When they caught Amber—if they caught her—there wouldn’t be much to hold her with. Trespassing was a joke, seeing that she was Cooper’s mother, and threatening Hannah wasn’t going to hold much water either.
But you could be sure that after this, his lawyer would ensure Amber didn’t step ten feet from Cooper. Or Hannah, if he could convince her to file a protection order.
The whole thing sickened him. Worse, he felt guilty again. Maybe he’d been a fool, thinking he could get past this after Grams had all but given him absolution. His bad choices were rearing up their ugly heads and hurting the people he loved. God, what a lesson in losing common sense for one moment and paying forever. Add in drink, a cock, and heartbreak, and it was a recipe to ruin your life.
“P-Papa?” Cooper finally lifted his head. “Am I e-ever going to see M-Mama after this?”
He held his son’s face between his hands and looked him straight in the eye as tears rolled down his sweet, crestfallen face. “I’m going to be totally honest with you, Cooper. After how she acted today against Hannah and your grandpa McAllister, I don’t want you to see her. I know that might sound harsh, but your mother needs help. You’re going to have to trust me on this, son. Do you trust me?”
Big tears rolled down his cheeks, but he nodded morosely. “Y-yes, Papa, but I don’t like it much.”
Ben pulled him close again and rocked him like he used to when he was a colicky baby. “I don’t blame you, Cooper. I’d be pretty upset too.”
“Are G-Granddad and Hannah o-okay?”
Closing his eyes, he rubbed Cooper’s back. “They’re from tough stock. I expect they’re a little upset like you are but managing.”
Of course he didn’t know that for sure. His father hadcome in to whisper a short update a while back, but he’d been closeted in Cooper’s room since he’d taken his son from Hannah’s arms about an hour ago. His son had been shaking and inconsolable. He hadn’t wanted to leave him.
Hannah’s stricken eyes had called to him, but she’d known his son was his first priority. Hell, she’d planted her feet and blocked the door so Amber couldn’t get to Cooper. Hearing how crazed his ex-wife had been, facing off with her would have taken nerves of steel. But his Hannah had them. God, he couldn’t wait to hold her.
Someone knocked softly on the door before cracking it open slightly. Grams took a couple of steps into the room. Usually, she looked like the soft, motherly ninety-year-old she was, who wore a pink sweater and wool pants even in summer because she ran cold. But not today. She’d weathered plenty of storms on the spread, and today her back was straight, determination visible in her whole bearing. “Cooper, I’m going to stay with you for a little while as your papa goes to talk to some people downstairs.”
Cooper’s arms clenched around him. “I-I don’t want you to g-go, Papa.”
Moments like this killed him. Hearing his son’s tortured voice begging him to stay. “I’ll only be gone a couple of minutes, son. I promise.”
“Please, d-don’t go!” Cooper cried.
Grams set her hand on Ben’s back before reaching for his son. Releasing him ripped his guts out.
Standing beside the bed, he watched Grams wrap his little son up with all the sweetness and spine she’d used with him at that age. “He’ll be right back, honey. You stay here with Tank and Grams, okay? Would you like a cookie and some milk?”
He sniffed before curling into her. “Y-yeah…”
“I’ll bring it back with me, Cooper.” He ruffled his son’s dark hair gently. “Back in a sec.”
Striding out, he closed the door quietly and headed downstairs. No one was in the house, probably so tiny ears wouldn’t hear things they shouldn’t. He left his house and saw Hudson in the yard walking a horse.
“They’re in the main house,” he said when he saw Ben.
“Thanks for your help,” he called back. “The lasso was inspired.”
His mouth twisted. “A man shouldn’t put his hands on a woman—ever—and certainly not one calling rape. Let me know if I can help more.”
His father had filled him in, but still, hearing how out of control things had gotten devastated him. God, there was so much to deal with.
He tipped his hat to Hudson in acknowledgment and headed to the main house. When he walked into the living room, he watched everyone’s head turn toward him. Logan had his notepad open and looked his usual official self, but the rest were pale and…off.
His belly twisted.God, when was it ever going to stop?
His father stood with an equally grim Will beside the fireplace, who had his injured leg planted on the hearth. Gramps sat in his Barcalounger looking downright sullen. Hannah sat next to Neil on the couch, looking pale. Reba hovered in the doorway, her mouth a tight line.
She was the one he spoke to first. “Reba, can you grab a plate of sweets and a glass of milk for Cooper?”
After a hasty nod, she was gone. He turned to the group. “I promised him I would be back quick. Catch me up.”
Walking over to where Hannah sat, he lowered himself to the sofa’s arm and put a comforting hand on her. When she leaned closer, he felt his heart wrench.God!Today could have gone a lot worse.
