“God,” I groan. “Let it go already, Garrison. I’m with you. You’re with me. Forever. Got it? No more pity parties in the peanut gallery.”
Gavin gives me a half smile. “I just don’t want to stand in the way of what you want, Bluebird. Not again. Never again.”
“You’re not and you won’t.” I shuffle the papers Robyn has just handed back to me. “But I do need help figuring this out. Will Gavin’s criminal record affect my ability to adopt Liam permanently, you think?”
Robyn shrugs. “No way to know for certain. What did the attorney say?”
I sigh. “She said it depended on the judge we’re assigned for the hearing. She said some judges won’t make a big deal about it and some will.”
“That’s helpful.” Robyn makes an annoyed breathy sound. “That’s like saying they’re going to make the decision based on the weather in Texas that day. So basically, it could go either way and she doesn’t know shit. Awesome.”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
I face-plant into the palms of my hands and try to think.
There’s really only one solution and I already know what it is. I just know it’s going to hurt people I care about.
So I decide to do what Nana taught me.
I hold out for a miracle.
32 | Gavin
I’VE NEVER SEEN Dixie as quiet as she’s been the past couple of days. Sure, she’s laughed and smiled and put on a happy face for everyone else’s sake because that’s what she does. But I know better. I know her heart and her heart is sad.
I get the feeling that she’s already made her mind up about Liam and about the tour. If this were Dallas in charge of making decisions, I’d say the tour was a sure thing. But it’s Dixie so I haven’t even turned my two weeks’ notice in at the Tavern.
Dixie is a bleeding heart determined to save the world. She can’t do that just playing music on the road with her band, but she can definitely make a difference in Liam’s life.
Which is why I have a plan. Granted, my plans haven’t always gone so well in the past, but this time I have faith that Dixie will be open to it. At least, I hope she will. Otherwise I’m about to make a gigantic ass of myself.
The court date for Liam’s custody hearing is only a few days away. And because fate is cruel, Rock the Republic has given us to the evening of the same date to give them an answer. Naturally.
As we dress for court in front of her bedroom mirror, I stand behind her and fasten a pearl necklace that belonged to her grandmother around her neck. She’s been so busy with Liam and the band lately that I’ve barely had a minute alone with her. Worried blue eyes meet mine in the mirror. I place my hands on her bare shoulders and kiss her gently on the cheek.
“Whatever happens, whatever you decide, it will be okay,” I whisper into her ear.
“How do you know?” Her eyes are wide and searching when she turns to face me. They examine my face as if all the answers might be written in invisible ink.
“I just know. We’re here, aren’t we?”
She frowns, clearly unsatisfied with my answer, but it’s the only one I have right now.
I hold her hand in the car and all the way into the courtroom. I keep holding her hand while the social services resource officer takes Liam to the room he has to wait in while adults determine his fate.
I am still holding her hand when we take our seats and wait for the judge.
I finally understand what Dixie and I give one another that no one else can.
Balance. Strength. Hope.
During childhood, she provided these things for me during my weakest moments. Now I provide them for her. It’s an even exchange we will continue until our last breath.
The judge takes the stand and Dixie tenses beside me.
“It’s going to be okay, Bluebird. It’s all going to be okay.”