The Lawman's Rebel Bride Read online

  She ran into the courtroom one minute before nine. Her court-appointed public defender waved to her from the front row. There was one good thing about remaining in the system...they always assigned her the same attorney. Jocelyn Winters. The two had become friends over the past few years and Belle held the woman solely responsible for keeping her out of jail.

  Belle took her seat beside Jocelyn and scanned the room, wondering if Harlan had decided to come. That’s if he even knew about today. She hoped he stayed far away. Well, as far away as the sheriff’s department next door would take him. She’d already caused enough trouble for him.

  “Oh, my God. What is she doing here?”

  Jocelyn followed her gaze. “That’s your stepdaughter, isn’t it?”

  “My what?” Stepdaughter. “Yes.” Belle hadn’t thought of herself as Ivy’s stepmother. She guessed by law, she was. Her and Harlan’s marriage was too new and fragile to place herself in a parental role. “She shouldn’t be here.”

  Harlan had kept Ivy out of school today for fear Molly would try to contact her or even worse...take her. He needed the chance to notify everyone involved in her life before allowing her to go back to school or visit any of her friends. Belle had a suspicion all playdates would be on Harlan’s ranch for the foreseeable future. Ivy was supposed to be safely tucked away on the Silver Bells Ranch with Dylan. How on earth did she get into town?

  Belle reached for her phone before she remembered they weren’t allowed in court. Bryan sat in the front row behind the prosecutor. Belle stood to call his name when the judge entered the room.

  “All rise for the Honorable Judge Beckett Sanders,” the bailiff announced.

  Crap!

  “You may be seated,” the judge commanded from the bench. “Who’s first on today’s docket?” he asked the bailiff.

  “Belle Elizabeth Barnes.”

  The judge removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

  “Step on up, Belle.” Judge Sanders had ditched any formality when it came to her years ago. “I heard you got married. Congratulations.”

  “Yes, Your Honor.” Belle couldn’t resist smiling. Maybe court wouldn’t be so bad. “I did. And thank you.”

  “Why are you standing before me today?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure which offense this is for, Your Honor.” Belle inwardly cursed herself. When had her life become so out of control she didn’t know why she was in court?

  The judge laughed and put his glasses back on. “That’s not reassuring. Have you seen the inside of a jail cell this past month?”

  “A few times, Your Honor.” Belle braved a quick glance in Bryan’s direction, hoping to get his attention.

  “Will the prosecutor please read the charges against our resident rebel bride?”

  “Miss Barnes is here for charges from July 4 and 11. Both are petty theft charges of property not exceeding $1,500 in value. Restitution has been paid to the property owners. If convicted, these two charges will put Miss Barnes over the third theft offense limit. In addition, there is one criminal trespass charge, which is associated with the petty theft on the eleventh.”

  “How do you plea?”

  “Not guilty, Your Honor.” Belle wanted to crawl into a hole and die. She wondered how many of the charges Ivy understood. Regardless, she was sure theft and trespass were two words she was familiar with.

  “Do you wish to waive your right to a trial on another day or do you wish to proceed this morning?”

  “Your Honor,” Jocelyn began. “Miss Barnes would like to proceed today.”

  “Your Honor,” Belle interrupted. “May I please approach the bench? It’s urgent.” He waved her forward and covered the microphone with his hand. “Judge Sanders, Harlan’s daughter is in the back of the courtroom. I don’t know how she got here, but she’s supposed to be on the Silver Bells Ranch with Dylan. Molly showed up this morning laying claim to Ivy, and Harlan fears she’ll take her. Can Bryan bring her to her father? He may not even realize she’s gone. But if he does, he’ll be frantic.”

  “Deputy Bryan Jones, please approach the bench.” Judge Sanders peered over his glasses.

  Bryan was startled at the sound of his name. “Yes, Your Honor.” He crossed the front of the courtroom.

  “Miss Barnes needs to speak with you.”

  “Ivy’s in the back of the courtroom alone,” Belle whispered. “Do you know why she’s here?”

  “No.” Bryan turned toward the little girl. “Where’s Harlan?”

  “I have no idea and with Molly running around I’m afraid something’s wrong.”

  The judge leaned farther over the bench. “Deputy, how many cases do you have today?”

  “Just one. Speeding ticket. Fifty-five in a twenty. I don’t see the guy, though.”

  “Belle, are you certain you don’t want to postpone your appearance?”

  “What’s the point? I was arrested on Tuesday for rescuing a piglet. I’ll be here next month. I’d rather not have all my charges announced on one day. It’s kind of humiliating.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s what?” Judge Sanders stared at her. “I never thought I’d hear those words out of your mouth.”

  “I never thought my indiscretions, however honorable the reasons were, would be read in front of an impressionable seven-year-old girl.”

  The judge scrawled a few notes on the legal pad before redirecting his attention to them. “Deputy Jones, please take Ivy to her father and, Belle, you can return to the defendant’s table.”

  Judge Sanders waited for Bryan and Ivy to leave the room before proceeding. “Will the prosecution please explain the nature of the charges?”

