LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Thirty

Three days later...

Kate couldn't control the way her body trembled with extreme anxiety.

Standing for the judge's ruling on her request for sole custody of Caleb, she was grateful the proceedings were closed. Brian was appearing in criminal court on the other side of the courthouse.

For trying to kill Josh.

For longer than Kate had known him, Brian had owned guns. It wasn't unusual in Oklahoma. Everyone she knew owned guns for hunting or protection.

One handgun was his favorite because of the weight. He cleaned it regularly, went to the range at least twice a month, and was an excellent shot.

A year before their divorce, he got a concealed carry permit and kept it in his SUV at all times.

Her ex-husband left her parents' house, drove at breakneck speed across town, parked on the side of the road, and removed the gun from his console.

He used the hood of his SUV to steady his hand as he watched his intended victim move up and down the rows of his field. Brian waited until Josh's tractor circled in the direction of the road.

Then he pulled the trigger, aiming for the center of Josh's chest, intent on killing him. Capable of making it happen.

The tractor hitting a dip in the dirt saved Josh's life.

The deep rut from tractor wheels after rain dropped his body low enough for the bullet to catch him in the shoulder instead of the heart.

Brian knew right away it hadn't been a kill shot. During his confession, he told officers that he figured the pain he'd caused his rival would be enough to scare him off.

He didn't appear to have given thought to what would happen after he shot the rancher he irrationally blamed for his problems.

So far, Brian showed no remorse for what he'd done.

The hospital staff kept Kate up to date on how Josh was doing - against all protocols - but she didn't have the courage to visit him.

How could she face him after what Brian did?

When she imagined his family's possible reaction to her presence, she could barely contain her shame and grief.

As her mind raced, she slowly leaned forward to brace herself on the table.

Roberta reached out to take her hand. "Steady. It's almost over. Steady, Kate."

The judge looked up from the papers in front of her and nodded. "Everything is in order. Kate Washington, you are granted sole custody of your son, Caleb Deltona. I am temporarily suspending all parental rights of Brian Deltona pending his criminal trial for attempted murder. Court is adjourned."

The bang of the gavel startled a small scream from Kate and then she broke down. Roberta gathered her in a hug.

"Miss Washington?" Kate turned to look at the judge. "Off the record, I highly recommend counseling for yourself and your son. Get ahead of the trauma before it sinks its claws too deep. Alright?"

"Yes." Wiping her face, Kate nodded. "Thank you, Your Honor."

Roberta and Meg stood on either side of her as they exited the courtroom into the wide corridor.

Josh's sisters stood from a bench across the hall and Kate's heart clenched painfully hard as they approached. Her mind ran wild with what might happen next.

Jasmine took Kate's hands. "We've just come from the arraignment. We saw your siblings and they told us you were here."

"I-I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."

She carefully gathered Kate into a hug and said gently, "I know you feel responsible for what happened but all of us know better."

"The field hands told us how you helped," Julia offered. "Your quick thinking saved Josh's life."

Jessica put her hand on Kate's shoulder. "It could have as easily been you or your son. Josh would never have traded his safety for yours."

Jeanette nodded. "Exactly. He'll tell you the same thing he's been telling us: he could have died but he didn't and now you and Caleb will be safe because he's openly dangerous."

With a wink, Jasmine told her, "Before you wonder if our parents feel differently...they don't. Dad is at Josh's place helping rake the alfalfa and Mom is at the hospital."

Exhaling slowly, Kate whispered, "I love him. I was so scared. I didn't get there fast enough."

Jasmine held her shoulders and said firmly, "If you'd gotten there to stop that shot from being fired, it might have been fatal to you. The wound will heal, the pain will fade, and both of you are alive to see what happens next."

"Stop avoiding his room," Jessica ordered. "We know the whole floor is keeping tabs on him for you. Josh asks about you every five minutes. Go see him and put his mind at ease. It's all going to be okay, Kate."

Twisting her fingers together, she told them, "Thank you all for-for coming to talk to me."

"Of course," Jasmine replied. "After all, we figure one day you'll be our sister." Kate blushed and wondered if things would ever be normal again. "We have to keep things right and tight. Put your mind at ease so y'all can get on with it."

Their group walked to the courthouse exit and Krista ran up to meet them. "Everything good?"

Nodding, Kate told her, "I was granted full custody. Brian's parental rights are suspended pending the outcome of his criminal trial."

Kyle joined them on the steps. "I think he had a psychotic break or something. You should have seen him at his arraignment. Acted like he was there for a parking ticket. I've never seen anything so bizarre."

Krista scoffed. "Not bizarre at all. He's yet another entitled man who thinks whatever he did to get what he wanted was justified. He threw a tantrum with a fucking gun."

"Amen." Jessica held up her fist and Krista bumped it.

"Mom took Caleb with her to work. You know the girls love it when he visits." Kyle wrapped his arm around Kate's shoulders. "Let's all get lunch and give you some normalcy for a couple of hours."

"I'd like that."

A few minutes later, she climbed in the back of Roberta's Lexus and they followed the other two cars out of the parking lot. As they turned on the main road, Kate saw Brian being escorted from the building in cuffs.

The officer held the top of his head as he went to get in the backseat when Brian noticed her. He resisted getting in the patrol car and started screaming her name.

They were too far away for Roberta or Meg to hear. Kate turned and faced the front without a word.

Brian's wants and feelings were no longer her problem.

© Shayne McClendon