RICO DROVE HOME SPENT. The talk with Ana had robbed him of his last bit of energy and he blocked out everything, especially her words.
He carried Dusty into the bunkhouse and put him to bed, making sure he was covered and warm. Mickey’s barking had woken him briefly, but he was exhausted and out for the night.
Rico collapsed into his recliner and his thoughts played hopscotch, jumping from one wrong to another, but one thing was very clear. He’d screwed up so bad Ana wasn’t ever going to forgive him or love him again. He’d hurt her. He winced at the knowledge. How could he have gotten this so wrong? And what did he do now?
He saw the McGregor papers lying on the coffee table. They meant nothing without her. He reached back and flipped off the light, submerging himself in darkness, and drifted off to a place where only pain lived. A place he was very familiar with.
He awoke at five to searing pain in his heart. If Miss Doris hadn’t had the heart attack, he and Ana would’ve been together and they would’ve made the decision about Dusty together. The way it should have been. But now he had to fight for Dusty alone and be prepared to handle the outcome. Without Ana. That created a pain so deep in his chest that he had trouble breathing.
Dusty awoke at six and wanted his boots. Rico put them on him and he ran around the bunkhouse with Mickey chasing after him. The trauma of the night before seemed a lifetime away. While Dusty played, Rico called Miss Kate and told her what had happened. He couldn’t talk about Ana and the walls he’d happily destroyed were taking root once again. He could feel them.
Rico gave Dusty a good bath and cleaned his fingernails and toenails. He had no clothes to put on him so he dressed him in the same clothes. Later, he drove to Temple to buy the boy some clothes and to get his hair cut. First, he had something he needed to do.
Miss Doris was sitting up in bed with a breakfast tray in front of her. “Oh, Rico, I’m so glad you’re here.” She glanced at Dusty on his shoulder. “You have the boy.”
“Yes, ma’am.” And he told her a little bit about last night.
Miss Doris looked around him. “Where’s Anamarie?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Okay.”
Rico was surprised she was so amenable. He felt sure she had a dozen or more questions, but he wasn’t discussing Ana.
“Thank you, Rico, for what you did yesterday.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” was all he could say.
“I’ve been an old fool, judgmental and stupid. I’m so sorry for the way I’ve treated you. You’re everything Anamarie said you were—a wonderful man.”
Rico left soon after. He couldn’t stay and listen to all the praise. He wasn’t a wonderful man. After shopping at Walmart, which was the only place open, they went home. Dusty was clingy and Rico knew he had to talk to the boy.
Dusty sat in his lap, his head on Rico’s chest. “Tell me what happened.”
Dusty lifted his head and twisted his fingers like he always did when he was nervous or excited. “My mommy’s still sick.”
“I know, buddy.”
Dusty knew his mother was on drugs. That was so awful for a little boy. His and Dusty’s stories were much alike and maybe that’s why they’d connected so strongly.
“I not go back.” Dusty shook his hand. “I stay here with you and Ana.”
He’d told Dusty that Ana’s mother was in the hospital and she needed to be there with her. He couldn’t tell him Ana wasn’t coming back. He could barely think it in his head. But soon he would have to face that possibility.
* * *
RICO SPENT THE afternoon on the phone with Gabe and Wyatt going over details so he would have a strong case and a good chance of getting custody. Then he called the principal to see if he could get Dusty back into school while he was here. There was no problem. The principal put Dusty in Remi’s kindergarten class so he would feel comfortable.
Dusty was excited to go back to school. He left him safely in Remi’s hands and headed back to Temple.
He had a lot to do today and seeing Robert Francis McGregor was at the top of the list. He was early, but the office was open. The lawyer was packing, putting books and things in boxes.
They shook hands and Rico took a seat.
“I’ve said thank you so much that it seems rather lame for this kind of gift.”
“It’s enough, Mr. Johnson.” The lawyer pulled some papers forward. “I’m doing a transfer of title for tax reasons.”
“Sounds good to me, but I wanted you to know that in about two hours I’m meeting Miss Kate Rebel at the courthouse and I’m changing my name to Rebel.”
“I’ll update the papers, but it won’t be finalized until March first when I receive the hundred thousand.”
“You’ll have it before then.”
“I have no doubt.”
The lawyer handed Rico some keys and then held out his hand. “I’ll notify you when the truck comes to pick up the items my parents want.”
“Sure. I’ll be there to make sure everything is loaded.”
