CHAPTER 25
Butterflies were dancinga jig in Harper’s stomach as she arrived at the courthouse. Reality was setting in and the fact that she’d just thrown everything away to help a man who didn’t want her was giving her cold feet.
What did she hope to gain from this? Mason wouldn’t suddenly stop regretting their time together. Layla would still belong to someone else. Her painting would never make it to California. Her mother would still cut off her funds.
Harper laid her forehead against the steering wheel. Maybe if she hurried, she could find another post office? One close enough to this town to allow her to still send the painting. It was sitting in the back of the car, almost ready to be shipped. She could finish it at the post office and mail it off. Was it possible to salvage the situation?
Layla needs you.
A small sob broke through Harper’s lips and she clamped her jaw shut to avoid any more. This wasn’t about her. She needed to remember that. Mason didn’t want her for a girlfriend, but he still probably needed a friend, and right now he definitely needed an advocate. Layla deserved a warm and loving home and the only way for that to happen was for Harper to march inside and tell the court everything.
She wasn’t naive enough to think she’d get away without sharing parts of her she wanted to keep hidden. The judge would want to know her relationship with Mason, meaning it would certainly come out that she was his ex-girlfriend, and considering she was still in love with him, she was positive there would be no way to hide that either. Somehow...they’d all be able to tell. It was still written all over her face when she looked in the mirror.
Layla needs you.
She sucked in a deep breath through her nose. She could survive this. She might not thrive, but Harper knew she’d survive and for now, that would have to be enough. Layla deserved the chance to be raised with love and that was on Harper’s shoulders.
She straightened, forced thoughts of post offices and paintings out of her head and stepped out of her car. She walked inside with her head high, despite not really being dressed for the occasion. Fake it ’til you make it. This would have to be her motto today.
Her flip flops slapped against the tile floor and she stopped at the information desk to ask which room she needed to enter. Pausing just outside the courtroom, Harper sent a prayer heavenward and threw back her shoulders. This was it. She would do what she could...for Layla.
She slipped inside quietly, and noticed immediately that Jayden was sitting up front, being questioned.
Harper sat in a seat just in front of the door. An older man, who was speaking to Jayden, glanced her way and gave a subtle nod, which Harper returned. She was going to guess that it was Mr. Thomas, the lawyer Crew had mentioned.
Her eyes traveled over the rest of the room and she saw the back of Mason’s head. He was sitting next to a man of similar coloring, but not quite as large. That must be Crew. The two heads bent together every once in a while and exchanged whispers, but otherwise the room was quiet and fairly empty.
A well dressed couple sat to the left with a man in an expensive suit. The Turleys. Mrs. Turley looked like she’d come straight from a high end fashion show and Harper could only imagine how well a toddler would fit into that world.
“Thank you, Mr. Gordon,” Mr. Thomas said.
When the prosecution turned down a chance for questions, Mr. Thomas turned to the judge. “I have one more character witness I’d like to bring up,” he explained.
The other lawyer stood. “I don’t show any more on the docket.”
Mr. Thomas acknowledged the man. “I realize that, but in this case, we had a last minute schedule opening.” He waved a hand toward Harper. “Ms. Woodson was previously unavailable, but she managed to work us into her schedule, for which we’re grateful.”
Harper stood, not missing how Mason’s head had jerked around and his jaw dropped. She gave a tiny wave to Jayden, Ethan and Gavin, who were sitting together closer to the front of the room, as she walked forward.
“Your Honor—”
The judge held up a hand. “I’m willing to hear what she has to say,” he said. He nodded at Harper. “Take a seat, please, Ms. Woodson.”
After all was settled, Harper kept her eyes on Mr. Thomas. She wouldn’t be able to keep going if she looked at Mason.
“Ms. Woodson,” Mr. Thomas said kindly. “Would you please tell us your relationship with Mr. Turley? Mr. Mason Turley?”
Harper nodded jerkily. This was exactly what she had expected. “I’m...his ex-girlfriend.”
“His ex-girlfriend?” Mr. Thomas repeated.
Harper nodded.
“Then tell us, Ms. Woodson. Why would you come to a custody battle such as this on behalf of someone you’re no longer dating?”
Harper took one last breath, forcing her chest to open and relax. “Because Mason Turley is one of the best men I’ve ever known and if anyone in this room wants Layla to have even the smallest chance at a wonderful life...they’ll leave her right where she is.”
The prosecutor stood and started to shout, and it took the judge a few moments to calm him down before he turned to Harper. “I’m guessing you spent a lot of time with Mr. Turley and the girl?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You saw them interact on multiple occasions?”
“Yes,” Harper said again.
“And do you find him to be neglectful?” the judge pressed. “The question here is whether she is in danger because Mr. Turley is not yet ready for the responsibility of raising a child.”
“He wasn’t ready,” Harper said softly. “No one is ready to have a two year old thrust on them and go from a completely single life to one where they’re responsible for a toddler.” She leaned forward, adding emphasis to her words. “But I was with Mason from the beginning and I watched him grow, change and adapt. He not only would put Layla’s safety above his own, but his desire to give her a good life, one filled with happiness and love, cannot be matched.” She purposefully darted her eyes toward Mr. and Mrs. Turley, then back to the judge. “Not by anyone.”
The judge leaned back, studying her. “You and he obviously didn’t work out, yet you seem like a very nice young woman, Ms. Woodson. Do you really believe he’s capable of loving that little girl?”
Harper knew the answer to this, but it would expose the very inner workings of her heart to say it. For Layla. “Your Honor,” she said softly. “Anyone, whether adult or child, who manages to have Mason Turley’s love, can count themselves the very luckiest of individuals. It’s worth fighting for.”
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