  After a half hour of listening to the prosecutor read her priors, Belle wanted to throw up. Hadn’t she paid attention in court before? None of it was foreign to her, yet she had a difficult time associating the person they were describing with herself. Being a rebel with a cause was one thing, but she sounded like a loose cannon. She was shocked Harlan even married her with this long of a record. He was right—her actions affected his career and Ivy’s life.

  If Judge Sanders convicted her on both petty theft charges today, he’d have no choice but to remand her to jail for the state-mandated thirty days. When he reduced her charges and gave her a hundred hours of community service and six months of probation instead, she felt luckier than a four-leaf clover. She made a solemn vow to herself never to see the inside of a courtroom again unless she was a witness for the prosecution. And there was that pesky last court appearance she needed to make on Lillie’s behalf. But neither of those were third offenses. She’d never see the inside of a jail cell again.

  * * *

  HOW DARE MOLLY storm back into their lives and demand to be a part of Ivy’s life? He’d spent the better part of the morning calling in every favor owed to him from various law enforcement agencies around the country. He wanted a detailed report of her whereabouts and who she had been with since the day she left. People had asked if he kept tabs on her over the years and he never had. She hadn’t been worth the time or effort involved. A judge had awarded him full custody and nothing else had mattered.

  Sheriff Parker even made a few calls on his behalf. Molly was the definition of a town pariah. She hadn’t a friend left in Saddle Ridge after walking out on their daughter the way she had. Speaking of his daughter, he wondered if she was still mad at him after he yelled at her this morning for taking off.

  Dylan had an appointment and Harlan had to bring Ivy to work with him. After explaining his reason—Molly—the department understood. Unfortunately, Ivy hadn’t. What kid wanted to go to school? His. And she was mad she was missing a science demonstration they’d been working on all week. How do you explain to your child you were protecting her from her own mother? He’d do everything in his power to prevent telling her Moll
y wanted to see her. Unless the court ordered it, he’d do his damnedest to keep it from happening. He refused to allow his daughter to ride the Molly Weaver roller coaster. It was a sickening ride fraught with hate and lies.

  He realized hanging around the station bored her, but it was the safest place in town. Once Dylan came back, then she’d be safe on Silver Bells. But bored or not, sneaking out and into the courthouse next door because she saw Belle’s truck pull into the adjoining lot had infuriated him. Truth be told, he was madder at himself for not realizing she was missing. Then he’d gone on the warpath and berated the courthouse security guard for letting her in without adult supervision. He may have gone a little overboard with his reaction, but today it had been warranted.

  Ivy sat next to his desk sulking and coloring. She was confused and he didn’t blame her for the attitude.

  When lunchtime rolled around, he was no closer to understanding what had happened to Molly. Her record was clean. Dylan stopped by after his appointment to take Ivy back to his ranch. At least she’d have her puppy and the other animals to play with and keep her company.

  He hadn’t heard from Belle all morning, but he already knew she’d had a court appearance thanks to his daughter. Bryan said it hadn’t gone well while he was there. Belle had been genuinely embarrassed that Ivy had heard her charges. In a way, he was glad that happened. Ivy hadn’t asked him any questions, and maybe this was the kick in the rear Belle needed to straighten out her life. And considering she hadn’t been paraded through the police station to a holding cell, he assumed the charges had been reduced. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and if last night was any indication of the future, they’d be very happy together.

  Harlan had promised Belle he would stop by the nursing home and visit with Trudy at lunchtime. He should have gone sooner. It was a gorgeous day and Harlan opted to walk the few blocks. He waved hello to the nurses at the front desk as he turned down Trudy’s hallway.

  He froze outside her doorway, recognizing the woman’s voice before he laid eyes on her.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Harlan glared at Molly, sitting beside Trudy’s bed.

  “I’m visiting—what does it look like?” Molly replied.

  “Wasn’t that nice of Molly to visit with me during her lunch hour?” Trudy patted Molly’s arm. “I’ll only be here for a few more days, then you can come visit me at the house.”

  “Molly, may I see you in the hallway please?” Harlan said between clenched teeth.

  She shook her head. “What for?”

  “Sit down, Harlan.” Trudy pointed to the chair next to Molly.

  “No, thank you, I’d rather stand. I’ve been sitting all day.”

  “Suit yourself.” Trudy returned her attention to Molly. “Molly was just telling me why she wasn’t at your wedding.”

  The careful facade Belle and he had built was beginning to crumble. “Yes, Molly. Why couldn’t you attend our wedding? Come to think of it, we haven’t seen you around in quite some time.”

  “Molly has a new job and it takes her out of town quite a bit.”

  “Is that so?” Harlan folded his arms across his chest. “Doing what?”

  “Oh, my God! What are you doing here?” Belle stood in the doorway. She strode across the room and grabbed Molly by the back of the shirt, yanking her to her feet.

  “Belle, what’s wrong with you?” Trudy attempted to sit up straight.

  “I’m sorry, Grammy. Molly has to cut her visit short. She’s late for a doctor’s appointment and she asked me to remind her. I’ll show her out, but I’ll be back in just a minute. Say goodbye, Molly.”

  “I’ll see you again soon, Trudy.”

  Belle tugged her out into the hall, almost banging Molly’s face against the door frame.

