Page 110 of Falling for Brody

Keely was fighting a smile as the judge turned to her.

"Miss Dawes?" She looked at Rhea. "Miss Russell?"

Rhea was on her feet nodded at the judge. "Yes, Your Honor?"

"This is in regards to the custody of your son?"

She nodded. "Yes, Your Honor."

The judge turned her head in the direction of the other table. "Mister Pohl, until your clients make an appearance, I will not remove you from this case."

Mister Pohl lowered his chin toward his chest and cleared his throat. "Yes, Your Honor."

"But I can do something. She looked over at her clerk who was smiling at her desk. "This case is dismissed, withoutprejudice."

Rhea saw the judge look at her. "I'm sorry, Miss Russell. I can't quite dismiss this completely, but if your husband's family shows this much concern for your son's care, I'm sure you'll be able to remedy this soon."

"Okay." The judge looked at the room. "I think we're done here."

"All rise!"

The judge walked out nodding at the bailiff who held the door for her.

Keely turned to look at her. "Okay. Now, let's talk about that other issue. Let's go get something to eat."

All Rhea could do was nod, she was still stunned.

* * *

Bea was sittingin the late afternoon sun playing with the tray of bubble liquid that she'd set up.

Together with Chip, she'd bent old wire hangers into different shapes, and they were waving the wire frames in the air, creating bubbles that floated in the air.

With Chip's laughter ringing in her ears she almost didn't notice the metallic click of the latch on the gate behind her.

But she did see Chip's expression change from delight to shock.

Bea swung around and stared in shock. "This isn't your yard, young man. Turn around and leave."

The young man had an almost beard and a sweat stained shirt.

"You leave now and I won't have to call the police."

Bea had no intention of letting him go without reporting him, but she'd never say it out loud. At the moment she had to get him away from Chip.

"Well?" She put her hands on her hips. "Go away!"

The man sneered at her. "What are you going to do about it, bitch?" He reached for Chip and Bea tried to move between them and ended up being knocked to the ground.

"Aunt Bea!" Chip started toward her, and she reached out. "Run, Chip! Go!"

Chip looked up at the man and started to run for the sliding door.

He was grabbed by the back of his shirt and hauled up into the man's arms.

"Lemme go!"

Chip was kicking and his hands were clawing at the young man's arms.

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