The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5)(54)

“I’m sure you have many regrets,” he said. “I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and I couldn’t bear it if they weren’t in my life.” He looked at Hannah. “Family is important. It’s also complicated and sometimes difficult. I’ve seen some impossible situations in this court. Since none of you actually witnessed firsthand the relationship Ms. Waters had with her mother, my scope is limited. Would you consider visitation? Let little Noah have a chance to meet and visit with his maternal grandmother?”

Hannah shook her head and said, “No, Your Honor. Erin was explicit. She didn’t want her son mixed up with her family. She didn’t trust her mother or half brother.”

“That’s understandable, given the experience she described,” the judge said. “She wrote a very detailed account of the difficulties she had with her mother and half brother. But I would suggest a couple of supervised visits. I can assure you, neither his safety nor custody are at risk, but he should meet his grandmother and she should meet her grandson. For all we know, that could be the end of it. Or they could form some kind of bond of friendship. Maybe something more positive than what we have.”

“Oh, Your Honor!” Victoria said, clasping her hands in front of her. “Oh God!”

“The court can arrange for someone from Social Services to supervise, or if you have family or friends who—”

“I’d be happy to supervise,” Cal said. “Mr. Renwick is welcome to join us if he’d like.”

“Mrs. Addison, I’m going out on a limb here. I’m not sure exactly what kind of relationship you’ve had with your kids but it sounds as if it has been very troubled. I think everyone deserves a chance, however. A very limited chance. Not a reversal of verdicts, but a chance to get acquainted. Briefly acquainted...”

“Your Honor, I was praying for at least joint custody,” Victoria blurted.

“Madam, I would appreciate it if you would not interrupt. There is one thing I will insist upon—this brief visitation is only for you. Your son isn’t invited, is that clear? Your daughter was afraid of him and it sounds like she had good reason. He is not accorded visitation and you are not allowed to take the minor child out of this county. In fact, you can’t take him anywhere without Ms. Russell’s and my permission. You can visit with him at a location chosen by his guardian and her attorney. Let’s say two visits, not to exceed two hours each. Then we’ll meet again.”

“But, Your Honor, I live in Minneapolis! And Noah is here at some rented lake house with Hannah!”

“Very well,” he said. “No visitation it is.” He raised his gavel.

“No!” she said. “I’ll stay. I’ll stay as long as I can at least see Noah.”

“There you go,” the judge said. “Wasn’t that easy?”

  It didn’t feel easy to Hannah. It was not her desired outcome. She wanted Mrs. Addison and her son to just go away and leave them alone.

The judge picked a date in two weeks and a second date in three weeks, a next court date in a month. Mrs. Addison tried to convince him to get it all done in a week and Judge Vincente said that wouldn’t work for him. He stuck stubbornly to his dates. And he was firm.

Cal suggested a cup of coffee before everyone headed home. He whispered to Hannah that she could have anyone she felt comfortable discussing the court appearance with to join them. Hannah invited Helen and, of course, Owen and Kate were there, as well. Cal directed them into a coffee shop on the main street.

“Kate, I’m so sorry,” Hannah said. “You came all this way for a hearing and it might’ve been a waste of your time. You were barely allowed to speak.”

“I didn’t have much to offer, but I think it’s clear to the judge that we were all very close for years, that Erin’s wishes are being followed and that Erin knew her son would be safe with you.”

“But why did he order visitation?” she said.

“Two supervised visits,” Cal said. “I don’t have the court order yet—I’ll pick it up on Monday. But it’s a couple of short visits. Do you think a woman who couldn’t even be bothered to go to her own daughter’s funeral is going to hang around in a town where she has no job and no friends to have a few hours of supervised visits with the grandson she’s never known? Judge Vincente might be making the idea of having a second chance with her grandson so difficult that she gives up. He was very straightforward—it will be brief, it will be supervised and it will not change the custody arrangement. On the other hand, he might be testing her—maybe she’s seen the light and just wants a relationship with the boy and will make personal sacrifices to have that. The judge is crafty—I wouldn’t underestimate him. I’m telling you, this judge’s decisions stand. He might look like a sweet little old grandpa but he’s tough. Respected. Beloved.”

“Do you think it’s possible Victoria really does have regrets?” Hannah asked. “What if she has turned herself around and has become loving?”

“Leigh and I are best friends and we are devoted to each other,” Helen said. “But we’ve had a standoff or two. If I’d lost my niece before I had a chance to work things out with her, I’d be devastated. But that being said, it would never have taken me five years to work through a problem. Even if Victoria has somehow become a sweet and caring grandmother, you will still be Noah’s guardian. I’m afraid the woman has given up her rights by staying away too long.”