“I’m glad you came in early because I wanted to let you know that I’m closing the office for good on Wednesday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. From now on our transactions will be through my Dallas office.” He handed him a business card. “All the information is there if you need to ask a question. Thank you for being so kind to my grandfather. He looked forward to those mornings you spent with him and there wasn’t much in this world he looked forward to anymore.”
They talked a few minutes more and Rico left. Outside in the truck he took a moment. It was Thanksgiving week. With everything that was going on he’d forgotten. He’d been looking forward to the holidays with Ana. Their first holiday and now he would spend it alone.
* * *
HE MADE IT back to Horseshoe in time to meet Miss Kate at the courthouse. When Miss Kate’s truck drove in, Rico got out and paused as seven more trucks followed. All the brothers had come for the name change. His connection to the Rebels was rock solid and they were all he had in this time of angst.
Gabe met them inside the courthouse and handed a clerk some papers for a name change. It was simple and in a matter of minutes Rico became Jericho Johnson Rebel.
There were handshakes and hugs all around as they made their way out of the courthouse. Quincy and Rico stood beside Grandpa as he made his way down the steps.
Everyone left to go back to work, but Gabe stayed behind and soon Wyatt walked up. Once Wyatt was there, Gabe said, “I have some bad news. Connie Grimes has filed for custody of Dusty. Wyatt pulled some strings and Judge Carvel worked it into his schedule on Wednesday before the holiday break. It’s at one o’clock.”
“What?” Rico was numb, but not surprised. Ana was right. They were going to jerk Dusty around some more and Rico would be left to deal with the pain.
“She has a good job and so does her husband. They live in a good neighborhood in Austin. This is a problem as the judge always wants to place a child with family.”
“I got this.” Wyatt spoke up. “Don’t worry about it.”
What could Wyatt do now that he couldn’t do before?
* * *
ANA WENT THROUGH the motions of everyday life, not allowing herself to think of what she was losing. She wasn’t his maid or his housekeeper. She wanted to be his lover, his wife, his life partner. She needed to know that she counted.
On Sunday she cried most of the day with Dusty’s drawing clutched to her chest, getting caught up in all the emotions that plagued her. That afternoon she got herself together enough to go see her mother. Her eyes were red and blotchy and she knew her mother was going to ask questions. But it didn’t keep her from going.
As soon as Anamarie walked into the room, her mother asked, “What’s wrong?”
Luckily her mother was alone. Frank and Teresa had spent the morning with her and she was exhausted from all the company. Her father had gone home to take a nap.
“Anamarie?”
“What?” Ana brought her thoughts back to her mother, and to keep her from asking more questions she added, “Patsy said the doctor gave you a good report and you might go home tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Her mother was sitting in a comfy chair with pillows propped behind her back. “I don’t know, Anamarie.” Her mother picked at the blanket over her lap. “I’m getting older and I’m thinking of turning over the bakery to Bubba and Margie. You were right, she’s good at making kolaches. And I can spend more time with your dad.”
Anamarie’s mouth fell open and she quickly closed it. “Mom, did you hit your head when you fell?”
“Why?” Her mother glanced up. “You think I’m talking out of my head?”
“Well, it’s not like you to be so docile.”
“When you have a close call with death, it changes everything and now I can see how relentless and unyielding I’ve been. I want to cherish my children and to be a part of their lives. Teresa and Frank want us to come visit and I think Willard and I will do that. I want to see more of my grandchildren.”
Anamarie sat on the bed, completely flabbergasted by her mother’s change of attitude.
“Now, tell me why you’ve been crying.”
Anamarie bit her lips and decided to be completely honest and tell her mother what had happened.
“I knew something was wrong when Rico came with the little boy.”
“He came and had Dusty with him?”
“Yes, but he was half asleep on Rico’s shoulder. From what Rico said, he’d been through a rough night.”
Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it, she kept repeating in her head. She had to be strong.
“I know how you’re feeling,” her mother said, and that was an odd thing for her to say because her mother never knew what Anamarie was feeling. “When I married your father, he was a momma’s boy. He thought his mother was God and I always came second. It took me a lot of years to realize he loved us in different ways.”
“This is not the same, Mom.”
“I don’t think that’s true. You don’t feel loved and I didn’t, either. Rico’s the type of man who has this need to help people. That’s why he helped Egan and that’s why he went into that school to help those kids. He’s the type of man who never thinks of himself. You told me over and over what a wonderful man he is and now you have to ask yourself is that true or not.”
