Page 13 of Ridin' True

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Okay…” She paused for a moment, looking down at her notes as she thought. “What about child support? I assume that’s part of the arrangement and you’re current on payments?”

“She gets thirty-five percent of my income each month.”

Alexia’s manicured eyebrows shot up her forehead before she muttered in disbelief, “Thirty-five percent?”

“Yup.”

“But you have your kids fifty-percent of the time.”

“Yup. And at my house, their closets are full. They don’t have phones yet, so the only thing they lug from house to house are their backpacks during the school year.”

“Jed, at most, you should be paying twenty-five percent. Maybe even twenty-two. Thirty-five, given your arrangement, is outrageous.”

Wrangler shrugged. “I’ve got plenty. I work two jobs.”

“Okay,” Alexia murmured, finally setting aside her pen. She folded her hands in front of her and sat up straighter in her chair, as if she meant business. “May I be blunt?”

“Please,” he replied with a dip of his chin.

“I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch, but unless you’re keeping something from me, I don’t see how we can lose. Honestly, I’m surprised Nicole found an attorney who thinks a custody mediation in this scenario makes any sense.

“Now, that’s not to say I’m going to handle this lightly. Most of the time, mothers have a natural advantage; but in this case, you come with your own merits. Rest assured I’ll do my due diligence. I’ve got court tomorrow, but I should be able to knock this out before the end of the week. If you could send me what we discussed by the end of tomorrow, it would be very helpful. And let’s plan on meeting again on Monday to regroup.

“As far as strategy is concerned, it is going to be my recommendation that your current custody arrangement does not change. You haven’t broken the written agreement signed off by the court. Regardless of Nicole’s baseless concerns, her marital status has changedhercircumstances but not those of your children.

“And, on that note, I’m going to get your child support obligation within a reasonable amount. I’d also like to get in front of Nicole and her attorney as soon as possible. I don’t like to drag these things out for too long, especially when we’re the ones playing defense. I’m going to aim to have this sorted in the next two weeks. I believe you’ve already shared her attorney’s information, but if I have any follow-up questions, I’ll reach out.

“If we can’t settle this via mediation, I dare them to take us to court.”

When she was finished, she stood and held out her hand decisively.

Wrangler guessed that meant they were done.

He smirked and fought a broad smile as he joined her on his feet.

Her hand was small in his, but warm with a sure grip he liked.

He’d come to the right place.

Alexia Torres was a two for one special.

“Thank you.”

She nodded and released his hand. “Of course. We’ll be in touch.”

At that, his smile broke free.

He aimed it at his feet as he turned toward the door.

We certainly will be, he thought, headed for his hog.

He was kissing those lips the first chance he got.

Alexia

Iheldmybreathas I watched him leave, then blew it out slowly when I was all alone. Lowering myself back down into my chair, I stared at the now empty seat he’d occupied.