I nod, but feel a little uneasy, and add, “I don’t plan on being disingenuous.”
Her expression flatlines. “You won’t have to. These things are… intense. And even if you’re prepared and you guys have gone over all the questions I gave you, still, it’s gonna be hard.” She pats my hand. “You’ll do great. Your heart is in the right place.”
A moment later, Landry is called up. He squeezes my hand, glances back at an oblivious Sadie, and strides through the small space until he finds his seat. He’s sworn in, and just watching him hold his hand up for any reason but bareback bronc riding makes me so angry. This man works so hard, relentlessly, tirelessly. He does not deserve to go through this.
After getting through his name, where he lives, and his occupation, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomerys lawyer, a man that looks like he’s wearing a toupee and should be selling luxury cars to people who can’t afford them begins pacing the worn carpet in front of Landry.
It becomes a blur of monotone questions and short answers.
“How do you support Sadie in her daily activities?”
Landry looks perplexed, but tells the courtroom that he shows up for Sadie all day. Takes her to the bus stop, makes her breakfast, lunch, and dinner, rides with her, teaches herhow to tend to the animals, explains that she’s a good student and a Girl Scout and that he cares for her every single need.
It’s a great answer, and the truth, and yet Mr. Uppity Suit says nothing, and only continues on.
“Who typically handles the grocery shopping, meal preparation, doctor’s appointments, things of that nature?”
Landry’s eyes come to mine, and he winks. I’m not sure he means to do it because he then focuses on the question, answering, “Mostly me. But since I’ve remarried, my wife does a lot of cooking, too. She gets groceries, she helps with everything. We’re a team.”
My throat burns and I want nothing more than to indulge myself in tears at the way Landry sees me. But not yet. I can’t do anything or even react until I know for sure that Sadie is ours.
The questions become more intense, focusing on Landry’s lack of funds, and his troubled ranch. Landry explains how he got in debt, and judging by the reactions from Sable Sky townsfolk in the courtroom, he really hasn’t told anyone this.
Women bring their hands to their mouths, hushed awe spreads through the room, and the men tip their hats, nodding, acknowledging Landry’s sacrifice and bravery.
When it’s all said and done, I’m called up.
After we get through my name and my occupation, the reason I came to Sable Sky, the harder questions come.
“When did your work with UBS bring you to Sable Sky?”
I hadn’t anticipated this question, but fortunately, I remember. “The last week of April.”
“When did you and Mr. Vaughn get married?”
I lick my lips. “May 12th. Our anniversary is May 12th.”
The man paces, not pressing, not questioning, and the silence nearly breaks me. I’d rather have him press me aboutmy loyalty than walk around and force me to listen to the shuffles and quiet coughs of the townspeople as we wait.
Finally, he lifts his head and shoves his hands into his slacks. If it’s meant to intimidate me, it kind of works. Nerves make my stomach grumble. “And what is today’s date, Ms. Vaughn?”
We are eleven days from the rodeo, with Landry’s next ride in four days, which makes today—“It is June 22nd.”
“June 22nd,” he repeats, “so that means you arrived, fell in love, and got married all in less than two months. Would that be right?”
I nod. “That’s right.”
“And in that time you’ve managed to also become a staple in Sadie’s life, as you claim. Tell us about that, Ms. Vaughn.”
I didn’t need to practice anything to answer this question. I caution a glance at Sadie, still engrossed in my laptop with her earphones nearly tipping her head over. She’s smiling, eyes bright, and completely oblivious to the fight happening for her. Refocusing, I take a grounding breath, and tell the truth, from my heart.
“From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew we’d have something special. She reminds me of myself a little, and a lot of my little sister Lane, too. She’s curious and bright, stubborn sometimes, but always willing to learn. She’s taught me about animals and how to care for them, and she’s shown me that life is about the small things.”
“The small things?”
I nod. “One time we were out filming behind the barn. I was getting B-roll, which is, like, filler footage I’ll use to edit in during storyline transitions and stuff like that. Anyway, I just couldn’t get the right aperture, and I didn’t have a lot of options for light diffusion, and I’d been in the sun all day and I was just… frustrated. Sadie showed me how to make a whistle out of a blade of grass. And then we were just lying in the grass, whistling, laughing. She just… calms me, and I think I do that for her, too.” I pause and look at the girl I love so much, then refocus on Mr. Uppity Suit. “She sees things, you know, through her little lens, things that as an adult I don’t see. She’ll point out great shot ideas, butterflies landing on her horse Daisy, shots of our feet mushing together in the mud. She helps me realize what’s important, and what I want out of life, and she’s shown me what pure, true love is. Because I love her. I know she isn’t mine, but I love her like she is.”
The courtroom is absolutely silent, pin-drop quiet. I’m asked a handful more questions, all of which I’m prepared for because the answer is the truth, and the truth is easy. Finally, after what feels like forever, I’m dismissed, and ask to be led out of the courtroom.