Ana slid from the bed. “I have to go.”
“Think about what I said. You love Rico. Are you willing to lose him over this?”
She couldn’t shake her mother’s words. They kept running through her head. She went to sleep that night with the question pounding in her head. Was she willing to lose Rico?
* * *
RICO TRIED TO get through each day as best he could for Dusty’s sake, but he kept thinking about Dusty’s aunt. Could she be a good mother? He wasn’t going to set himself up again to get knocked down. If the court was leaning toward Connie, he had to know if she would treat Dusty as her own. On Tuesday, he went to see Wyatt, but he was out. Rico had to pick up Dusty so it had to wait until tomorrow and Wednesday was the hearing. Time was running out. Rico had to make a decision.
Early Wednesday morning Rico caught Wyatt in his office. Taking a seat in the wood chair he’d used a lot lately, he said, “I’d like to talk about Connie Grimes.”
Wyatt frowned. “Connie Grimes? Rico, there’s no way she’s going to get Dusty.”
“You can’t say that for sure and I need to know something about her.”
“Rico…”
“Tell me all you know.”
Wyatt sighed. “She’s a shopaholic and likes expensive things. She owes money everywhere and Wendy spent most of her life paying Connie’s bills. The husband owns a bar and works nights. Does that sound like they’d make good parents?”
“No, but…”
Wyatt frowned. “What’s this about? You’re giving up too easy and that’s not you.”
Rico had no choice but to tell him what happened. “I screwed up, Wyatt. I screwed up real bad.”
“So, every man screws up. Didn’t you know that?” Wyatt pointed toward Anamarie’s shop. “Go over there and talk to her. Talk this out. This is the most important thing you’ll ever do in your life. I know you, Rico. You cannot give up on that little boy.”
“I don’t want to, Wyatt, but I don’t want to get my heart crushed again, either. And I have to think about Anamarie.”
“Go,” was all Wyatt had to say.
Rico walked across the courthouse lawn to Ana’s shop. He could see her inside moving around in the kitchen. What they said now would determine their future. And Dusty’s. Their decision had to be a mutual agreement between two people who loved each other. And this time he wasn’t going to get it wrong. He just hoped she listened.
* * *
ANAMARIE GOT A call for a wedding cake and she decided to make it weddingly. She smiled for the first time in days. Then she looked up and saw Rico standing in her doorway. He was here!
She took a deep breath and walked to the front area. “What is it, Rico?” She tried to keep her voice calm while inside butterflies swarmed her stomach.
With his hat in his hand, he asked, “Could we talk?”
“Sure.” She braced herself for what was to come, but didn’t know how much longer she could resist him. His strong, honed features were sharp and pronounced and pain was vivid in his dark eyes. Her heart ached for the pain he was going through. Pain she’d inflicted on him because of her insecurities.
“Connie Grimes has filed for custody of Dusty.”
“What?”
“She and her husband want to raise him. She’s Dusty’s aunt and a judge will look at that. I was thinking about withdrawing from the custody hearing and allow Dusty’s aunt to raise him.”
“Why would you do that?” She couldn’t believe her ears.
He twisted his hat in his hands and then he looked up, those gorgeous dark eyes gazing right into hers as if he could see right into her soul. “I can survive losing Dusty, but I can’t survive losing you.”
“Oh…” Her trembling hand touched her mouth and she wanted to say so many things, but emotions congealed in her throat.
“I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to get in touch with you, but I couldn’t leave Dusty in the hell he was in. He asked for me and I couldn’t ignore that.”
“And you shouldn’t have. Dusty needed you and he still does. My problem is not with Dusty. I love him as much as you do. My problem was that you made me feel like a surrogate mother. I just wanted to know I counted in your life as more than a mother for Dusty.”
He looked down at his hat and then back at her. “I’ve loved you since the first moment I met you. Do you remember where that was?”
She swallowed hard. “At…at the bakery.”
“I came in to buy kolaches for Egan’s dog, and your mother and that other lady wouldn’t wait on me. They ignored me. Then you came over and asked, with a smile as big as Texas, ‘May I help you?’ Do you know what words ran through my mind when you asked that?”
“No.” She held her breath.
“For the rest of my life.”
“O-h.”
“I love you. I will always love you.”
