Chapter 21

21

Ryder was dying inside a little more each day that he was apart from Genevieve.

He paced near the door in Mr. Irving's office, juggling Boone in the sling. The baby was fussier than usual, probably missing Genevieve too—or at least sensing his distress that Genevieve was gone.

He bounced Boone and tried to focus on what Mr. Irving was saying, but he couldn't think of anything except the fact that Genevieve had left Colorado yesterday.

Mr. Andridge sat beside Sadie, both of them across from Mr. Irving at his desk, which was meticulous without a single pen or piece of paper out of place. The whole office was organized neatly—the shelves of books in alphabetical order and rows of files cataloged to perfection.

Mr. Andridge waved a hand at Sadie. "Why don't you allow the baby's mother to have a turn calming him?"

The question broke through Ryder's despair. He paused and faced the lawyer who'd shown up on his ranch yesterday afternoon with the news that Genevieve had hired him to defend his rights to have Boone.

Ryder had told Mr. Andridge he didn't want to be beholden to Genevieve and that he'd figure things out on his own. But when the young lawyer had stated the reasonable fee he was charging Genevieve, Ryder had decided it was low enough that he would pay it himself.

Mr. Andridge had arranged the meeting with Mr. Irving and Sadie for this morning. Sadie had been the first to talk and had already explained how terrible the pregnancy and birthing had been and how that had influenced her into giving up Boone. She'd been in tears while sharing the difficulty of the past summer with missing Boone and realizing she wanted to be the baby's mother after all.

Mr. Irving sat rigidly at his desk across from them, his slender face serious. He combed his fingers through his long sideburns and bushy beard, his gaze now upon Sadie as he waited for her to agree to hold Boone.

Mr. Andridge was much younger than Breckenridge's only lawyer. Even so, Ryder had been impressed so far with the fellow's intelligence and depth of understanding of the laws. Now he was also watching Sadie but was leaning back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, holding a silver cane.

He twisted his hand on the curve of the cane and now shifted his gaze to Ryder. "If Sadie wishes to take over, then it is important for her to get accustomed to caring for the infant."

Ryder's grip on Boone tightened, and he wanted to shake his head. Sadie had never held the baby, not even after he was born—had apparently claimed she was too exhausted. What would happen if she held Boone now? All it had taken was holding Boone once for him to fall in love with the little guy. Would it be the same for Sadie?

"Go on." Mr. Andridge's words were casual, but something in his expression was intense.

When they'd talked outside Mr. Irving's office a short while ago before the meeting, Mr. Andridge had encouraged him to trust him and follow his instructions. And now, even though Ryder didn't want to give Sadie a turn holding Boone, he knew he had no other option.

Ryder peered down at Boone. With his face scrunched and red, the boy released another wail—one containing his dissatisfaction with life. Or maybe the cry echoed Ryder's dissatisfaction with life. Because his whole life seemed turned upside down since he'd left Genevieve behind in the hotel room. Nothing made sense. Nothing else mattered. Nothing could end the turmoil inside.

"Ryder hasn't let me hold the baby." Sadie spoke with an edge of bitterness, as if she really was bothered by his overprotectiveness of Boone.

If Sadie was sincere about wanting a part in Boone's life, then he needed to give her the opportunity, didn't he? He needed to give Boone the opportunity too. The boy deserved to know his mother. Especially because Ryder already knew what it was like to be without a mother and had felt the emptiness inside for so many years.

Without giving himself the chance to change his mind, he crossed to where Sadie sat. But even as he stood in front of her and tried to lower Boone toward her, fear surged through him, and he couldn't make his muscles move.

Why did losses always seem to hit him the most? What was wrong with him that he couldn't keep the people he loved from leaving him? Was he such a failure that he couldn't make anyone happy enough to stay?

The swell of fear rose into his throat, just as it had over the past few days since Genevieve's leaving.

Mr. Andridge bumped him with his cane, forcing Ryder to look at him. "I'll tell you the same thing I told Genevieve. Not only am I your advocate but I'll also be your friend. That means whatever the outcome, you will never have to face your trials alone."

