overhead.

Somehow, that added to the foreboding atmosphere reserved for places where justice was purportedly meted out.

At the behest of his family, Caitlin's father had become a lawyer.

She wasn't unfamiliar with places like this.

He'd brought her to the courthouse with him more than once when meeting

a friend or when last-minute details necessitated his presence.

He wanted his daughter to see where he pleaded his cases.

She'd been in awe then.

But that was because her father had made everything seem wonderful.

She tried to imagine how this place would look to a seven-year-old

seeing it for the first time.

A seven-year-old who didn't have a father to make this into a grand

adventure for him.

As if sensing her thoughts, Jake tugged on his father's arm.

"When this is over, Dad, am I gonna go home with you and Caitlin?"

A sliver of fear echoed in the uncertain voice.

As he walked down the corridor bracketed by Caitlin and Graham, Jake

had his hand tucked into his father's as if that would keep him safe.

She knew the feeling.

There was something about Gray's presence that made you feel no harm

would ever penetrate the aura he cast.

But he wasn't answering his son.

Glancing at Graham, Caitlin saw the debate warring in his eyes.

He was torn between comforting Jake and preparing him for what might

happen.

This wasn't a time to be completely honest.

" ) Yes," she answered firmly.

"You're coming home with us." Graham looked at her over his son's

head. Now that they were just minutes away from the informal hearing

in the judge's chambers, he didn't want to make promises to the boy that might be overturned by a whimsical magistrate.

Ultimately, Jake would remain his, one way or another.

Even if he had to move heaven and earth to accomplish it.

But as far as the immediate situation went, fate Might have different ideas.

He didn't want to undermine Jake's confidence in him by promising him one thing and then having the exact opposite happen.

Hedging, he tried to brace Jake for the worst.

"You Might have to visit with your mother for a little while, but then

-" "No."

Jake pulled his hand free and dug his brand-new shoes into thepatterned vinyl floor, refusing to move."I don't want to."His eyes were huge, frightened.He didn't remember his mother very well.All he remembered was that she'd left him.And his father hadn't."I want to stay with your Jake was begging. She couldn't stand it.Caitlin took his hand and squeezed, silently comforting him." Then you will.

He looked from his father to Caitlin, hope shining in his dark brown eyes.

"No matter what?"

"No matter what."

It would have been cruel to say anything else.

It wasn't her place to guarantee that, Graham thought angrily.

She had no right.

"Cait-" She heard the sharp edge in Graham's voice and ignored it.

It wasn't difficult.

For the past few days they'd been almost like strangers.

He'd found one reason after another not to come to her bed at night.

And she had fallen asleep without him.

It was as if those two nights they had enjoyed in each other's arms had

never happened and he was determined to stick to his word, making this a marriage of convenience.

His convenience, perhaps, but not hers.

She smiled at Jake, winding her fingers around his.

"We're going to be late, Gray."

Caitlin began walking down the corridor again.

Graham followed, his silent censure enshrouding her.

At the end of the hall she saw a tall, rangy-looking man wearing a conservative beige suit and holding a worn briefcase, which he kept shifting from hand to hand.

He was obviously waiting for someone.

She glanced at Graham for confirmation.

He nodded.

The man was their lawyer.

Caitlin had resisted the temptation of calling her own lawyer, choosing

for the moment to go with the one that Graham had retained.

He wanted it that way.

She hoped they wouldn't regret it.

The man snapped to attention when he saw them approach.

Shifting his briefcase to his left hand, he extended his right one to

Graham.

"I was beginning to get worried."

Shaking his client's hand, the man looked at Caitlin.

Mild interest flickered in his eyes.

"And you're Mrs. Redhawk? " "Caitlin," she amended, shaking his hand.

"Zach Neubert."

His grip was warm, firm.