“Oh, Rico.” She flew into his arms. He grabbed her and held her tight against his chest. “I love you. I love you,” she breathed against his lips. His hat fell to the floor and he took her lips in a passionate kiss. Her doubts drifted away, as did everything else. They had each other and that’s what Ana wanted. She had his love.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Now we have to decide what to do about Dusty.”
She leaned back and looked into his eyes. “Is there any question?”
“I was raised by my great-grandmother, as you know, and Dusty might benefit from being raised by a relative.”
She touched the scar on his face, feeling the rough edges and cringing at how it had been put there. “I don’t want you to give up on Dusty. You love him, and can you honestly believe Connie Grimes will be a good parent?”
He caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I want to keep Dusty for you, for us. I want him to be the child you can never have. That’s always been my wish.”
Through a smile she blinked back a tear. “Then let’s fight for him and together we can handle the outcome.”
He held her tight, his chin resting on her head. She snuggled closer, just needing to be near him to feel his warmth, his love. “When’s the hearing?”
“Today at one.”
She pushed back. “Rico, we don’t have much time.”
“I know.”
She made a decision in an instant. “Let’s get married. Wyatt can marry us.”
“No, I want you to have the big wedding.”
“I don’t need the big wedding and all the trappings. I just need you in my life for good. And we need to start that adventure today.”
He gave in easily and she took his hand and they walked across the courthouse lawn to Wyatt’s office.
Wyatt was alone, talking on the phone. “Come in,” he said, his hand over the mouthpiece. After he hung up he asked, “What can I do for you guys?”
“Can you marry us?” Rico asked.
“Huh…yeah…huh…” Clearly, they’d shocked the sheriff.
Wyatt fumbled around and pulled out a big book and a small book. They held hands and stood in front of Wyatt’s desk.
“I haven’t done this in a while so you’ll have to bear with me,” Wyatt said. “First I need some information.” They answered all of Wyatt’s questions and Wyatt filled out the form. “I almost forgot to put Rebel on here.”
“Rebel?” Ana asked.
Wyatt looked at Rico. “You haven’t told her?”
“I haven’t had time.” Rico turned to her. “That’s what the meeting with the Rebels was about. Miss Kate asked me to change my name. She said she sees me as one of her sons. I was going to tell you on Saturday night.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. You are a Rebel.” She hugged him until Wyatt interrupted.
“Let’s get back to the wedding.” Wyatt picked up the little book and started the ceremony. In minutes they said I do and were married. They didn’t have rings, but that didn’t matter. They shared a long kiss and Wyatt took pictures with his phone.
“Something to remember this day,” Wyatt said with a smile.
They hugged Wyatt and then got into Rico’s truck and drove to the ranch. They held hands the whole way and several times she reached over to kiss his cheek. She couldn’t seem to stop touching him. She was so happy. When they reached the bunkhouse, Ana stepped into the house where she’d shared so much love. In that moment she knew she was home. This was where she belonged.
* * *
AFTER RICO CALLED Gabe to update the filing with Ana’s name, he swung her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. A long time later they lay entwined just savoring the moment. Then he told her about the McGregor gift.
Her eyes grew big. “Rico, that’s unbelievable. You made Mr. McGregor’s last days happy.” She stroked his face. “You’re such a wonderful man.”
“I’m going to work very hard to make the McGregor property a showplace once again and I’m going to work even harder on Rebel Ranch so it will always make a profit. I don’t have to prove myself to Miss Kate, but I want her to know how grateful I am for the life she’s given me.”
They talked until it was time to go to the courthouse and they were now both strong enough to face whatever happened.
* * *
THE COURTHOUSE WAS ablaze with Christmas. The town was getting a jump on the holiday. Two big wreaths adorned the large double doors. A bare twenty-foot Christmas tree stood on the lawn waiting to be decorated after Thanksgiving. In the foyer there was a smaller tree and more wreaths were on all the office doors. Fresh Douglas fir garlands and red bows hung everywhere and poinsettias were in every available space. A pine scent hung heavy in the air.
The courtrooms were upstairs and it was much the same. Two bigger courtrooms were to the right and the small family courtroom was to the left. Everything was quiet and no one was around.
The door suddenly opened, shaking the wreath on it. “Court in ten minutes,” the woman said.
“Thanks, Brenda,” Ana replied.
“You know her?” Rico asked as they walked in to the room.
“Oh, yeah. Brenda’s been around forever. She comes into the bakery.”
One day he hoped he would know everyone in this small town, but since he was a loner he only knew the people he came into contact with. Now that he had officially plunged into the Rebel clan he had a feeling that would change.