The sincerity in the man's eyes steadied Ryder and reminded him that even though there had been times in his life when he'd felt alone, ultimately, someone had always come along at just the right moment to help him. Those two cowboys who had taken the time to deliver him and Tanner to the orphanage. Kind orphanage workers over the years. Ma and Pa Oakley making them a part of the family. His siblings helping him time and time again over the past six months.

He'd had friends there to hold him up through it all. And maybe Providence had been there too, working behind the scenes in ways he hadn't realized.

Whatever the case, this young lawyer was here today, by his side. Mr. Andridge was right. No matter what the outcome might be, he wasn't alone.

Boone released another wail, this one louder than the last.

At Mr. Andridge's nod, Ryder extended the baby to Sadie. Yes, there was still the chance he could lose his son. But he wouldn't have to face the loss alone. And maybe with the help from all those who cared about him, he could fight to win Boone back. Was it possible he could fight to win Genevieve too?

The prospect sent life pumping back into his blood. He didn't know how he could overcome all the barriers that stood between them and get her back in his life, but after the past few days of feeling as though he was dead without her, he knew without a doubt he'd never loved anyone the way he did her. He needed her in his life.

With widening eyes, Sadie tentatively touched Boone. "It's not fair that you want me to try to calm him down."

"It's all right." Ryder lowered the baby into her arms. "The first time I held him, he cried for hours straight. I thought something was wrong."

Sadie sat frozen in place, staring down at Boone as though he were a wailing wolf pup who might lunge at her.

"You can try bouncing him a little," he offered. "Maybe talk to him?"

She hesitated, then gave one bounce as she peered down at Boone's face. "Hey there."

Boone stopped crying and stared up at her.

Ryder's heart gave a hard thud. Did the boy already recognize Sadie as his mother?

"That's right." She held herself and the baby stiffly, as if one wrong move would cause him to start wailing again. "We'll get along just fine." She shot Ryder an I-told-you-so look.

"As I said"—Mr. Irving broke into the conversation as he watched Sadie—"I propose that you both get time with the baby."

Ryder had opposed Mr. Irving's suggestion from the start of their meeting, but now that Sadie was holding Boone, a knot formed in Ryder's chest. If Sadie wanted to be in Boone's life, he couldn't take that away from her. And although giving Boone over to her for periods of time wouldn't be ideal, it seemed only fair.

Mr. Andridge raised his brow at Ryder, as though to ask him if he was still opposed to the idea.

"Okay," Ryder said, although hesitantly. "I'm agreeable to both Sadie and me getting to spend time with Boone."

"I am agreeable too." Mr. Andridge brushed a speck off his light-gray suit trousers and didn't meet anyone's gaze. "Especially because that will ease Ryder's responsibilities since he is a single father again."

Sadie sat forward. "Single father?"

Mr. Andridge finally glanced up a little too innocently. "Yes, you didn't hear? Ryder's wife left for New York City yesterday."

Sadie shook her head. "No. I heard she was that runaway heiress but didn't know she was going back."

Boone let out a wail, one that startled Sadie so that she fumbled with the baby.

Ryder put out a steadying hand. "Careful now."

Sadie stood abruptly and thrust Boone back at him, giving him no choice but to take the crying baby.

Ryder cradled the infant against his shoulder and began to bounce him.

Sadie took a step toward the door. "If that woman is gone, then I don't need to be involved."

Even with Boone's wails filling the office, a strange silence filled Ryder, and he scowled. What was Sadie up to?

"What?" She shrugged. "I didn't know the woman. She was a stranger, and there was no telling if she would've made a good ma to Boone."

"She already was a good ma." Ryder couldn't keep his tone from filling with rapidly mounting anger.

Mr. Andridge was standing now too. "So what are you saying, Sadie? That you would like to make sure Ryder chooses a suitable mother, but that you do not want to be the mother yourself?"

"That about sums it up."

Mr. Irving released an exasperated breath.

Ryder's anger quickly faded as Mr. Andridge's tactic took shape. He'd made sure Ryder was agreeable and rational so that no one could find fault with him. Then he'd gotten Sadie to confess that she didn't really want the baby.

