Read Her Christmas Hero for Free Online Page B

seats on the right of the judge’s desk. Britt was glad of the chair for support. Her legs were trembling. She drew a long breath, forcing herself to breathe in and out in a normal rhythm. But there was nothing normal about the fear gripping her throat.
    He was Phil’s lawyer kept running through her mind like a 9-1-1 call. Her hero, the man she’d put on a pedestal, was now supporting Phil to take Dillon from her. How could that be? He had to know Phil in some way. What had she revealed to him in the woods? Had she inadvertently hurt her case?
    She was searching for answers, but didn’t find any.Grip ping her hands together until they were bloodless, she looked around the room. The Texan and American flags hung in one corner. Polished dark wood and brass were all around her. Dark and forbidding—much like the feeling in her heart. She shivered.
    It took a full minute for her shock to dissipate and her strength to kick in. She didn’t care who Phil’s attorney was. Quentin Ross didn’t matter. Keeping her son did. She focused on that, but had to resist looking Quinn’s way. She couldn’t believe how hard that was.
    The judge entered from a side door and took her seat at the big desk. “Good afternoon,” she said, folding her hands on the file folders in front of her. “I’m Judge Evelyn Norcutt and we’re here today at the request of Phil Rutherford to modify custody of minor child Dillon Allan Rutherford.” She fingered a piece of paper on the desk. “I received this memo yesterday. Ms. Tibbs, I assume you’ve received it, too.”
    â€œYes, Your Honor.”
    â€œDo you have any objections?”
    â€œNo, Your Honor.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Britt whispered.
    â€œMr. Rutherford’s original attorney is ill and Mr. Ross is taking over.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me this?” she hissed.
    â€œI didn’t think it mattered.”
    â€œIt matters when—”
    â€œMr. Ross!” The judge’s strong voice broke through her words. “You’re taking a step down by visiting us in family court.”
    Quinn stood, and against her will Britt looked at him. In a dark blue suit, white shirt and a blue-striped tie he looked all-business. No mud, no grime, no mischievous grin, just business behind a brooding expression. She noticed his hairwas a medium blond streaked with an even lighter shade. Her guess would be that he spent a lot of time in the sun.
    With Deidre.
    Britt gritted her teeth. Quinn Ross meant nothing to her.
    â€œYour Honor, I’m helping out a friend. I spent a year in family law before switching to defense. I’m more than qualified to handle this case.”
    His deep, confident voice sliced through her as memories of lightning and thunder rumbled in her head.
    â€œI have no doubt.”
    Friend. She picked up on that one word. He was friends with Phil. She’d been married to Phil for six months and she’d never heard of him.
    The judge pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “I’ve gone over the petition Mr. Wallis filed with the court.” She glanced over the top of her glasses at Quinn. “I assume you’re up-to-date.”
    â€œYes, Your Honor. I spoke with Herb over the phone about every detail of the case.”
    â€œGood.” The judge opened a folder and pulled out papers. “Seems Mr. Rutherford is concerned about the amount of time Ms. Rutherford—”
    â€œIt’s Davis,” Britt corrected, before she could stop herself. “I took back my maiden name.”
    The judge looked up with a frown. “Davis, then. Mr. Rutherford is concerned about the amount of time Ms. Davis spends away from their son.”
    â€œYour Honor.” Mona was on her feet. “I’ve seen the petition and it’s completely misleading, a blatant attempt to discredit Ms. Davis’s abilities as a mother. Ms. Davis is an