Page 49

W hen Caleb woke up this morning, he was full of questions about why we’re going to the courthouse.

While I made pancakes, Jensen explained that a judge will give him a special paper that says he’s Caleb’s dad.

He showed Caleb his birth certificate with his mom’s name and explained we need one that includes his dad’s name.

He asked what a courtroom looks like, and when Jensen showed him pictures, one with a gavel on the judge’s bench caught Caleb’s interest. Now he’s determined to use one himself.

I’ve just finished getting ready, and when I come out of the bathroom, my breath hitches when I see Jensen standing by his dresser, looking fine as hell in a white button-down, dark-wash Wranglers, and boots.

“Is that what you’re wearing to the courthouse?” I ask curiously.

Part of me expected him to wear a three-piece suit and polished Oxfords.

He glances down at his outfit. “Yeah, why? ”

I close the distance between us, straightening his collar. “You look very handsome.”

He dips his head to give me a kiss before his gaze drops to my outfit. “You’re absolutely stunning, and this dress is something else,” he says, rubbing a piece of the fabric between his fingers.

It’s a dusty rose chiffon with a cinched waist and a row of buttons down the bodice. I found it at Charlie’s boutique last year, but haven’t had a reason to wear it until now.

I smile against his lips. “I’m glad you like it.”

We’ve been in New York less than twenty-four hours, yet Jensen is already more relaxed than when we arrived. I suspect it’s because he’s found closure he once thought impossible.

At first, I was worried when I walked into his office last night and saw him wearing a somber expression, surrounded by albums, with a letter clutched in his hand.

After reading the letter, a sense of relief washed over me.

Jensen’s been drowning in guilt and confusion since learning about Caleb, doubting if he was enough for his son and wrestling with Amelia’s choice to keep Caleb from him for so long.

Although her letter can’t change the past, it provides Jensen with an explanation for her choices and a way to move forward without the weight of the past holding him back.

“Dad, Briar, can we go yet?” Caleb shouts from the hall. “I want to see the gavel.”

We break apart seconds before he bursts into the bedroom, grinning. Our plan is to tell him we’re together soon, but today is all about him. We also want to give him an opportunity to ask questions and take plenty of time to answer them.

I kneel down next to him, smoothing his hair. “Lookin’ mighty fine, little man.” He’s dressed almost identically to Jensen, right down to the crisp white shirt.

“He wanted us to match as a surprise for you,” Jensen adds, adjusting his cuffs .

Caleb throws his arms around my neck. “Are you surprised?!”

“Very,” I say with a smile. “You both look very handsome.”

He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Don’t tell Dad, but I like my comfy shirts better.”

I glance at Jensen who’s covering his mouth to keep from laughing.

“Tell you what,” I say to Caleb. “We’ll bring one with us and you can change when we’re finished at the courthouse. What do you think?”

He nods eagerly. “Can I bring Chompers?”

It was a big milestone when he finally shared the name of his beloved dino.

“Sure. You can hold him in the car, but while we’re out, he’ll need to stay in your backpack, sound good?”

“He won’t mind,” Caleb exclaims.

I stand as he rushes out of the room. Watching him find his voice and express himself has been a privilege. He’s grown so much since the start of the summer, and every day brings new adventures and discoveries about his personality.

I turn back to Jensen. “You ready for this?”

“I’ve been waiting for this day since I met Caleb,” he replies, voice thick with emotion.

Shortly after we arrive at the courthouse, a man in a charcoal-gray three-piece suit approaches us in the hallway. He looks to be in his thirties and carries a briefcase in his left hand. His piercing blue eyes flicker to Jensen, taking in his appearance with a hint of a smile.

Jensen grins when he glances over. “There you are. I was starting to think you might’ve bailed. ”

“Who are you, and what have you done with Jensen Harding?” The man observes, gesturing to Jensen’s outfit.

“My dad’s a cowboy now, just like me.” Caleb chimes in proudly with his hands on his hips.

The man’s brows lift. “No kidding? You both look sharp.”

“Caleb wanted to match for our special day,” Jensen tells him before motioning between us. “Briar, this is Dawson, my lawyer. Dawson, meet my Briar.”

I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He shakes my hand, his eyes darting between Jensen and me. “Guess Bluebell gave Jensen more than just a change in scenery.”

“Just helping him find his roots again,” I respond, offering Jensen a knowing smile.

Dawson glances at his watch, and I catch a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. “We’re next on the docket, so it shouldn’t be long now.”

He opens his suit jacket and takes an envelope from the inside pocket, handing it to Jensen. “Didn’t want to steal the spotlight today, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get another chance to give you this.”

