Emma's Wish

"And you also testified you have feelings for your wife?"

Sam's gaze found Emma. "I do."

"Are you trying to tell this court you've also fallen in love?"

"I suppose I am."

"Isn't that convenient?"

"Look--"

"But that's not the way it really is, is it?" the lawyer went on. "You and Mrs. Jenkins aren't the happily married couple you pretend to be at all, are you?"

Sam's gaze flicked to Jonas, who was busy scribbling a note, a frown creasing his forehead. Keeping his voice steady, he said, "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, I think you do, Mr. Jenkins. In fact, I think you and Mrs. Jenkins concocted this whole scheme as a way to extort money from my clients in payment for these children."

Chapter 17

Jonas bounded out of his seat, the chair legs scraping across the wooden floor. Behind him, the spectators muttered amongst themselves. "Your Honor," he cried out, "this is preposterous. There is absolutely no basis for these accusations against my clients--"

The Howards' lawyer smiled affably. "Your Honor, isn't it obvious? Mr. Jenkins, a practically destitute rancher, begs his deceased wife's parents to take over the care and upbringing of his children. Out of the goodness of their hearts, and because they love their grandchildren very much, they take pity on him and agree. They proceed to make travel arrangements for the children, open up rooms in their home, and have them accepted into the best schools, all with joyous anticipation of having their grandchildren with them. Then, without any warning, the defendant suddenly withdraws his request that my clients raise his children,and comes up with a new wife. Very convenient, isn't it?"

The judge leaned forward and steepled his fingers. "That doesn't prove anything," he commented, but Sam could tell the judge was interested in what the lawyer had to say.

"Mr. Jenkins has known my clients for many years. He is very well aware of how grief-stricken they were over the death of their daughter. He is also very well aware of how wealthy they are. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. He knew how much my clients wanted those children, and it was a simple matter to come to the conclusion that they would pay - and pay handsomely - for them. Where Mrs. Jenkins fits into this plan, I'm not sure, but whether he concocted the plan himself or with the help of his--" He paused long enough to emphasize the word-- "wife, the two of them are in this together."

The hushed murmurs in the courtroom grew louder. Sam's heart thundered against his ribs. The sounds buzzed around his head; the faces swam in his vision.

Stop it! Think! Breathe!

He'd never known rage such as this, and frankly, it terrified him. He couldn't think straight. His only thought was to knock the self-satisfied smirk from the lawyer's face.

That would sure help, he thought sarcastically. I'd end up in jail, and the Howards would win after all.

There was another w

ay to counter the lawyer's accusations, but how could he bring himself to admit to the world - and to himself - that he didn't need the Howards' money, because he'd married a woman who had an inheritance that could support them nicely. Since the day he'd discovered she was wealthy in her own right, he'd fought against using any of her money. And he'd continue to fight. A man provides for his family.

Admitting in court that Emma was a rich woman would defend them against the lawyer's claim they were planning to extort money from the Howards. But at what cost? Nobody would believe he was supporting his family, and how could he hold his head high knowing his friends thought he'd married Emma for her money?

"Nothing further, Your Honor."

Sam's gaze was drawn to the lawyer. Behind him, Emma's eyes begged him to tell the truth. He slid a glance at the judge, who was scribbling madly, and his stomach roiled.

He had no choice. He couldn't keep quiet, not when his children were at stake. It didn't matter what people thought of him, and if they had to leave Charity and start over somewhere else, he'd do that. But he couldn't sit quietly and let the judge believe what the lawyer was saying.

"... that's all, Mr. Jenkins."

"What?" Sam's gaze flew around the courtroom. "What?"

"You may step down," the judge said.

"But I have to tell you--"

The judge leaned closer. "Mr. Jenkins, you had an opportunity to respond to Mr. Ambrose. You chose not to. Now please step down."

"Wait a minute--"