Page 13

ELIAS

M onday dawns clear and cold, the mountains etched sharp against a cloudless sky. I've been awake for hours, my body still running on military time despite three days of interrupted sleep. Riley lies curled against my side, the curve of her spine pressed to my ribs, her breathing deep and even.

She needs the rest. The hearing at the county courthouse in Helena is set for ten, and the drive takes nearly two hours from my remote cabin.

I should wake her soon, but I allow myself a few more minutes to simply watch her sleep, to memorize the peaceful expression that only appears when she's deep in dreams.

These past three days have changed everything. Three days of learning Riley's body as thoroughly as my own. Three days of shared meals, shared showers, shared confidences. Three days of falling deeper into something I never expected to find, certainly not with Bill's daughter.

The memory of Bill no longer brings the crushing guilt it once did. Partly because of Sawyer's revelation that he knew how I felt about Riley. Partly because of Riley herself, who speaks of her father with such certainty that he would approve of us together.

But mostly because what's growing between us feels right in a way nothing else in my life ever has. As if some piece of me that's been missing has finally clicked into place.

"You're thinking too loudly," Riley murmurs, rolling over to face me without opening her eyes. "It's disturbing my beauty sleep."

A smile tugs at my lips despite the tension of the day ahead. "Good. You don't need beauty sleep, you’re already beautiful."

Her eyes open at that, green and clear and full of morning softness. "Smooth talker. Who knew grumpy Elias McKenna had it in him?"

I trace the curve of her cheek with my thumb, still marveling that I can touch her like this whenever I want. "Only with you."

She leans into my touch for a moment, then glances at the clock on the nightstand. Awareness of the day ahead filters into her expression, chasing away the lingering contentment.

"Time to face the music," she says with forced lightness.

"We'll win," I assure her, more conviction in my voice than I truly feel. The legal system has already failed Riley once, with the local judge denying her restraining order. But Rebecca Winters is the best attorney in the state, and the county court in Helena is beyond Cooper's sphere of influence.

"And if we don't?" Riley asks, the question hanging between us like a storm cloud.

I consider my answer carefully. She deserves honesty, not blind optimism. "Then we appeal. We fight. We find another way."

She studies my face, reading between the lines as she always does. "Legally, you mean. Not you taking matters into your own hands."

"Of course," I lie smoothly.

Riley sees through it immediately. "Elias. Promise me you won't do anything stupid if this doesn't go our way."

"I promise to be smart about whatever I do," I offer instead, unable to give the blanket assurance she wants. Not when I know exactly what I'm capable of if Riley remains in danger.

She sighs, recognizing the careful phrasing for what it is. "That's the best I'm going to get, isn't it?"

"For now." I press a kiss to her forehead before reluctantly breaking our connection. "We should get moving. Finn's already warming up the trucks."

Riley nods, throwing back the covers with a decisiveness that would make her father proud. As she heads for the shower, I allow myself one more moment of quiet contemplation.

Whatever happens in that courtroom today, one thing is certain, Riley Hart is mine now. To protect. To cherish. To love with everything I am. No judge, no legal decision, no Cooper can change that fundamental truth.

And God help anyone who tries.

The drive to Helena passes in tense silence. Riley sits beside me in my truck, Finn following behind in his own vehicle. Sawyer and Rebecca will meet us at the courthouse, bringing the documentation we need for the hearing.

"Is Rebecca really the best?" Riley asks as we pass the halfway point, clearly seeking distraction from her spiraling thoughts.

"The best," I assure her, reaching across the console to take her hand. Her fingers are cold despite the truck's heater blasting at full capacity. "Try not to worry. We've got solid evidence. Cooper's restraining order attempt against you was denied last week, which works in our favor."

Riley squeezes my hand, drawing strength from the connection. "I just want this over with. Want to start living without looking over my shoulder constantly."

"You will," I promise, the words carrying the full weight of my conviction. "We will."

We lapse back into silence until the outskirts of Helena appear ahead, the small city nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains.

Unlike Grizzly Ridge's remote wilderness, Helena pulses with the activity of Montana's capital.

Government buildings, businesses, and traffic create a stark contrast to the peaceful isolation we've left behind.

