Page 60 of Lost and Found Cowboy

“Of course it is,” Lyle answered for her. “It’s part of our divorce settlement. Now are you gonna help us with this, or am I gonna have to find someone else who can?”

“No,” Judy said, staring directly at Lorna and giving her a solemn nod. “I can help you.” She opened a file drawer, rifled through it, then drew out a one-page form. “This should accomplish what you need until the deed arrives. It’s a transfer of business but it takes two business days to take effect. So, with the weekend, the business won’t become yours until Monday.” She smiled at Lyle, but the smile didn’t quite meet her eyes. “Surely, you can wait through the weekend to take over the shop.”

“I guess I’ll have to,” Lyle said. “Where do we sign?”

“Let me get a little information from you.” She filled out their full names and the address of the business then frowned. “I just realized, we’re going to need a notary to sign this, and she doesn’t come in till later today. So, you may just have to come back.”

Lorna finally caught on. Bless this woman for trying to help her.

“That’s ridiculous. You can witness it and have her put her little stamp on it when she comes in later,” Lyle told her, snatching the form from her hand and signing the line by his name without even reading it.

Lorna was pretty sure that wasn’t how it worked, but if it would get them out of there quicker, she’d sign it. Lyle thrust the pen into her hand, and she scribbled her name on the line.

“I’m sure that will be fine,” Judy told them as she took the form back. “And I’ll place an order for the deed to be delivered up here as soon as possible. Is there anything else I can help with?”

“No, that’s it.” Lyle plucked one of the cards from the holder on her desk and scribbled his name and number on it. “Callmeas soon as it comes in.”

“I look forward to it,” Judy said, but Lorna caught the sarcasm in her voice.

Lyle was too busy shoving her out the door to notice. She was sure the opinion of an older woman in a county office was of no consequence to her arrogant ex-husband.

The elevator at the end of the hallway dinged, and tears sprang to her eyes as the doors opened and she saw Mack inside.

His jaw was set, and the heels of his cowboy boots struck the tile flooring as he strode out of the elevator and toward them.

The door to the stairwell was in front of them, and Lyle grabbed her arm and pushed her through. She stumbled down one flight in front of him, then he shoved her to the corner of the landing, and she fell to her knees as he sprinted down the next flight without her. “I’ll see you soon,” he called over his shoulder. “And tell Lassiter to back the fuck off.”

The door at the top of the landing banged open, and Mack flew down the steps and gathered her into his arms.

She pushed against him. “I’ve got to get home. The kids are alone.”

“I just left your house. Gertie’s with them.”

Her knees buckled, but Mack’s strong arms held her up, and the sobs she’d been holding in finally broke free. She clung to his chest, surrendering to his caring embrace as he hugged her to him.

“I was so worried about you,” he said into her hair. “I was praying I would find you here before that asshole took you somewhere else.”

“How did you find me?”

“Max used your phone and Face Timed me out at the ranch.”

A laugh broke through her tears. “Of course he did.”

“You would have been so proud of him. He sat right next to the swing, and Izzy slept the entire time it took me to get to him. Which I’m pretty sure I set a new record for speeding to your house.”

“What happened to Gertie?”

“She had a flat tire and a dead phone. She feels terrible for being late.”

“Oh no, poor thing.”

He drew back and wiped the tears from her cheeks then brushed her hair back from her forehead and pressed a kiss there. “Max said Lyle hurt you. Are you okay?”

She nodded, touched by his deep concern. “Yeah, I’m fine. He caught me off guard, and Max saw him backhand me, but he could have done a lot worse.” She told him about Lyle’s threats to take the kids and his claims of her being a bad mother.

“That’s bullshit. You’re a great mom. You always put your kids first.”

“Thank you. And I would doanythingfor my kids. That’s why I’m giving him the shop.”

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