Rescue Me (Colorado Blues) (13 page)

Rory
watched the girls drive away and headed back into his office. He had a pile of
paperwork to sift through before the end of the day and needed to get stuck
into it. He poured a mug of coffee and sat down at his desk, reaching for the
first task. The phone ringing startled him and he glanced at his watch. For
over three hours he’d been sitting at his desk and the soreness in his
shoulders could attest to that.

Rory
picked up the phone. “Sheriff Watson.”

“Hey,
Rory, its Layla. Listen I want to run something past you before I call Gina.”

“Sure,
I appreciate this. She’s kind of flustered over the wedding at the moment.”

“Okay,
here’s the thing. I went in with guns blazing like I said I would. The way I
see it, and I hope you agree, is that Aden basically used her as a means to an
end. Not a pretty thing to say but there’s no point beating about the bush
here. I want to win this before it goes to court.”

“I
agree. Do what you have to do to bring this to a close.” He leaned back in his
chair and closed his eyes listening to the lawyer.

“Right,
so I had a meeting with the other side’s lawyers. I know them from different
cases and we managed to have a fairly honest chat about it all. I did point out
that she was the innocent party here and had no idea what Aden was up to or who
he was. His driver’s license which the police held proves that he was using
another name.” She took a breath. “I also pointed out that with the evidence we
have, including Gina’s drug test which came back negative, they don’t have a
case worth dragging through the courts. It’s fairly obvious he was doing
everything to get away from his family and that isn’t her fault, and I refuse
to let them punish her for that.”

“Thank
goodness for that. Did they agree?” He pinched the skin between his eyes,
hoping this would turn out right.

“Yes,
in theory they did, they have stipulations which I think are fair enough under
the circumstances. Fisher is the only living relative, and as much as they
might be hurting over all of this they are still his grandparents.”

“What
do they want?” Rory sat up, listening intently.

“Their
lawyer is suggesting a meeting of sorts to start with so I’m not sure how far
this has been discussed with their clients yet. Obviously they want to see him
and meet Gina. I set down some guidelines for them to work with and left it in
their hands. Hope that’s okay with you?”

“They’ve
got a nerve after what they just tried. Have they agreed to drop the case yet?”

“No.
Look, Rory, I understand how you feel about what they tried to do and you need
to try and look at it from their side too. If it was your child, wouldn’t you
pull out all the stops?”

Rory
took a deep breath and chewed it over in his mind. “Possibly. This isn’t about
me. So, have they agreed to drop the case or not?”

“Not
yet. I think they wanted to see what you said first. And that’s the reason I
left it with them. I’m kinda banking on them realizing that it’s pointless to
drag this through court with the media circus that will surround them anyway. I
pointed out that you’d both probably be more open to Fisher getting to know his
grandparents if they didn’t treat you like the enemy because at the end of the
day, Gina and Fisher are the ones who have been harmed in all of this. What do
you think?”

“True,
we would. Look, I have no objections at this point. I want to run it past Gina
tonight and let her know where we’re at so don’t worry about calling her. On
the same token, I don’t want to get her hopes up about the case not going to
court either. How sure are you that it won’t happen?”

“Pretty
sure, but even though their lawyers and I think it’s the best way to go,
doesn’t mean they’ll agree. These people lost their son and found his son in
the same breath. Who knows what will happen? I’m hoping to have an answer
tomorrow. Soon as I do, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks,
Layla. Appreciate it.” Rory put down the phone and stared at it for some time
mulling over her words. Tonight he had to make up his mind whether to tell Gina
or to let things ride and give her the good news when and if it happened.

Before
he left for the day, he decided to call his brothers and see if they could get
home for his wedding. He looked in his phone for the number for Evan. He pushed
the dial button and waited for an answer, keen to speak to him for the first
time in years. It went straight to voice mail. Rory swallowed the wave of
disappointment and left a message. “Hey, Evan, it’s Rory. Give me a call. I
have some news I want to share with you.”

Next
he tried Luke. It also went to voice mail and he left the same message before
hanging up. Nothing like having two brothers who were out of touch still after
all these years. He did the same when Cindy died. He’d let most of their calls
go the same way so he couldn’t blame them.

By
the time he’d driven up the road to the ranch that evening, Rory decided it was
only fair to tell Gina what the lawyer said regardless of the outcome. He could
try and protect her. This was all about her and her child though so she had the
right to know. The best he could do was be there for her if it all went crazy
wrong and they ended up in court anyway.