Ryder doubted she'd been pursuing having Boone because she wanted to make sure Genevieve was a suitable ma. She was just giving a convenient excuse. No, she'd likely felt threatened in some way by Genevieve's presence. Now that the threat was gone, she no longer needed to make herself appear to be better and worthier than the new woman in his life.

Sadie lifted her chin as if she was justified in her position. "If he's going to have another woman around my son, I ought to be able to help decide if she's fit."

"And what makes another woman fit to be a mother to Boone?"

"I don't know."

"I'd like to make a record of it." Mr. Andridge pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. "Then, if my client does want a caregiver or wife at some point again, we'll have a standard that he must abide by. Is that all right with you, Mr. Irving?"

"It sounds reasonable." Mr. Irving's expression contained a haggardness that indicated Sadie hadn't been particularly easy to defend.

"Good. Then how about I jot those qualities right here on this paper." Mr. Andridge took a pen from Mr. Irving's desk. "Tell us the most important qualities in the woman who will eventually become Boone's mother."

Sadie shrugged. "Well, she can't be yelling or hitting him."

Mr. Andridge's pen was poised above the paper. "So she must be kindhearted and loving?"

"Reckon that sounds right."

Mr. Andridge scribbled the words on the sheet. "Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of." Sadie was already making her way to the door.

"Then before you go, you will need to sign this paper saying that you're relinquishing your right to Boone—of course, with the stipulation that Ryder's wife will be kindhearted and loving toward Boone. If the wife is not, then you will have the right to fight Ryder again for custody."

Sadie looked at the sheet that Mr. Andridge was holding out and hesitated.

Ryder couldn't breathe past the anticipation now rising in his chest. Clearly the young lawyer had come prepared with the relinquishment agreement written up and had expected Sadie to sign over her rights.

Mr. Andridge was good. In fact, he was more than good. Not only was he a decent fellow, but he was shrewd and had guided the entire interaction the way he'd planned.

Mr. Irving stood. "I should read through the relinquishment first and make sure the terms are agreeable."

Sadie blew out an exasperated breath. "They're agreeable to me, Mr. Irving. Listening to the baby cry for a few minutes is enough for me to know that I don't want to have to listen to it any longer."

Within minutes, the document was signed, and Sadie was gone. Ryder stepped out of the lawyer's office with Mr. Andridge following behind and leaning on his cane. The side street wasn't as busy as the main thoroughfare, with only one other person walking out of a newly built boarding house across the street.

Boone was chewing on one of Ryder's fingers, and the fussing had diminished—at least for the time being. Even though the sun was out, the wind blowing in from the north held a chilly bite for September.

"Thank you, Mr. Andridge. You were brilliant." Ryder stuck out his hand.

The lawyer shook it firmly. "I am grateful Genevieve gave me a chance to take the case. Most people assume that because I have a twisted leg, my mind doesn't work well either."

"Didn't assume that at all." Ryder couldn't keep from glancing down at Mr. Andridge's legs. There was something odd about the angle of his leg, but the fellow had obviously learned to compensate for the issue so that it was hardly noticeable.

"I would appreciate you relaying my thanks to Genevieve." Mr. Andridge leaned onto his cane.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to do that—"

"And when you see her, let her know that since she is married, her stepmother's guardianship is no longer binding."

The same anticipation as before gripped Ryder's chest.

"I have a friend from law school who works in New York City. I telegrammed him yesterday to do some investigating for me. Turns out, he was able to find information on the Hollis guardianship case."

Ryder didn't know much about Genevieve's stepmother and all that had transpired, since she'd only shared a little in the hotel room in Frisco. But it had been clear the relationship was complicated. "So she's free to live without her stepmother?"

"The marriage supersedes the guardianship. She still cannot have access to her fortune until she turns twenty-one, but the stepmother no longer has legal power over her."

Ryder's mind began to race in a hundred different directions all at once. What did this mean? And what was his part in it? As her husband, did he have the power to help her finally be free the way she'd wanted?

Mr. Andridge's brow furrowed above his kind eyes. "I am afraid her trust in her lawyer has been misplaced."

