Finally, the judge spoke. “Why the marriage thing, Mr. Warner?”
Turning to face the judge, my father spoke. “He needs to show responsibility before I trust him with my family legacy.”
Instantly, my father knew that that had been the wrong response. The judge leaned back in his seat and stared at Peter with a look of pure disgust on his face. “So, running a farm, going to high school, working a job, and trying to help support his two younger siblings doesn’t show responsibility?”
Peter cleared his throat. “Well, um, I suppose it shows some.”
The judge nodded. “How about joining the armed forces and sending money home? Paying off the family farm at the age of twenty-six? Coming home at the age of thirty and helping his brother run the farm? I’m sorry, Mr. Warner, but it seems your son has gone above and beyond showing he is responsible enough.”
“He’s not blood,” Peter spat out.
The judge slid a piece of paper across the table. I glanced down and saw what it was. Adoption papers. “You wanted him to have your name legally, remember?” my mother said.
I could hear the bitterness in her voice.
My father swallowed hard.
The judge looked directly at Peter as he spoke. “My suggestion would be to sign the real-estate transaction and take the money your son has offered you. Otherwise, you can go to court. Let’s see how they feel about your claim.”
Peter whispered something to his lawyer, who whispered something back. I glanced at the clock. I needed to meet Kynslee at the bakery in an hour, so I was hoping this shit would just move on to the next phase. But Peter Warner shocked us all again.
“My client will accept the monetary value for the farm and agrees to sign the deed over to Mr. Miles Warner.”
I didn’t show any reaction. Neither did my lawyer. My mother, on the other hand, sniffled ever so slightly.
Dalton slid a piece of paper across the table. Peter’s lawyer read it and motioned for Peter to sign it.
“We can head on over to the title company now.”
“Now? You can get the mortgage loan now?” Peter asked with a smug look.
“I’ll be paying cash, so it can be wired to your bank account today if we get down there by three,” I stated dryly.
Peter stared at me, a look of utter hate all over his face. “You little punk, you think you’re all that. What is it, drug money?”
I stood and smiled at him. “Something like that.”
I looked to the judge next and extended my hand. “Thank you, Judge Winston.”
He returned the handshake. “Thank you for your service, son.”
Dalton clapped me on the back. “The title company has the paperwork ready to go. All I need is for you to sign a few things, then authorize the wire transfer.”
Peter and his lawyer left the conference room after the judge walked out. Before we exited, I pulled Dalton back.
“How in the hell did that just happen?”
Dalton looked around and then leaned in so only I could hear him. “Did I mention I went to law school with Judge Winston? And as far as Peter’s lawyer goes, I play golf every Saturday with him. Our wives are best friends, as well.”
I smiled and shook my head. “You sneaky son-of-a-bitch.”
He winked. “Come on. Let’s get this over and done with.”
I walked into the bakery and stopped inside the door. Kynslee, Heather, and my sister Lana were all tasting a cake that they clearly loved. Kynslee let out a moan that went straight to my dick.
“That is to die for!” Lana said. “The baby is going to be on a sugar high later this afternoon after I breastfeed her.”
They all laughed.
“Sorry I’m late, but looks like you had a good stand in for me.” I pointed to Lana and Heather. “Where’s Patty?”
“She couldn’t make it,” Kynslee said, a mouth full of wedding cake so her words sounded more muffled than normal.
“Is it good?” I asked with a laugh.
Standing, Kynslee pushed the spoon into the cake and then shoved it into my mouth. I had to admit, it was amazing. She grinned like a fool as she watched me raise my brows.
“That’s delicious.”
“I know! I’ve narrowed it down to this cake or the vanilla strawberry filled.”
I glanced at everyone and then looked back Kynslee. “Can we step outside and talk a minute?”
“Yeah, sure.” She turned back to the baker. “Um, excuse me just one second.”
Placing my hand on her lower back, I tried to ignore the familiar tingle that raced up my arm and through my body.
We stepped outside and Kynslee turned to me. “How did it go? When you said you would be late, I got worried he might be causing issues. I mean, he agreed that if we got married…”
I pressed my mouth to hers and kissed her. I could feel her body relax as she leaned into me. God, I loved this woman.