“The judge will hear initial arguments from both parties. There are no juries in probate cases, so it will just be the judge making the ruling.”
I gave a small nod. “The judge we got, what do you think?”
Crosby came to a stop outside a courtroom. “He’s tough but fair. Judge Moore is on the conservative side, so he might lean in the Abbots’ favor, but he has no tolerance for drama. If Grant or his lawyer pushes him or acts out, he’ll slap them down.”
I silently wished for Grant to lose it. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d pitched a fit when he didn’t get his way. “Okay. Do you think they’ll call me to the stand?”
Crosby rubbed a hand up and down my back, the warmth and comfort of the movement seeping into my bones. “I don’t think so, but you never know. Just stay calm and tell the truth.”
I nodded just as the large, wooden doors to the courtroom opened. My stomach pitched. There was no sign of anyone on the Abbots’ side of the room, yet that only amped up the adrenaline running through my system. Crosby ushered me forward, keeping a hand on the small of my back. He motioned for the rest of the crew and me to sit on a bench behind the little fence that separated the onlookers from the lawyers, judge, and the other staff.
Ford, Bell, and Caelyn slid into the front row, but I found myself not wanting to leave the warmth of Crosby’s presence. I gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Good luck.”
He winked. “You know I don’t need luck, darlin’.”
I scowled at him. “Don’t call me that. I have a name.” But inside, I was fighting back a laugh. The man was trying to piss me off so I’d forget about being worried and find my mad.
“All right. Brown Eyes, it is.”
I gave my head a little shake and took a seat next to Caelyn, who immediately grabbed my hand. I was grateful for the reassurance. To not be sitting alone in the courtroom. The sound of shoes on the tile floor had me straightening in my seat.
Grant gave a snort of derision as he passed with his lawyer. “She’ll be out of The Gables in no time.”
Caelyn gripped my hand harder at his words. I kept my gaze focused straight ahead, pretending that I couldn’t hear or see him. But it didn’t stop the anxiety that took root in my stomach. Crosby had warned me the judge might require me to leave my home while the trial was underway. Where I’d go if that happened, I had no idea.
“All rise.” A bailiff’s voice cut through the murmurs in the room, and I rose on instinct. This time, I couldn’t help it when my gaze drifted to the other side of the room, to the person trying to take my safe place away from me. Grant stared right at me. I couldn’t decipher what it was I saw in his expression. Part pity, part disdain likely. But whatever it was, it sent a shiver down my spine.
As I turned away from Grant’s cold glare, I caught sight of the Abbots’ lawyer. I wanted to laugh at the incestuous nature of it all. Ben Hotchkiss was none other than Lacey’s father. I wondered if my high school boyfriend’s side piece would show up in court. Maybe she’d get her claws into Grant, after all.
I shifted my focus to the judge, a man who looked to be in his fifties with salt-and-pepper hair. His gaze held shrewdness as he studied the people before him. I only hoped that meant he could see the truth.
The opening remarks came and went, and once Crosby and Ben Hotchkiss got into the details of the case, I began to lose some of my understanding of what they were saying. The terminology sounded like an entirely different language. Grant sat at the table with their attorney but did none of the speaking, simply whispered in Ben’s ear.
“All right,” Judge Moore said. “I think I’ve heard enough for today. Mr. Hotchkiss, are you ready to proceed with the trial?”
“Yes, your honor. We wish to move through this process as quickly as possible.”
The judge nodded. “What about you, Mr. McCoy?”
“We’re ready, your honor.”
“Good. I’m placing you on the docket for next week. Any arguments?” Judge Moore lifted his gaze to meet Crosby’s and Ben’s. Neither said anything.
“We need to make a motion to have Kenna removed from The Gables during the trial and have a freeze placed on the trust.”
Grant whisper-hissed the words to Hotchkiss, but the judge didn’t miss a thing. “No talking out of turn in my courtroom.”
Caelyn stifled a giggle next to me, and I squeezed her hand hard. I didn’t want the man’s attention focused over here. But that’s precisely what happened. Judge Moore turned his eyes to me. “Ms. Morgan, you are currently living in the guest quarters, correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” My voice was steady, even though my hands trembled.
“I’m ruling that Ms. Morgan may stay on the property. There will be no removal of any of the belongings in the main house or any of the outbuildings. If you need to access the trust for any repairs or insurance payments, those will have to be approved by the court.”
Air rushed into my lungs as I took the first breath since the judge’s gaze had zeroed in on me. “Thank you, sir.”
Grant mumbled a complaint to Hotchkiss, but it was low enough that the rest of us couldn’t hear, and the judge chose to ignore it.
“Court is adjourned.” Judge Moore rose and headed for his private entrance.
Caelyn wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “That was good, right? I mean, it would’ve been better if he had kicked those greedy buggers to the curb, but at least you don’t have to find a new place to live.”
“It’s good.” I looked up at Crosby, who had turned to face us. “Right?”
He nodded, his lawyer expression still in place. “It’s a good start.”
My muscles eased a fraction. “Let’s get out of here. I need to try and make it into the office this afternoon.”
Bell reached out and grabbed my shoulder. “Haven’t you earned an afternoon off?”
I wished. But Chris was already pissed that I’d taken this morning off with less than a week’s notice. “I can’t. Too much to do.” I pushed to my feet, turning to step into the aisle, and stopped dead as I came face-to-face with Grant.
“You’re making a mistake, Kenna. I think I could convince my parents to still give you a settlement if you sign over The Gables. You were never stupid. You have to know that if you fight this, you’ll end up with nothing.”
Bell scoffed, and my spine straightened. “I would never go against Harriet’s wishes for her home.”
Grant’s eyes narrowed. “You mean my grandmother? The one you manipulated? I tried to keep this from getting ugly, but you never listen. You’re giving us no choice.”
“Watch what you say, Grant. You’re dangerously close to making a threat in front of multiple witnesses.” Crosby’s voice held a tone that I’d never heard from him before. Low, menacing, one that had chill bumps rising on my skin.
Grant glared at Crosby. “It’s not a threat. It’s the truth. She’ll be ruined when my family’s done with her.”
And just like that, I remembered precisely whom I was fighting with. I wasn’t sure there was anything I could do that would allow me to win against these people.