. Her hands shake as she stares at the woman across the courtroo

er." She says this a little louder to Ma

for her drug addiction. She was charged for aggravated assault. If I remembe

s, waiting for the ju

ne bites her lip, her mind racing. Would she ev

happen." Max grasps her q

gaze, her heart swaying. Wh

atements I was given. I have come to the decision that Caroline Ry

and she barks out, "That isn't fair. I have ever

er back as her gaze

let you t

gly, fear catching in her throat. S

orm the courtroom, the j

ur financial status, Maryanne, I cannot relinquish the child into either of your hands exclusively. I can set up a joint partners

she pulls away from Max. "So we will

see that benefits Riley. With only one of you

urrowing, but he remains sile

ay," she quest

r of his eye. "It sounds like a feasible opti

" she

rig

isses at him. "You really want to

he smirks s

at Max. Is he serious? After everything they

h her for a year, how does tha

ine," sh

p. "For a year, as of tomorrow, you will both car

gh what was just said. She doesn't catch on u

es out. "Under

hat is the one stipulation. Riley needs the stability of living in one house

using Maryanne

nxiety vibrating through her entire body. "You li

folding his arms. "I am not living

but she continues to stare him down.

urning his back on her and strikin

om. Everyone else is busying themselves with their work and the next case. Maryanne stands awkwardly, her gaze finally l

ne turns back a

>

rflowing, yet stacked neatly, several placed on her desk since her shelves have

she mumbles. "Is Max eve

does not feel comfortable giving up all of the decision

shifts to take it out of the pocket of her s

Why does her heart race every time she talks t

ess. Bring Riley tomorrow and I will give you a tour." Max's voice is

alr

ee you t

r heart twisting, she sighs and opens he

tly, copying the address and

Maryanne realized exa

Where a lot of farmers live," she state