home, and no viable means of support.”

Graydon frowned. “I’ve never put much credence in gossip, Mrs. Marsh. Nor should you. As far as I know, there’s been no talk of a divorce.”

She smiled smugly. “Yes, there has. In fact, that’s why he isn’t here. He’s getting a divorce even as we speak.”

The courtroom erupted.

“Wait a minute!” the judge shouted. “Quiet!” He banged his gavel until the ruckus died down. Then he fixed a stern gaze on Mrs. Marsh. “Are you telling this court you know where Jake is?”

“I suggest you try Mexico,” she replied, studying her perfectly manicured nails. “Or possibly Haiti. Wherever he can get a quick divorce. Though considering how long he’s been gone, I’d hardly call it quick.”

Judge Graydon switched his attention to Wynne. “Did you know Jake was off getting a divorce?”

“No,” she answered politely. “Because he’s not.”

“Well, now I’m confused. One says he is and the other says he isn’t.” He released a gusty sigh. “Let’s get this sorted out.”

Toward the back of the room, Randolph stood. “Excuse me, Your Honor. May I say something?”

“I don’t believe we need your brand of help, Chesterfield,” the judge retorted.

“I actually planned to speak on Jake’s behalf.” He held up his hands at the hoots of disbelief from the people seated around him. “I know, Iknow. That’s a first for me. But I recently discovered that I’ve been wrong about him, that I’ve accused him of things he never did.” He took a deep breath. “My... my cousin never laid a finger on Evie, despite what I may have told folks in the past. It was just a big misunderstanding. Isaw him drop her off one night, heard her crying, and naturally assumed... Well, the bottom line is, Iwas wrong. Evie tried to explain at the time, but I didn’t believe her. Iguess I wanted to think the worst of Jake. Y’all can probably figure out why.”

“What changed your mind?” Wynne asked.

“You did,” he confessed. “And Evie. The way you both defended him. After dinner last week my wife got rather vocal on the subject. It was enough to make me stop and listen.” He folded his arms across his chest, reminding her vividly of Jake. “I guess what I’m sayin’ is, I’m not willing to jump to any more conclusions about the man. If Wynne says he’s not divorcing her, Jake will have to say different before I’ll believe it.” And with that, he satdown.

“Nice speech,” Judge Graydon approved. “But that doesn’t change the fact that Jake isn’t here and we have conflicting reports regarding his intentions. Wynne, Ihate to ask this, but what exactly did he say to you before he left?”

“Do I have to answer that?” she whispered.

“I’m afraid so, my dear.”

“He said...” She clasped her hands together, searching again for a ring that wasn’t there. Taking a deep breath, she confessed, “He said that he didn’t have any choice. He was going to settle the issue of our marriage once and for all.”

A shocked murmur rippled through theroom.

“And that didn’t suggest to you that Jake is planning a divorce?” Judge Graydon questioned gently.

She shook her head, astubborn light leaping to her eyes. “I trust Jake. He wouldn’t do that to me. He knows I need a husband if I’m to keep the children.”

A man in the back of the courtroom stood, twisting his Stetson between his hands. “Excuse me, Judge. But if all she needs is a husband, I’ll volunteer. And I wouldn’t marry her and then change my mind after the fact, neither.”

“Kind of you to offer, Wendall,” Graydon began. “But—”

Another man stood. “I wouldn’t object to having a wife like Miz Hondo. If Jake don’t come through, I’m willing to offer for her.”

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