habit of 'ploys."

" But," he continued, " in the interest of justice and fairness, I will ask. " Turning his attention to Caitlin, the judge leaned back in his black padded chair and studied her face solemnly. He was not above putting people on the spot. Not to see them twist and squirm, but to get at the unvarnished truth. Elbow on the desk, he leaned forward."

Why did you marry this man, Caitlin?

Was it just to even things out for him?

"No, Your Honor."

She glanced at Graham before she continued.

He didn't like sharing incidents in his life.

But there was no other way.

"Gray and I were going to be married eleven years ago."

The judge appeared unmoved by the information as he digested it.

")" at happened?

"Mother."

Caitlin saw that there was very little need to continue.

"Wild Willie" knew exactly the kind of woman her mother was.

For the sake of the others in the room, she elaborated.

"She orchestrated a split between us,- lying to each of us about the other." Caitlin shrugged.

There was no point in mouming what could have been.

She had her hands full working with what could still be.

"We were young enough to believe her."

The judge nodded, fully understanding.

Regina Cassidy was I a very strong-willed woman, accustomed to getting

her own way.

He vaguely recalled a rumor that her daughter had been in love with a

Native American, but that the romance hadn't worked out.

His eyes shifted toward Jake.

"Since you saw fit to bring the boy in..."

Harrison's voice trailed off as he beckoned Jake forward.

"Come here, boy. Come stand by me."

He turned his chair sideways, away from the desk, and waited.

Jake slid off his chair hesitantly.

"My name's Jake," he said shyly.

"Jake."

The judge nodded solemnly, as if this was news to him.

He fixed the young face with a stern look.

"Do you want to remain with your father, Jake?"

Wells was on his feet instantly.

Though the proceedings were informal, he looked as if he was going to

shout, "I object."

"Your Honor, the boy's too young to know what he wants."

Harrison waved away the protest without sparing a look at Wells.

"On the contrary, Mr. Wells, children know all too clearly what they

want. Perhaps better than we do. Their vision of right and wrongisn't clouded yet. Or corrupted."He looked at Jake intently.

If the boy lied, or had been coached, he would see.

"Are you happy with your father? " There was no hesitation, no looking over his shoulder for encouragement.

"Yes."

The judge's hand remained on the boy's shoulder, commanding his full

attention.

"Does your father treat you well?"

The small, dark head bobbed up and down in reply.

"Does he hit you?"

"No."

The denial popped up as if Jake wondered why the judge would even

ask.

"Does your dad hit you?"

For one of the very few times in her LIFE, Caitlin saw the judge

actually laugh.

"Not recently."

He released Jake and indicated that he was free to return to the

shelter of his family.

Harrison turned his chair toward the desk again and addressed all parties concerned, beginning with Jake.

"Well, you look well taken care of to me, Jake. I see no reason to

change things."

Celia looked at the judge incredulously.

"That's it? He looks well, so it's okay to leave him with his

father?"

Incensed, she rose in her chair.

Her husband laid a restraining hand on her arm.

After a moment she sank down again, sitting on the edge of her seat, a

coil ready to spring.

The judge's gray eyes shifted to look at Celia.

There was no warmth in them and only a pinch of understanding. "Mrs. Shephard, because you are his adoptive mother, the court grants you visitation rights. You may see your son one weekend a month and on alternate holidays. But I see no cause to disrupt what seems to be a happy, tranquil life. 'the boy shall go on living with his adoptive father and his stepmother."