  Harlan followed them. Half out of fear Belle would kill her and half for entertainment purposes.

  Belle marched up to the security guard. “Do you see this woman? Take a good look at her. In fact, take her picture. She is never to come anywhere near my grandmother again. She is a menace and a threat to my family.” Belle pushed open the front door of the nursing home and shoved Molly through it. “If I have to get a restraining order against you, I will. This is your one and only warning. My grandmother does not have the faculties to defend herself against you. You are not to come near her.”

  Harlan stepped in between them. “Molly, if you want to talk to me, then talk to me. But don’t try to go through Trudy or try to get under Belle’s skin to get my attention. I’m not above throwing you in jail.”

  “Oh, please do.” Belle glared up at him.

  “My intentions were only to visit with Trudy. I didn’t mean to upset anyone.” Molly turned to Belle. “I stopped by your grandmother’s house only to discover you had sold it and she lived here. I had no idea.”

  “Why would you? You abandoned your family six years ago and never looked back. You wouldn’t even recognize your own daughter if she was standing here.”

  “You’re probably right. But I would love the opportunity.” Molly handed Harlan a slip of paper. “I will give you some time to think it over. I’m staying here in town and if you don’t allow me some form of visitation with my child, I will have the courts intervene.”

  “I don’t know which is sadder,” Harlan said. “The fact you think you can come back to town and pick up right where you left off, or that you think you have a chance of winning any form of custody or visitation with Ivy.”

  “This isn’t the time or the place to discuss it.” Belle looked over her shoulder. A small crowd had gathered in the nursing home’s atrium.

  “You’re right,” Molly agreed. “My number and my hotel are on that slip of paper. I would like to speak with you about Ivy, alone.”

  “Belle’s my wife. She has every right to be a part of this conversation.” The last thing Harlan wanted was to meet Molly in a hotel room alone. Not because he didn’t trust himself. He had no interest in anyone other than his wife. He didn’t trust Molly or how Molly might use this situation against Belle. He finally had everything he’d ever wanted with the woman of his dreams and he refused to allow anyone to come between them.

  “Fine, just promise me we’ll talk.”

  “We will talk. But it will be on my terms, in a location I choose, and if I suspect anything, there won’t be any second chances. You’re lucky I’m giving you this one.”

  “Understood.” Molly began to walk away, then stopped and faced Belle. “I thought if anyone would understand, you would. Didn’t I do what you always wanted your mother to do? I came back. How would you feel if you found out your mother had returned for you and nobody allowed you to see her? How would you feel knowing you could have had answers to all your questions, but someone stole that chance from you?”

  “That’s low, even for you, Molly,” Harlan said.

  “Please stay away from my grandmother.” Belle headed inside.

  “When we talk, you better be prepared to answer a lot of questions. Starting with where the hell have you been and how could you leave and never once contact our daughter? She doesn’t even remember you. She hasn’t the foggiest idea what you even look like and she’s never asked. She doesn’t give you a second thought.” Molly winced at his comment as if he’d physically struck her. “What did you expect? You’re not a part of her life. After you left, I wondered how this would affect her. I learned a child’s resiliency is a beautiful thing. She bounced back like you never even happened. She didn’t even cry, because the house was finally peaceful. When you were there, you weren’t much of a mother. So wherever you went, I hope you found the help you needed. And if you ever have more children, and maybe you already do, I hope you have enough good sense and strength to treat them better than you treated Ivy.”

  Harlan strode into the nursing home and
straight out the back door into the garden. He had finally said everything he’d wanted to say to Molly for six years. His body shook with relief. His shoulders released the tension he swore he’d been carrying all this time. It was over. The waiting and wondering if she would ever return. She had returned and he had to prepare for the fight of his life. Not that he thought he’d have much of one. Saddle Ridge was a small town in the middle of a small county. Everyone knew everyone else, and everyone knew what Molly had done. Outside of some fantastic medical excuse, nothing would make up for her abandonment.

  “Harlan.” Belle rested her hand on his shoulder. He covered it with his own, turned and gathered her in his arms, holding her tightly. His heart hammered in his chest as he buried his face in her hair. She wound her arms around his waist and stroked his back. “Molly’s right,” she said. “You should listen to what she has to say.”

  Chapter Nine

  When Belle told Harlan he should give Molly a chance to explain, she didn’t think he’d do it hours later. She was alone on the ranch for the first time at night since her arrival. It felt cold, lacking the charm and emotion without Harlan and Ivy. His daughter was still staying with Dylan and probably would for the next couple days.

  Harlan had given her a key to the house and told her to make herself at home. And technically it was her home. Not just because they were married, but because she had been the one to persuade Harlan to buy the ranch years ago. She’d fallen in love with it the moment she stepped on the wide front porch. The whitewashed clapboard siding provided a neutral palette against the colorful western Montana backdrop. This had been where she planned to raise her kids. And as wonderful as last night had been, she doubted she’d get that chance. They’d already moved too fast. She’d initially excused it because of their past, but in the cold light of day, it was just plain foolishness. Neither one of them was ready for an emotional commitment. They’d slept together and now it was out of their system. It wouldn’t happen again.