Of course a woman as wealthy as Genevieve would have a lawyer directing her affairs. "You think he's been dishonest with her?"

"He's manipulating her. That was obvious from his telegram even before I rode up to Frisco."

If Genevieve was being controlled and manipulated, then it was no wonder she'd had no option but to run away and hide. Even though Ryder didn't like that Genevieve had deceived him, wishing she had been honest from the start, he could easily forgive her—had already forgiven her.

"What's in it for the lawyer?" Ryder's gut churned just thinking about anyone taking advantage of Genevieve, especially with how sweet and kind she was.

"If her lawyer is colluding with the stepmother, perhaps he has discovered a way they can gain access to part of her fortune."

"Then they're stealing from her?"

"I admit, it's pure conjecture on my part. But I cannot think of any other reason why the stepmother would be so anxious to have her return except to resume her guardianship."

Boone was now sucking on his own fist and making grunting noises.

An older fellow stepped out of the saloon next to Mr. Irving's office. He tipped his hat at the two of them before meandering down the street toward the main thoroughfare.

As soon as the man was out of hearing range, Mr. Andridge glanced around as if to make sure they were alone, then he spoke in a low voice. "Since marriage nullifies the guardianship, the stepmother will likely force Genevieve to dissolve the marriage right away."

"No." The word came out forcefully with all the protest that had been building since he'd ridden away from Genevieve. She was his, and he wouldn't let anyone change that, especially by force.

But hadn't he decided they were from two different worlds and that their lives were going in different directions? He wouldn't fit into her life. And he wouldn't ask her to give up everything to try to fit into his.

So how could they stay together? Yet how could he live without her?

He couldn't hold back a growl of frustration.

Mr. Andridge was watching him, clearly sensing the struggle. "It is easy to see that you love her for who she is and not for her wealth."

"I don't care about her money. I fell in love with her before I knew she had it."

"Exactly. She won't find many men who will be able to see past her fortune and power to be able to love her for who she truly is. If you can do that, then you're giving her an invaluable gift."

He hadn't thought about their relationship that way. But perhaps the young lawyer was right.

"And it was very clear she loves you." Mr. Andridge spoke the words with as much confidence as he had everything else.

Ryder hadn't been able to stop thinking of her declaration of love in the hotel room. And her kiss had confirmed it. If he'd had any lingering doubts, her sending a lawyer to help him fight for Boone had only proven how much she'd grown to care about him.

But what was the right thing? He'd thought he was being noble to let her go back to the life she knew. After all, she'd chosen him because she'd been vulnerable and desperate. If the situation hadn't been so difficult for her with her stepmother, she wouldn't have needed him, probably never would have been interested in a fellow like him.

Still, had he given up on them too easily?

The hollow ache in his chest radiated and reminded him that he was dying without her. He pressed his hand there, but he knew that wouldn't take away the pain. Nothing would take it away. Nothing except being with her could bring him back to life.

Mr. Andridge didn't seem to miss anything. And as he watched Ryder attempt to battle the emptiness in his chest, he smiled softly. "You don't have to lose her, Ryder."

Even if he was learning to accept the losses in his life, was this one time when he didn't have to face a loss? Could he fight for them? For her?

A tremor pulsed through him. "What can I do?"

"You're her husband. You have the power now. So go and use it."

"Go? As in go to New York City?" He couldn't do that, could he? Not with all that remained to be done on the ranch before winter. Not with having a baby. Not with the chance that she might not want to stay married to him.

Mr. Andridge pulled out his pocket watch, flipped open the case covering the face, and peered at it. "If you leave now, she'll only be one day ahead of you in her travels. And you might be able to get to her before she signs anything."

How could he leave today? But how could he delay and chance losing her forever?

An urgency began to thrum through him.

"There is no time to waste." Mr. Andridge lifted his cane and gave Ryder a push. "Go on now."

Ryder took a step back, his muscles tightening with the need to run to the stagecoach and hop aboard. But he knew he couldn't do that, had to be responsible and make arrangements for the ranch first.

Even so, his mind was already running far ahead. And he was praying he wouldn't be too late to save his marriage.