walk in the door, Shadow runs right up to River, sniffing her. Then, he attaches himself to her side. Right then, I know that dog is meant to be hers and I will train him to protect her and that baby.
When she does move out, it'll be good for her to have extra security. I don't like how my gut twists when I think of her moving. But I know I have time. While this stuff is going on with Jason's parents, she won't think about moving out. So I know I have at least until the baby is born before I need to start worrying about her moving.
"I think I'm going to go lay down for a bit. Is that okay?" she asks hesitantly.
"Of course. Go lie down and get some rest. I want to take some of the dogs outside to stretch their legs and do some outside training. That way, we don't wake you," I say, watching her walk down the hallway, Shadow right at her feet.
Taking a few of the dogs outside, I toss a ball and let them run around before putting them back in to the sunroom. Then I step out to the barn to call my mom and stepdad and give them an update.
"Hey baby, how are you and River doing?" My mom answers right away.
"We've definitely been better. Is George there too? Can you put me on speakerphone?" I want to talk to my stepdad, to make sure that they both know what is going on.
"Yes, honey, he's right here. Let me switch the phone over." Then, the background noise changes.
"Is everything all right?" My stepdad gets right to the point.
"When we were in town today, River was served with papers. Her forwarding address was a buddy’s shop in town. We were there visiting when she was served."
Then I read them the paperwork that we were given.
"I was afraid that it was going to be something on this based on the court ordered DNA test," my stepdad says.
"But this can't stand, can it? She hasn't even had the baby. They can't try to take it from her," Mom says, getting all worked up almost as if it was her own grandchild that was being threatened.
"I'm glad you got her license changed to Montana. With how little rights grandparents hold in the state, I'm not sure how they got a legit lawyer to even take on this case," my stepdad says.
I can picture him rubbing the bridge of his nose like he does when he gets annoyed.
"My buddy Jack used to be a really good lawyer, and he said he's going to look into all this," I tell them, hoping to calm their fears.
"What do you mean, used to be a lawyer?" my stepdad asks.
"He was really good at what he did, but the law office that he worked with made him defend criminals. When he had to defend people that admitted to him that they were guilty of horrible crimes, it weighed hard on him. Eventually, it pushed him over the edge, so he stopped practicing. After moving here, he opened an outdoor store and does pro bono work for charities in the area, particularly the women's shelter. He's helped some of the other guys out too, as needed."
When my stepdad asked for Jacks’ name and information to look him up, I give it to him.
"Now, what do you know about Jason's parents?" My stepdad is completely in lawyer mode, getting all the information needed. In a way, it's comforting to take the emotion out of it and stick to the facts right now.
"All I know is what Jason has told me over the years. He and River were really good friends and towards the end of high school, it became more. He decided to join the military. When he finished boot camp, he and River were married. Though his parents never approved of the military or River, and disowned him when they got married. He sent them a few letters with updates over the years, but never heard a word back.
What started all this is River sent them a letter letting them know about Jason's death and that they were going to be grandparents.
"She did nothing wrong by contacting them. In fact, it would have seemed odd if she didn't. But that this is their first conclusion, to try to take a child from a marriage they didn't even want to happen, just doesn't sit well with me. What about River? What do you know about her?"
"I've known her just as long as I've known Jason. They were married when we met. She was a foster kid, has no family, and bounced around from house to house until she found a somewhat steady place when she was in high school. But it's why Jason asked me to watch over her. He knew if anything were to happen to him, she didn't have anyone. At all the Unit’s events, River would help out, and she was always the first one to volunteer when someone needed help. She was very involved with the other military wives. But I don't know anything of her childhood. I never pried, as it wasn't my place."
"I understand. If she was a ward of the state, we should be able to get her file pretty easily."
"There's more than what you're telling us, "Mm says after being silent for so long. It's not an upset voice. Just that curious mom tone of wanting to find out what I'm holding back.
I don't know what to say because I hadn't planned to admit anything to my mom. Much less say the words of what I'm feeling out loud.
"I can hear it in your voice when you speak. There's something else there," Mom says gently. I don't keep secrets from my mom. I never have, and she knows that if she just keeps pushing long enough, I will break and tell her.
"It's absolutely the worst timing, and I don't even know what to do about it. But I'm starting to have feelings for her. While, I know how wrong it is and how much of a horrible friend it makes me, but with her living here, I don't know how to stop it."
"It doesn't make you a horrible friend. It makes you human. You're both bonding over a very traumatic event, and that's completely normal. Just be careful with your emotions and hers," Mom says. "You should bring her for dinner, as we'd like to officially meet her."
"I'll see what I can do. It'll be all up to how she's feeling."
We talk for a little longer, catching up on what's going on with them before I hang up and head back into the cabin. When I walk in through the sunroom where all the dogs are, they seem tense and on edge. Now I'm on full alert as I step into the main part of the cabin.
Moving down the hallway to check on the River, that's when I hear it. Even though her bedroom door is closed, I can still hear her crying through it. The sound of her weeping breaks my heart.
I stop in front of her bedroom door, which is cracked open. She is lying in bed with tears pouring down her face. I guess I should have known that the events of today would catch up with her.
Shadow is lying on her feet, but he looks at me like he's not sure what to do. Without even thinking about it, I slip off my shoes, climb into bed, and pull her into my arms.
"We're going to fight this together. And remember you're not alone anymore. You've got friends here," I say, holding her tighter.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't afford to pay Jack right now. Plus, they're your friends, and they're just being nice to me," she sobs.
"Jack isn't going to charge you anything. That's just how he rolls. Any other expenses that come with this, I am covering. Also, I can promise you they're your friends too. Those girls have accepted you as one of their own. There’s no going back." I place a kiss on the top of her head.
After holding her for a few minutes, she seems to calm down, so I tell her about the conversation I had with my mom and stepdad.
"Mom invited you to dinner. She wants to meet you."
"Your parents aren't going to like me. Better to just put it off as long as you can," she sighs, defeated.
"Where is that even coming from? My parents are going to love you." I reassure her.
"Jason's parents hated me from day one. Never really had anyone's parents like me," she says.
Now that she's done crying, I can clearly hear how tired she is.
"My parents are different. You just wait and see. They can't wait to meet you."
"Okay, I’ll take your word for it," she says doubtfully.
Neither one of us moves, and after a while her breathing evens out. Even though I can tell she's asleep, I just sit there and hold her. I really like having her in my arms and am not ready to let go of her just yet.
Kissing the top of her head, I make another promise that I'm going to take care of her no matter what. Then the sun sifts through the window and the wedding photo of her and Jason on her dresser catches my eye.
Jason, I hope you can forgive me for all this one day.