“This whole thing is outrageous to begin with. I can’t believe any sane judge would take our children away based on such flimsy charges.” He had come up behind her and took the brush out of her hands. They were both silent as Nate ran the brush through the silky strands.
Angel leaned her head back, and their gazes locked. “I’m ready to run if you are.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her. Her smell, touch, and warmth filled him with desire. Not for lovemaking, but for the peace and contentment she showered on those she loved.
How cold my life was before my Angel.
As the buggy entered the main street of town, Angel wondered if maybe they shouldn’t all make a run for it. Then she dismissed the idea. A life on the run with the size of this family would be almost impossible. She still had faith in the justice system, no matter how flawed it sometimes seemed to be.
Nate took her hand, squeezing it lightly. She bent and planted a kiss on Julia-Rose’s head and squeezed back. She murmured a silent prayer, begging the Lord to guide the judge into a decision that would allow them to keep the children.
Briefly, she touched her belly where her secret sat snug and safe. A small smile flitted across her face, as she prayed Nate’s reaction to her announcement would be welcoming.
The buggy came to a halt, and the four boys jumped out, surprisingly quiet for them. Nate had explained the meaning of the hearing, with both he and Angel assuring them the judge would rule in their favor. By the looks on their faces, it didn’t seem they had much confidence in this hearing, either.
Much to Angel’s surprise, the Belfords did not make an appearance at their house to see the children while they were waiting for the hearing to continue.
Damian’s instructions were also a surprise. He wanted the children with them. When Nate questioned the wisdom of that decision, he merely responded based on what the Hales had told him, the children themselves might be their best defense. He’d refused to elaborate, so they followed his instructions, and now they all walked toward the courthouse.
The boys looked splendid in their clean, pressed clothes, and Julia-Rose wore a frilly pink dress with a matching bonnet.
Damian waited for them, and smiled brightly as he looked the children over. He gave Julia-Rose a little pinch on her cheek, and smiled at Angel and Nate.
“You all look fine. Wipe those scared expressions off your faces.” He chuckled as he led them all into the courthouse, where the clerk ushered them inside. The Belfords and their attorney were already seated.
Nate nodded briefly to the Belfords, and joined Angel and Damian at the head table. The boys, with Matt holding Julia-Rose, sat on the bench directly behind him.
Almost immediately, the door opened and the judge entered. As soon as Julia-Rose saw the solemn looking man, she reached out. “Mama, up.”
Angel took her from Matt as the judge smiled in her direction.
“Your Honor,” Damian began once the judge sat and adjusted his spectacles, “the petitioners have maintained charges against my clients that I would like to address at this time.”
“You may proceed.” The judge nodded.
“I have here in my hand a signed and sworn-to testimony from Mr. Davis Templeton and Mrs. Emmaline Templeton, who maintains the so-called kidnapping by Mr. Nathan Hale ten years ago, was no more than a misunderstanding. They never pressed charges, and indeed never even reported it to the sheriff at the time.”
“Your Honor, I would like to see that, please.” The Belford’s attorney rose and took the paper from Damian’s hand. He skimmed the document, and handed it to the Belfords. They frowned while reading, but made no comment. After perusing the information, he returned it to the judge and sat down.
“May I continue?” Damian asked.
“Yes, go on.” The judge set the paper aside.
“I also have a Western Union from a Miss Hortense Pennington, the Headmistress of Miss Pennington’s Finishing School for Young Ladies of New York City. She states even though Mrs. Hale had been discharged from the school due to a valuable necklace being found in her room, no charges were brought against her. Additionally, no evidence of Mrs. Hale’s involvement in the episode ever existed. In fact, Miss Pennington indicates she’d always felt the missing necklace had been placed there by another student who later received an expulsion from the school.”
He passed that document to the other attorney, who went through the same procedure and then handed it to the judge.
“Your Honor,” Damian began, “you see before you a happy and healthy family. Mr. Nathan Hale provides adequately for his family by virtue of ownership of a busy gunsmith shop. Mrs. Hale is home all day with her children, and even earns extra money for the family by tutoring. They are upstanding members of the community, attend church regularly, and the boys are doing well in school.”
“Do you have anything to add to this hearing, Mr. Strickland?” The judge addressed his question to the other attorney.
“Yes, I do.” Straightening his tie, and clearing his throat, he stood. “Amy Belford Hale, the children’s natural mother, was a devout Catholic. When she and Mr. Hale married, he agreed to raise any children in the Catholic faith. Mr. and Mrs. Belford have reason to believe he is not living up to the agreement. They love their daughter’s children and feel under their loving guidance the children will be raised the way their mother would have wanted.”
“Mr. Strickland,” the judge frowned, “this court is not prepared to rule on the best religion to raise children in.”
“No, Your Honor,” he continued quickly, “it’s simply a matter of Nathan Hale and the Belfords effecting an agreement not being honored.”
“Your Honor.” Damian stood and addressed the judge.