Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Next, Tim comes out with a pan of mac and cheese, Mandy with the biscuits, and my dad with the collards. Landon and Mason follow, one with a bowl of white gravy and the other with hot vinegar sauce for the greens.
The food is set along the center of the table, and everyone moves back and forth through the kitchen, grabbing their own drinks. Lastly, my mom comes out after checking to make sure nothing’s been left behind. As everyone takes their chairs with no particular hierarchy of where we sit, Mom fusses with the placement of all the bowls and ensures each dish has a spoon.
When we’re all settled in our seats, there’s no passing of the food because the platters and bowls are just too heavy. Instead, plates are passed back and forth across the table and whoever is nearest the fried chicken uses the tongs to fulfill the request. Whoever is nearest the mac and cheese will dollop out a scoop and hand the plate off to someone else.
It’s disorganized and chaotic and utterly perfect as we all laugh and chatter at the same time.
Leo’s engaged with Landon about Gran Turismo and as I watch them, I’m still peeved about his assertion that Foster will try to take advantage of the situation. It’s preposterous for him to assume that without even knowing the guy.
Except… I don’t know him either.
But that’s beside the point. The Hamberlys vetted Foster, just as he vetted me. He’s an upstanding guy with the backing of Brienne Norcross. We didn’t talk long but I got no weird vibes from him. I had more concerns about the other father.
I made a good choice and I’m irritated that Leo is making me doubt it.
What does he know anyway? Ludicrous assertions about guys tripping over themselves to be near me. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be twenty-seven and solidly single. For all the supposed men attracted to me, I haven’t even been invited on a date in… well, I don’t know how long. There’s nothing special about me that lures men to my doorstep.
Leo’s lost his mind.
CHAPTER 6
Foster
Given the emergency nature of our custody dispute and the parties living on opposite sides of the United States, the Allegheny judge assigned to the case set up the hearing to be held via Zoom. This is apparently done in many court cases for expediency and to save on travel.
I’m sitting in a conference room at my attorney’s office. Brienne had me hire Jared Cole because he’s made quite the reputation for himself by championing single dads seeking full custody. The historical stereotype that only mothers can care for their kids is quite the barrier to many men and Jared, a single dad himself, is ruthlessly dedicated to the cause.
However, he doesn’t just take any case. He actually vetted me when I first called him, as he wanted to make sure I was the best choice for Bowie Jane in these particular circumstances. I respect that.
We’re sitting side by side, his laptop before us, and the Zoom session initiated. He’s chosen to keep the camera and sound off until the judge enters, so we don’t have to stare awkwardly at Sandra and her attorney, an older man with a bow tie and black-rimmed glasses.
Unlike us, they’ve kept their camera on, and even with their sound muted, it’s clear Sandra is peeved to be sitting here. She keeps checking her watch and while I can’t hear what she says, there’s irritation on her face when she asks her attorney something. She doesn’t seem to like his answer either.
Then she looks off camera and says something, and to my surprise, I see Chet lean in to kiss her cheek. He says something that seems to reassure her as her expression turns bland.
“And that’s why we keep the camera off,” Jared says with a chuckle. “We know that Sandra’s already on edge.”
My attorney has me well prepped so when the Honorable Hoyt Templeton joins the meeting, along with his clerk, I know my role is to sit back and keep my mouth shut unless Jared specifically tells me to talk. I also know to keep a neutral expression and my hands clasped on the table, the perfect picture of calm maturity.
“I want to thank you all for being here.” The judge, with his charcoal-gray hair and trim beard, glances down at his desk, then up again. “I’ve read the father’s, Foster McInnis, petition for custody as well as the mother’s, Sandra Tanner, response and I believe I understand the issues before us.” Jared had me read over the petition before he filed it and it’s a good piece of reading. He was succinct in laying out my concerns with Sandra, something he assured me that this judge appreciates. He wasn’t big on drama or overreaching. “Do either of the parties wish to add anything?”