The county courthouse stands in the center of town, an imposing stone structure with classical columns and broad steps leading to heavy wooden doors. Sawyer's sheriff's department SUV already sits in the parking lot, Finn pulling in beside it as I find a space.

"Ready?" I ask, cutting the engine.

Riley takes a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. "As I'll ever be."

I circle the truck to open her door, my hand settling at the small of her back as we approach the courthouse steps. The possessive gesture is deliberate, a statement to anyone watching that Riley is under my protection. That she's mine in all the ways that matter.

Sawyer meets us at the entrance, his sheriff's uniform lending an official air to our group. "Rebecca's already inside, finalizing the paperwork. Cooper's here too, with his attorney."

My muscles tense at the news. "Has he tried anything?"

"Not yet." Sawyer's expression is grim. "But the day's young."

We enter the courthouse, passing through security and following Sawyer's lead to a small conference room where Rebecca waits. She rises as we enter, extending a hand to Riley.

"Ms. Hart. I'm Rebecca Winters," she introduces herself, her professional demeanor softened by genuine warmth. "I've reviewed your case thoroughly. We have a strong position."

Riley shakes her hand, some of the tension visibly leaving her shoulders. "Thank you for taking this on such short notice."

"Any friend of the McKennas is a friend of mine," Rebecca says with a smile. "Besides, I've been wanting to take Ronald Cooper down a peg for years. This gives me the perfect opportunity."

The meeting proceeds efficiently, Rebecca outlining our strategy, asking Riley a few clarifying questions, and preparing her for what to expect in the courtroom. I remain at Riley's side throughout, my presence a silent promise of support.

"The hearing is scheduled for courtroom three in fifteen minutes," Rebecca concludes, gathering her papers. "Any questions before we head in?"

Riley shakes her head. She looks stronger than I've ever seen her, courage shining through the fear that's shadowed her since Cooper first put his hands on her.

Pride surges through me. This woman, who's been through hell and back, who's faced down threats and isolation and fear, still stands tall. Still fights. Still refuses to be broken by the man who tried to crush her spirit.

In that moment, watching her prepare to face Cooper in court, I know with absolute certainty that I will spend the rest of my life loving her. The realization gives me pause. Love. I’m in love Riley Hart, which makes it even more dangerous for anyone who tries to hurt her.

"Let's do this," Riley says, rising from her chair.

As we exit the conference room, heading toward courtroom three, a voice calls out from the corridor ahead.

"Riley! Wait up!"

We all tense, my hand automatically reaching for a weapon that isn't there. But it's not Cooper's voice. It's a woman, blonde and petite, hurrying toward us with purpose in her stride.

"Sophie?" Riley's surprise is evident as she recognizes her friend from the diner. "What are you doing here?"

"Supporting you, obviously." Sophie reaches us, slightly out of breath. "And I'm not the only one."

She gestures toward the courtroom doors, where a small crowd has gathered. I recognize faces from Grizzly Ridge. Maggie from the diner. Hilda from the general store. Several of Riley's former classmates. Even Mrs. Henderson, the elderly town librarian who taught Riley to read when she was six.

"They all came for me?" Riley's voice wavers with emotion.

"Of course they did, honey," Sophie says, linking her arm through Riley's. "Brad Cooper might have his father's money, but you've got the town's heart."

Tears well in Riley's eyes, but she blinks them back, straightening her spine. "Thank you. All of you."

As we approach the courtroom, the doors open from within. Cooper emerges, flanked by his attorney, his father a half step behind. He stops short at the sight of our group, surprise quickly morphing into carefully controlled anger.

"Well, well," he drawls, eyes fixed on Riley. "The prodigal daughter returns, with her entourage of small town nobodies." His gaze shifts to me, hardening with malice. "And her geriatric boyfriend, of course."

The insult rolls off me like water. I've been called far worse by far more dangerous men than Brad Cooper. But Riley tenses beside me, anger flashing in her eyes.

"At least I have people willing to stand with me," she replies, voice steady despite her clear disdain. "All you have is your daddy's money and a reputation that's crumbling by the day."

Cooper's carefully constructed facade cracks slightly, rage seeping through. "Enjoy your moment, Riley. It won't last. When this is over, everyone will know exactly what kind of woman you really are."

Before I can respond, Sawyer steps forward, placing himself between Cooper and Riley. "That's enough. Save it for the judge."