“Do you like to be called Mattingly or Matty?”
“Matty, please,” she replies softly.
“Okay. I know this is difficult. You’re going through a lot of stuff right now, but can you tell me why you want to live with Hawk?”
She nods and turns her head in Hawk’s direction. “He’s my dad,” she states proudly.
“You’ve only known him for a short period of time.”
“I know.” Her voice is quiet. “But his job is in Boston and if he leaves without me, how will I get to know him better?” She looks at Judge Mash for an answer. There isn’t one given. “Hawk has taught me so much since I met him. We’re a family with Bellamy and Chase.”
Now I have tears falling from my eyes.
“When my mom left me at Bellamy’s, they could’ve sent me away but they didn’t. They made it seem like I’ve always been there. Chase and I have chores, a bedtime, they sit with us while we do our homework, and then my dad takes us to baseball practice.”
“Are you prepared to move away from your friends?”
She nods.
“Okay, you can step down.” Judge Mash watches and Matty rushes back to my side. I pull her close and kiss the top of her head. “Mr. Sinclair, the State of Montana has concerns that your daughter will be shuffled back and forth, that you can’t create a stable environment for her.”
I don’t know what possesses me, but I stand up and blurt out, “My son and I are also moving to Boston, Your Honor. I’ll be taking care of Matty while Mr. Sinclair travels for his games.”
Hawk turns and looks at me while the judge slams her gavel down. I slink back in my chair, completely aware that I may have ruined any chance he has at gaining custody.
“Your Honor,” Peters says as he stands. “It’s just come to my attention that Bellamy Patrick is intending to relocate to Boston as well. In your paperwork, she is also listed as a potential temporary guardian in this case, in the event custody isn’t awarded to Mr. Sinclair.”
“I do not like outbursts in my courtroom, Mr. Smith.”
“I apologize. Emotions are high right now.”
As she’s looking over the papers, her side door opens and the police chief walks in. My heartbeat increases as he leans down and says something in her ear. “Mr. Smith, Mr. Sinclair, and Ms. Harold, in my chambers, now.” Hawk and I exchange looks as he follows Peter into the other room.
“What’s going on?” Matty asks.
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t know, sweetie. Your dad will tell us when he comes back.”
Hawk’s family is on edge, as am I. We’re watching the door, waiting for it to open, and when it finally does, Hawk’s face is white. Peter and the attorney for the State, Mr. Harold, are expressionless.
Judge Mash sits back down and says, “I have come to the decision, in light of new information, that it is in the best interest of the child to remain in the temporary custody of her biological father, Hawk Sinclair, for a period of one year after which we will reconvene to determine permanent custody of the minor child. The State of Montana will work with the State of Massachusetts to set up a home study and to periodically check on the minor child. Mr. Sinclair, you are free to take your daughter out of state, bu
t if you need to leave the country, you’ll need permission from this court.” She slams her gavel down, stands and exits.
I’m stunned, although I shouldn’t be. Hawk is the better choice, especially over foster care, but I want to know what the hell just happened. Matty leaves my side and rushes to Hawk. He picks her up and twirls her around before setting her back down. They hold hands as they walk toward us, but he still says nothing except that it feels good to win.
It’s later that night, when we’re alone in the living room and the kids are fast asleep that he starts talking. “Did you mean it?”
“I did. Chase and I want to be in Boston with you. We’ll leave after he finishes the season. I think it’s important for him to stay. Matty can stay as well.”
He shakes his head. “I’m taking her with me.”
“Okay.”
Hawk goes quiet for a minute before turning to look at me. “They found Annie and Brett.”
“Where?”
“In Bozeman, off the slide of a cliff. Preliminary reports show Annie was intoxicated. She was driving and neither were wearing a seatbelt. Their bodies were found on Monday, but the car was registered to some rental company and neither of them had any identification on them. Once we filed the missing person’s report, the medical examiner got the alert and called it in.” He pauses and looks away from me for a few seconds before continuing. “I have to tell Matty. I’m not sure how, but in the morning, we’re going over to her house to get her things. The police are meeting us there, so I have to talk to her beforehand. She’s ten and has to make a decision on where to put her parents’ belongings.”