The judge’s bench was straight ahead with the US and the Texas flag behind it. Two small tables were in front of the judge’s bench with two chairs at each. Other chairs were scattered about. The room would only hold about twenty people.
“Where is everyone?” Ana asked as they took seats at one of the small tables.
As the words left her mouth, Connie Grimes and a tall man who Rico assumed was her husband walked in, followed by a young woman who had to be the lawyer. They sat at the other table.
Rico looked back at the door wondering where Gabe was. He should’ve been here by now. And Wyatt? He felt sure Wyatt would be here.
Ana touched his thigh. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, and he settled back and waited for the gut-wrenching decision.
Just as Brenda came out of the side door, Gabe rushed in with files under his arm and a briefcase in his hand. “Sorry, I’m late but I was on the phone with Sergeant Chisholm. Darlene Miller is showing signs of waking up and he’s over at the hospital to see if he can get any information that would help us.” Gabe looked around. “Where’s Wyatt?”
“He’s not here,” Rico replied. “Is Darlene going to recover?” That was upmost in his mind.
“Don’t know yet. It’s touch and go at the moment, but the sergeant will keep us informed.”
“The Honorable Judge Harvey Carvel,” Brenda announced, and the judge walked in and took a seat at the bench. The man was probably in his sixties with thinning gray hair, and wore a black robe. Rico had lived in Horseshoe for a lot of years and he’d never met the man.
Before the judge could speak, Wyatt walked in with a big folder in his hand. He took a seat behind them.
The judge stared at him. “Wyatt, what are you doing in my courtroom?”
“I have a personal interest in this case, Judge.”
“Okay.” The judge looked down at the file in front of him. “We are here today to decide custody of minor child Dustin Miller. Connie Miller Grimes, an aunt, has filed for custody, as has Mr. Rebel…” The judge blinked and glanced at Rico. “Is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Rico replied. “I’ve become a member of the Rebel family.”
“I see.” The judge pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. “As I was saying, Mr. Rebel and his wife have also filed for custody.” He folded his hands over the file. “I would like to say that I’m extremely sorry for everything this little boy has gone through and take the responsibility of finding him a forever home personally. As of today I am terminating Darlene Miller’s maternal rights.”
Connie’s lawyer got to her feet. “Your Honor…”
“And you are?” the judge asked.
“Sharon Hildebrand, attorney for Connie Miller Grimes.”
“Go ahead.”
“Mrs. Grimes is the biological aunt of Dustin Miller. She sincerely wants to raise her nephew. At best a child should be given the opportunity to be raised by family.”
“I agree, Ms. Hildebrand. I always try to place children with relatives. In later years they are grateful for that and to have a connection to the family they were born into.”
No, no! They couldn’t do this again. Rico was screaming inside, but he remained silent. He had to trust in justice this time. Ana reached for his hand and he held it just to know he wasn’t in this alone.
Wyatt got up and slapped a big folder in front of the judge. “There’s everything you ever wanted to know about Connie Miller Grimes.”
“Wyatt, this is highly unusual and I take offense at you interrupting my court.”
“Read it.” Wyatt jabbed a finger at the folder.
Footsteps sounded outside and Rico looked back to see Miss Kate, Grandpa and the brothers walk in, followed by Miss Doris, Willard and the Wiznowski clan.
“Miss Kate, this is a closed courtroom,” the judge told her.
“It’s okay, Harvey. We won’t make a sound.”
Before the judge could reply, shouts echoed outside the courtroom. “What’s going on, Wyatt?”
Wyatt looked out of the only window in the room. “This doesn’t look good, Harvey.”
Ana’s phone binged and she showed it to Rico. It was a video of what was going on outside. People were carrying signs that read: Justice for Dusty. Justice for Dusty and Rico. Justice Today. He saw the principal, the owner of the hardware store who wouldn’t sell anything to him unless Falcon approved, the auto parts store owner who did the same thing, the president of the bank who called Miss Kate the moment he had walked in—he was afraid Rico would rob the place—the owner of the feed store who also refused to sell him anything until Miss Kate had a stern talk with him. People who had shunned him for years were everywhere carrying signs.
“Most of the town is out there,” Ana whispered. “They’re supporting you.”
“No, they’re supporting us.”
Ana shook her head. “No, this is about you and your involvement in this community. You’re a big part of it.”
For the first time he had to admit that maybe he was.
