Her Christmas Hero by Linda Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

judge, anger in every bone of her body. If the judge thought she would back down, she was in for a shock. Britt had nothing left to lose. “Isn’t this supposed to be about the best interest of the child? Well, you’ve just blown that to hell with your bigoted attitude.”
    â€œMs. Tibbs, get your client under control or I will hold her in contempt.”
    â€œLet me handle this, Britt,” Mona whispered. “You don’t need to go to jail. Sit down, please.”
    Her mother tugged her back into her chair.
    â€œThank you,” the judge said. “As I was saying, all child support will stop. Sundays, from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon, will be Ms. Davis’s time to see Dillon, and every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from one to six, if her schedule permits. Mr. Rutherford, I expressly do not want you there during those times, and order no contact between you and Ms. Davis. Mr. Ross’s office will oversee the visits.”
    â€œMy client will not be allowed any time alone with her child?” Mona asked rather tartly.
    â€œWith her connection to the airlines, she’s a flight risk. For now, someone will always be with her.”
    Britt gritted her teeth at the injustice.
    â€œI object to this, Your Honor. Ms. Davis is a loving mother and I resent you using her job as a means to remove her child from her. I resent it as a woman and as a lawyer.”
    â€œResent away. You have that right.”
    â€œI’ll file an appeal.”
    â€œGo ahead, but my ruling stands. This court is adjourned.”
    Just like that they had taken her child. Her precious baby.
    Britt was numb and empty and couldn’t focus on what to do next. There was no next. Phil would raise Dillon for the next four months. He’d won.
    They had taken her child. It was her worst nightmare come true.
    Her mother hugged her. “Baby, I’m so sorry, but we’ll get through this.”
    â€œI don’t know how,” she murmured, looking down at her broken nails from her time in the creek. A choked sob left her throat and she raised her head. Her eyes collided with Quinn’s. His blue eyes were somber, almost apologetic. She immediately looked away and grabbed her coat. She would not let him see her cry.
    Picking up her purse, she walked from the room, her mother beside her.
    Phil waited at the door, a smirk on his face. “I’ll be at your apartment at ten in the morning for Dillon.”
    She couldn’t speak; pain and anger locked her vocal cords. Without a word, she pushed by him. He grabbed her arm and she jerked away.
    â€œDon’t touch me.”
    â€œLeave my daughter alone,” Carin said. “Haven’t you hurt her enough?”
    Ignoring her mother, Phil looked straight at Britt. “You know how to stop this.”
    Yes, she did, but she’d rather die first. And that’s what she was doing, dying inside. She walked away without giving him any satisfaction.
    And she refused to even spare Quentin Ross a glance.
    Â 
    Q UINN WATCHED THIS EXCHANGE with a knot in his gut. He felt as if he had been sucker punched by the heavyweight champion of the world. Or maybe by a devious, cunning, so-called friend.
    â€œWhat did you mean by that?”
    Instead of answering, Phil slapped Quinn on the back. “You did great today, old friend.”
    He wasn’t Phil’s friend. They’d been classmates in law school. Through that connection, Quinn had gotten an internship in Philip Sr.’s prestigious law firm. He was deeply grateful, but he didn’t want to continue to pay that debt for the rest of his life.
    Quinn placed papers in his briefcase and snapped it shut. “Why did you call me to handle this case at the last minute?”
    â€œBecause you’re the best. And since Herb was indisposed, I knew you were the one who could stick it to Roslyn in a big way. Dad’s going to be so excited to hear Dillon will