***

“Seriously?
They might drop the case?” She stood with tears in her eyes, aware that Rory
was trying to tell her not to count on it, but it was all too much to dream
about.

“Yes,
we might find out tomorrow but, honey, don’t get your hopes up. They may still
want to go for full custody. This is what Layla and the other lawyers have
agreed would be in everyone’s best interests.”

She
threw herself into his arms, sobs rising from her throat. Gina clung to Rory,
unable to believe it could turn out so good, desperately praying it was how it
would end up. She had no problem with meeting Aden’s parents and letting Fisher
get to know them so long as she got to keep her baby.

Raised
voices in the other room made Gina wince. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you your
father is here. Chance wasn’t too happy about it either.” She sniffed. “This is
all my fault.”

Rory
held her close. “Honey, none of it is your fault. He went off the rails when
our mother died and Chance is probably having a hard time forgiving him.”

“What
about you?”

He
looked down into her eyes. “I saw him the other day actually. Thought it was
time I asked him the truth about what Chance did, you know, supporting us and
all.”

Gina
reached up and wiped away the frown on his forehead.

“He
told me the truth and I can’t keep being bitter at him over it. I almost did
the same thing when Cindy died. Only thing different was I didn’t have any
kids.”

“If
Layla hadn’t said Chance had to make up with your father to help me and Fisher
out, this wouldn’t be happening.”

“Yeah,
it would. Had to be sorted out sooner or later because I want him to get to
know you and our son. Family should stick together through thick and thin. He
made a mistake and now it’s time to deal with it.”

Chance
raised his voice again and Rory hurried into the other room with Gina right
behind him. Jock was standing gazing out the window, his back to his eldest
son. Rory and Gina stopped, watching things unfold.

Chance
tried to smile at her before he turned back to his father, but it came off
rather strained. “I’m sorry you think that way, I did the best I could for
everyone involved.” His father turned around and stepped forward.

“Which
is why you need to stop now and think about yourself. You were these boys’
father for far too long and I take full responsibility for that as I’ve already
told you. You need to think about yourself and that pretty little lady
upstairs. Stop trying to help everyone including me.”

Chance
snorted and got a frown for his trouble.

“You
can take the piss out of me all you like, son. I know I screwed up and we all
know why. I’ve said I’m sorry so many damned times, to your brothers and now to
you. I want back in your lives and I want you to let me be your father again.
If that means I get to tell you how I see it, so be it.”

“What’s
going on?” Rory looked between the two of them.

“Comes
waltzing in here acting like my father all of a sudden.” Chance threw his hands
up in the air. “Wants to come and help me out because he’s worried about my hip
all of a sudden.”

“And
that’s wrong why? Please fill me in here, brother.”

Chance
glared at him. “Because I can do just fine by myself, that’s why.”

“You
helped me when I needed it, Chance. Give me the courtesy of doing the same for
you.” Jock glanced between his two sons.

Footsteps
sounded on the stairs and Callie came down with Fisher on her hip. “You’re so
full of it, Chance. I know you’re still in pain at night after a big day and
you won’t employ anyone else to help out. I think it’s a great idea to let your
dad come and do some work here on the ranch. Might give you and me a little bit
more, ‘us’ time, don’t you think?”

Gina
took Fisher and looked on as Callie walked up to her husband. “You already know
my opinion on forgiving your father, and you promised to do it to help out with
Fisher and Gina too. What you need to do is do it for yourself too, pal.”

“I
don’t need—”

“We
all do whether we admit it or not. Lie to yourself, Chance, just don’t ever lie
to me.” She leaned up into his chest and placed a chaste kiss on his lips
before turning to his father.

“Hi,
my name is Callie. What do I call you? Pop, Dad?”

“Jock.
Call me Jock.” His face broke out into a sudden smile and he held out his hand,
taking hers. “You’ve done well, son. She’s like your mom, feisty and so very
pretty too.”

Chance
watched the play between his father and his wife, and Rory saw the tension
slowly leave his brother’s shoulders. “You didn’t tell me you were still in
pain. I thought it was all good now.”

“It
is. Just some days it aches more than I’d like.”

Rory
nodded his head. “Fair enough. Um, so, Dad is offering to help you out on the
ranch then?”

Chance
walked over and spoke in low tones. “Yeah. I did promise Gina and Layla I would
help by bringing him back into the fold so to speak, and it looks as though my
darling wife is making sure I don’t go back on my word. She’s annoyed I won’t
hire anymore help. Every time she talks about it I change the subject.”