“Wyatt, get those people off the courthouse lawn.”
“I can’t, Harvey. They’re protesting peacefully and it’s legal. Just make a ruling and let’s get this over with.”
Gabe’s phone binged. He took it and then stood up. “Your Honor, Darlene Miller just passed away.”
“Oh, my poor sister,” Connie wailed and her husband put his arm around her shoulders.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Grimes,” the judge said.
“Your Honor, there’s more,” Gabe interrupted. “I’ve been in contact with Sergeant Chisholm of the Austin Police Department. He was at the hospital and said that Darlene was conscious for a few minutes. She became agitated and the nurse asked if she wanted to write something. She had a breathing tube and couldn’t speak. This is what she wrote.” Gabe took his phone to the judge and laid it in front of him. “It’s barely legible, but I think you can read it.”
The judge read the message and Ana clutched Rico’s hand. “What do you think she wrote?”
“I don’t have any idea. We just have to wait.” But he held on to her hand as if his life depended on it.
The judge looked at Connie. “Mrs. Grimes, I’d like for you to hear what your sister wrote. As Gabe has said, it’s barely legible, but her message is clear.” He took a breath and read from Gabe’s phone. “Dusty. Home. Take Mr. Johnson. Not sister.”
“She doesn’t mean that,” Connie spat.
“Your Honor.” Ms. Hildebrand got to her feet. “Mrs. Grimes is his blood aunt and…”
“Ms. Hildebrand, you’re not going to pull that one on me. You see, I did some checking on Connie Miller Grimes. I didn’t want to make the mistake I made with Darlene Miller. I wanted to be sure that little boy gets the home he deserves after all he’s been through. So I talked to the neighbors of Wendy Miller. She’s had custody of Dusty on and off since he was born. This last time she had him a little over a year. She received government assistance for Dustin because she had no income except for her disability check. You know what I found, Mrs. Grimes?”
“Those old busybodies hate me and would say anything to hurt me.”
“I’ve known these ladies all my life and they’re as honest as the day is long. Every first of the month you showed up on your mother’s doorstep for Dusty’s government check and she signed it over to you.”
“I was going through a rough time and needed the money. Mom understood that.”
“I seriously doubt that, but you were her daughter and she always wanted to help you. But in doing that you took food from your nephew’s mouth. Toward the end of the month they had very little money. Dustin would bring a half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school with part of an apple. That’s how much you thought of your nephew and you have the nerve to come in here today to file for custody. I’m throwing out your claim.”
“Your Honor…” Ms. Hildebrand wasn’t giving up.
The judge picked up the file Wyatt had laid on his desk and handed it to Brenda who stood to the side. “Give this to Ms. Hildebrand. I’m sure it’s everything she doesn’t know about Connie Miller Grimes.”
“I object.” The lawyer was hanging tough.
The judge ignored her. “I’m awarding full custody of the minor child Dustin Miller to Jericho Johnson Rebel and Anamarie Wiznowski Rebel.”
Ana threw her arms around his neck and he held her so tight his arms hurt. They’d won. Dusty was now their little boy.
Before the judge could bang his gavel, Gabe grabbed papers out of his briefcase and walked to the bench. “Your Honor, these are adoption papers I filed back in June. If you would sign them today, it would give Dustin Miller his forever family.”
“My pleasure.” The judge signed the papers and then banged his gavel. “This court is adjourned.”
Rico held onto Ana, hardly believing that it was over. Ana sobbed onto his chest, “We have a son, Rico, the most wonderful little boy in the whole world. He’s ours and no one can ever take him again.”
She couldn’t seem to stop crying. He cupped her face in his hands and wiped away tears with his thumbs. “Hey, don’t fall apart on me now.”
“I’m not. I’m just so happy.” She kissed his hand. “I love you. I thought no one would ever love me or that I would ever have a child of my own. You have given me everything.”
“Hey.” He touched her lips gently. “I love you right back. You gave me love and I will be grateful for that every day that I’m with you.” He wrapped his arms around her and they stood as one for now and always.
He was a husband, a father and a part of a big family. And the community that once had shunned him had accepted him and supported him today in a way he’d never expected. If he ever doubted there was a God, he didn’t anymore. Someone had a hand in everything that had happened to him. Someone supreme and more powerful than any man on earth.
Shouts echoed from outside; they’d heard the good news. Jericho Johnson Rebel had finally found a place where he belonged.
He’d found home.