Chapter Twenty-Nine
Brandt truly hated shirts with collars. They always rubbed weird on his birthmark and made him feel bizarrely vulnerable, like he was presenting himself naked for someone else’s judgment. The last few years, the only real wear this shirt had seen was to funerals, and he was already counting down until this thing was over and he could take it off.
But not yet.
Now was the time to stand up straight next to Cameron as the clerk called their case. They’d filed a formal petition for sole custody, and this hearing to request a temporary order was the first step in the court case. He’d really wanted to avoid the court altogether, but that sheer panic he’d felt when Shelby had first shown up had changed his mind in a hurry. He needed something in writing, but that meant trusting that the court wouldn’t screw any of them over. Brandt’s inner kid had no such faith and kept looking at the doorway to the small courtroom.
The judge in her black robe strode to her seat at the front of the room, under a large state seal. She was younger than Brandt had expected, maybe only a couple of years older than Cameron. She motioned for everyone to take their seats before banging her gavel. The judge listened intently as Cameron laid out their request. Cameron had said that he should let her do most of the talking, and that was trust too, letting someone else speak for him, trusting lawyer-speak to actually work for once.
“In sum, your honor, petitioner has had sole physical care of the infant for over a month. During that time, there was no communication with the respondent, who was out of the country.” Cameron was good at laying out the facts, but Brandt had to glance over at Shelby, who sat alone at the other front table, purse in front of her. He wanted this settled, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have sympathy for her. She stared straight ahead, expression so neutral as to almost be vacant. And she didn’t flinch as Cameron continued, “She is a substantial flight risk, and as such, we’re requesting the temporary order be granted today.”
“Ms. Travis.” The judge turned her head toward Shelby. “Do you have counsel?”
“A lawyer? No.” She shot a sour look at Cameron.
“Do you require additional time to retain counsel to assist you?”
“I don’t want a lawyer.” Shelby’s chin jutted out, a lot like Shane’s when he got stubborn.
“All right. Did you review the petition and parenting plan submitted by Mr. Wilder?” the judge asked.
Shelby nodded.
“We need you to speak up for the record, please.”
“Yes. I read it.” Her voice was faint, and the judge leaned forward like she was trying to avoid making Shelby repeat herself.
“And you understand that Mr. Wilder is requesting sole physical and legal custody of the child? This order will be reviewed at the formal hearing for permanent custody, but an order today determines with whom the child will reside until that hearing takes place.”
“I understand.” Shelby swallowed audibly, and a dull pounding started in Brandt’s temples. It was impossible to get a read on her tone of voice. He glanced over at Shane, who was similarly impassive, hands tightly clenched in his lap. Brandt wished he knew what Shelby and Shane had talked about, but there hadn’t been time for anything more than a whispered “I tried” from Shane as they had entered the courtroom.
“Do you object to the petition?” The judge was all business, but not unkind. Hard to get a read on her too.
Shelby shook her head and fiddled with her purse strap.
“I’m going to need you to say it aloud. Do you have any objection to the court granting this order?”
There was a very long pause during which Brandt held his breath until Shelby finally spoke. “I guess not.”
“You guess.” The judge frowned. “Do you plan to contest the petition for permanent custody?”
“Probably not.” Shelby’s sigh echoed through the small courtroom.
“Ms. Travis, I’m going to need some decisiveness from you. Is there anything the court should know about Mr. Wilder’s petition? Or his fitness as a parent? This is your chance to provide any relevant information to the court including anything about your relationship and/or your personal safety.”
Brandt’s spine tensed, vertebrae by vertebrae until his back was stiff as a two by four. This was probably where Shelby would reveal his connection to Shane and whatever other complaints she had.
“We don’t have a relationship.” A pink flush spread across her cheeks. “And I hear he’s a good dad.”
“Are you in agreement that Mr. Wilder’s petition and parenting plan is in the best interests of the child? If you disagree with any part of the petition, the court may order mediation. The court can also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the child.” The judge’s eyes narrowed.
Cameron had told him that the court appointing an attorney for the baby was a possibility, but Brandt still hated the idea of more investigation and more oversight. He had to remind himself that the judge was simply trying to make things clear to Shelby, especially since she wasn’t being definite in her responses.
The judge tapped the top of her bench before continuing. “If you don’t contest the petition, the court can grant the order and fast-track the case for a hearing on the permanent order.”
There was another lengthy pause from Shelby as she studied her nails before raising her head. “I’m not going to object. I’m not... I don’t really want to parent. This is the right thing to do.”
“All right. The court finds all parties in agreement with the petition for a temporary custody order. The order is hereby granted. The hearing for the permanent order will be set...” The judge continued to go over the logistics, but all Brandt could hear was granted.
Relief. Not happiness and not joy, but relief rushed through him. It was hard to be happy about the situation, and putting Shelby through this had left a caustic taste in his mouth, but his baby was safe. My daughter. That was what mattered. And he was going to do everything in his power to keep her that way.
“We can leave now.” Cameron touched his shoulder as everyone stood.
It was over. He patted Jewel, who had slept through the entire thing. Shane still had the baby gear, but he juggled it so that he too could place a hand on the sling.
“Well. That’s done.” Nodding, Shane followed the rest of them out of the courtroom. But once they were in the hall, Shane’s mouth tightened further. “Be right back.”
He hurried away, and Brandt wasn’t too surprised when Shane caught up to Shelby. But the fierceness of their hug, now that was unexpected, as were the tears in Shane’s eyes. He was whispering something to her, and she nodded as she clung to him.