“Look,
I won’t hold you to it, Chance, although it was lovely of you to offer in the
first place. We might not need to go to court anyway. Hopefully we’ll find out
tomorrow.”

“No,
it’s okay. It’s time I guess and I understand now why he did it. Just don’t
expect me to be all hearts and roses to start with. He’s not getting away with
it that damned easy.” Chance ambled over and placed his arm around his wife’s
shoulders as she spoke to her new father-in-law.

 Rory
stood watching the three of them. He looked down at Gina and winked. “Best we
get into the conversation too then.” He stepped forward. “Dad, I want you to
meet Gina. And this is her son Fisher. We’re getting married as soon as we can
arrange it.”

Jock
turned away from Callie and his face lit up even more. Rory noticed the wobble
of his bottom lip and the sheen of tears in his eyes. “How did I get so lucky?”

Chance
muttered under his breath and Callie elbowed him in the stomach.

Jock
stepped away from his eldest son and walked toward Gina, holding out his hand.
He stopped and held his finger out for Fisher to grab. The little boy reached
out and touched Jock’s finger, his eyes on the older man. When they touched,
Fisher laughed and tucked his face into his mother’s neck before peeking at his
new grandfather again.

“It’s
delightful to make your acquaintance Gina and Fisher. I’m so glad you decided
to move to our little town.”

“It’s
nice to be here, Jock. And it’s very nice to meet you at last. Can you stay for
dinner?”

“Well,
guessing you’d better be asking Chance that question. It’s his house.” Jock
turned to him and found him busy kissing his wife.

“I’m
sure we’d all love to have you stay.” Rory saw his brother look up and the
twinge of a smile in the corner of his mouth. His brother wasn’t as unhappy as
he was making out. Now was his chance of standing back and making the most of
his life with Callie instead of worrying that his brothers needed all he had to
give.

Jock
grinned, winking at Gina. “How can I refuse such a heartfelt offer. It’ll give
me time to get to know all of you, especially this young man here.”

***

“Well,
let me get back to the kitchen and get some vegetables on. Its roast chicken,
biscuits, and gravy tonight.” She handed Fisher up to Rory and left them to it.
Hurrying into the kitchen she grabbed a tissue from the counter. There was so
much happening at the moment her emotions were all over the place. Giving into
a quick cry, she blew her nose and threw the tissue in the bin before washing
her hands. Gina cleaned a pile of potatoes and cut them into wedges to tuck
around the chicken to garner all the flavor she could. She was cutting up
pumpkin to add when Callie walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter.

“That
went better than I thought it was going to.”

“Didn’t
it? I was surprised Chance gave in that quick. When I heard the shouting I
thought all hell was going to break loose.” Gina walked over to the freezer and
took out a packet of frozen peas, then put them into a steamer.

“He
has to act tough, it’s just who he is. Heaven forbid he lets on he wants to get
to know his father again. That wouldn’t do his tough guy image any good.”
Callie poured herself a glass of water and skulled it.

“Do
you really think he does? I mean, after all he’s said about his dad and not
wanting to get involved again.” She put the lid on the pot and placed it on the
stove.

“Well,
he said the other night that it would be a shame for his own kids to grow up
without any grandparents at all, and his dad is the only one ours are going to
have.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess that made an impact on him and he
thought better of it.”

“That’s
lovely. I’m so please for them. Now I just have to wait and see if Fisher’s
grandparents are going to be as easy to please.” Gina pulled a face.

“What
do you mean? Spill it kid.”

“Layla
called today and told Rory that her and the other side’s lawyers have had a
meeting, and based on the evidence of my drug test and what they could find out
about me, they feel I was an innocent bystander caught up in all Aden’s drama.
If it wasn’t for him trying to distance himself away from his family for
whatever reason he did, they would have known about his problems and us as
well.”

“Of
course they would, and they could have had a relationship with the pair of you
too. In saying that, you wouldn’t be here now and that I’d miss.” Callie smiled
and leaned on the counter, watching Gina.

“Yes.
Everything happens for a reason and even though it was hard, I’m glad it turned
out this way. I have a whole new family and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Now we
just have to wait and see if they agree with the lawyers or it will be on.”

“Surely
they don’t want the press to get hold of this? I mean, it would make them look
pretty bad.”

“That’s
what I keep thinking. I’d be more than happy for Fisher to get to know them,
but there’s no way they’re taking my baby.” Gina pushed back the anxiety that
rose in her throat at the thought of someone taking Fisher from her.

“Bring
it on, I say. They don’t know what they’re in for if they pursue it through the
courts.”