Jensen takes the envelope, and I peek over his shoulder as he takes out an invitation. At the top, printed in large, elegant script, it says: The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of Dawson Tate & Reese Taylor.

His eyes widen as he glances over at Dawson “Wait. You’re getting married? Never thought I’d see the day.”

Dawson grins. “Reese graduated law school in May, and we’re finally making it official.”

“Congrats.” Jensen claps him on the back. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, man. I can’t wait to call her my wife,” Dawson says with a spark in his eyes.

Jensen mentioned that Dawson is the top attorney in New York and has a reputation for being ruthless in the courtroom. My first impression is that he’s not someone you’d want to cross. But when Reese’s name comes up, his whole demeanor changes, and it’s clear she means the world to him.

Caleb tugs on Dawson’s pant leg until he looks down at him.

“What’s up, kid?”

“I want to hold the gavel. Can you help me?”

Dawson blinks, caught off guard, his eyes darting to Jensen.

“I showed him some photos of courtrooms, and one had a gavel on the judge’s bench. Now he’s determined to give it a go.”

Dawson chuckles. “You’re in luck, kid. I know the judge handling your case, and I bet he’ll let you hold his gavel and maybe even use it to call the court to order, as long as you listen to your dad while we’re in there.”

Caleb bounces on the balls of his feet, barely holding back his excitement. “I’ll be the best listener ever, right Dad?”

“You bet, buddy,” Jensen says, bending down to ruffle his hair.

Their exchange makes my heart swell. The bond between father and son is unmistakable, from their matching outfits to the joy mirrored in their smiles. Sharing this special day with them is a gift, and I’m beyond grateful to be the woman who gets to love them both.

“Did we miss it?” Mama Julie’s voice echoes down the hall, and I turn to find her and Pops coming our way.

I’m stunned speechless, overwhelmed with gratitude at the sight of them.

I spoke with Mama Julie last night, but she didn’t say anything about coming.

I did mention how much I wished she and Pops could be here.

They love Caleb like their own grandchild, and it felt wrong that they’d miss Jensen finalizing custody.

They must have taken a red-eye flight to get here on time, and even though Pops isn’t fond of leaving Montana, they made the effort because they knew how much this meant to us.

The hearing may just be a formality, but it marks a new beginning for all of us, made even sweeter by the fact that Jensen and Caleb are staying in Bluebell for good.

“Mama Julie, Pops. You’re here,” Caleb exclaims, running straight toward them.

Pops bends down and scoops him up. “Hey there, buckaroo. Couldn’t let you have all the fun in the big city without us.”

“Did we miss the hearing?” Julie asks again, her heavy breathing hinting that they rushed here.

I shake my head. “No, we’re waiting on the judge. I can’t believe you came.”

Mama Julie waves a hand like it’s nothing. “There’s no chance we’d miss out on Caleb and Jensen’s special day.”

“We’re really glad you’re here,” Jensen adds with a grateful smile.

It reminds me that the Halsteads aren’t just my family, but his as well. I’m so grateful we both have such an amazing support system. Judging by Jensen’s expression, having Mama Julie and Pops here means the world to him, too.

“There’s nowhere else we’d rather be,” she replies, pulling him into a hug.

Dawson stands a few feet away, phone in hand, giving us space for our mini family reunion.

But the second the courtroom door opens and the court clerk calls his name, he squares his shoulders, shifting back into professional mode.

He bends down to grab his briefcase from the floor before turning to Jensen.

“It’s showtime,” he says before striding toward the open door.

Mama Julie, Pops, and Caleb trail closely behind, but before I follow, Jensen catches my hand and pulls me in for a quick hug.

“I love you. So much,” he whispers in my ear. “And as grateful as I am for today, I can’t wait until we’re back in Bluebell.”

“I love you most,” I reply with a wink. “Let’s go make this official.”

As we enter the courtroom, my heart feels like it might burst. I’m surrounded by the people I love most as the hearing begins. Jensen stands beside Caleb, his hand steady on his shoulder. Mama Julie, Samuel, and I sit in the row behind them.

After reviewing the will and legal papers, the judge asks Jensen a few brief questions, and within minutes, he grants him full custody, and extends his congratulations.

Next to me, Julie wipes away a tear as Samuel gently squeezes her hand. When Caleb asks the judge if he can use the gavel, Jensen looks back at me, grinning—happier than I’ve ever seen him. He mouths, “I love you,” and I mouth it back with a smile.

I exhale slowly, a sense of peace settling over me now that the legal part of Jensen and Caleb’s journey is complete. Whatever the future holds, I have my family—and that’s what matters most.