Forever You're Mine (MINE #4)(21)

“Tell me what?” I asked.

Barrett’s eyes met Maddie’s with a knowing smile before he brought them back to mine. “We finally have a court date.”

I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth. I looked to Maddie for confirmation and she nodded with a wide smile. “Really?”

“Yes.” Maddie answered.

Hope surged in my chest and I thought it would explode from happiness. But I kept my excitement in check until I understood what they were telling me. “When?”

“Three months.”

I still couldn’t believe it.

“So what happens now?”

Barrett sat forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “We will push for the court to overturn the conviction completely or remand the case for a new trial.”

New trial?

God, could we go through that nightmare again? Back when Winston was charged, it was on everyone’s tongue, so much judgment, so much contempt. Being a mixed race from the bad part of town already put two strikes against him, but it was the media who charged the tension and tone of the trial.

Racism is certainly not dead in this country.

It’s alive and it thrives on the souls of those who hate anything unlike themselves. Winston was protecting his family. He was protecting me.

Simple as that.

I tried not to think about the fact that if it hadn’t been for me, he wouldn’t be there. I have to stop thinking that way. It wasn’t doing me or Winston any good. There was no way to change what happened in the past. All I could do was think about the future.

I nodded in understanding. “Maddie and I have discussed it and we’ve agreed to take on the case pro bono.”

“What?” I breathed, not believing my ears.

“By the time it’s all over, this will be a landmark case for the state, hell for the country. Wouldn’t feel right taking money for that kind of recognition. Also, a firm out of New York has taken interest in the case with the recent news coverage, they’ve already given us all the resources we need.”

“You can’t be serious?”

Barrett stood from his seat, shoving his hands deep into his pockets before he gave me a confident smile. “Winston should be home by Christmas.”

Christmas?

Christmas was less than 5 months away. Would he really be free by then? How could he be so sure?

As if he could hear my unspoken questions…

“I always win, Cora. Always,” he said as he exited the office.

The wilting root of hope in my heart strengthened as it grew wildly inside my chest. “Um…so did that just happen?” I asked, wiping the edges of my eyes, tears of joy streaming down my face. “And I can’t believe I’ve been here for almost a whole hour and you didn’t say a word!”

Maddie rounded the desk and took the seat next to me, reaching for my hand. “I’m sorry, honey. Barrett wanted to be here when I told you. This case is so important to him, to both of us.” I sniffled, unable to hold back a quiet sob as I silently counted my blessings. “Listen, I’m gonna talk to Holden and see what we can do about findin’ you a place to live. A home for you and Winston. He’ll need stability when he gets out.”

I nodded, knowing full well I couldn’t afford any of the houses Maddie and Holden rented. Maybe I would do some looking around myself too. I still couldn’t believe this was happening. Finally, after seven long years, my brother was coming home. “What did Winston say when you told him?”

Maddie gave me a weak smile as she returned to the other side of her desk. “He’s a man of action, Cora. Words mean very little to him, and considering what he’s been through, it’s completely understandable. But trust me, if I’m good at anything…it’s proving others wrong.” I smiled to myself thinking how right she was. Words had never had much effect on Winston. He gauged others by what they did instead of what they said.

He swore it held more truth.

Maddie pressed a few keys on her computer then looked at me once more. “When his ass is home, only then will I expect a thank you. Maybe even a hug.”

I moved in quick, eager to give thanks now. I squeezed her tight, prompting her to wrap her arms around me. “Thank you, Maddie. I don’t know what I would do without you,” I whispered, fighting the lump in my throat.

“Oh sweetie.”

It would take me more than a lifetime to repay the debt of gratitude she was due, but I would spend the rest of my days trying.

I owed her so much.





All my life, my heart has yearned

for a thing I cannot name.

~Andre Breton





She clocked back in from lunch twenty minutes late with a smile on her face. I didn’t even have the heart to get on to her about it. I’d loaned her my truck so she could go run an errand. I didn’t think much of it, I’d let her drive my pickup before, but now I was wondering where the hell she’d been.

It was incredible, the way her eyes danced with so much happiness. Each time she swung them to mine, I was burned by the spark inside. Was it because of me she was smiling this way? I found that hard to believe. Although I had to admit, the last few days had been nothing short of f*cking perfect. Making out had become a new hobby and kissing her had become my favorite thing to do…but it was more than that. It was just being with her that made me feel like there was finally hope. Like I could get past all this shit in my head and find some f*cking peace.