Stand By Me (23 page)

“I want you to promise me Rick will get to meet his son?”

She went for her phone fumbling with her purse on the sofa, dumping the contents on the cushion, and grimaced as a contraction wrapped around her back to criss-cross over her stomach. “Morgan,” Ugh...”I can get someone over there and--”

“Kenya, are you in labor?”

She waved off Morgan's concern, shaking her head. “Where are you?” Grabbing up her phone she dialed Sophie. She said into the air to Morgan. “I gotta get you out of there.” When Sophie came on the line, she shouted into the phone. “I need you, bring Fiona,” then dropped the phone as pain lanced through her back. She locked her teeth so Morgan wouldn't hear her, she had to get her sister out of there, Brian would kill her and Rick.

“Kenya, listen, this is important. If Rick doesn't get here in time, Jonathan's attorney will get an email at 3:30. There'll be a woman in the courtroom with brown hair that will have some papers for Sophie. Sophie knows her, but the woman wouldn't help her when Sophie asked out of fear, but her son came to me to help Sophie. There's two pieces of information that will free Jonathan. I'm the only one who knows one of them, that's why Brian won't let me leave. I'll be at the trial on Skype, but if you don't see Rick...he didn't make it in time to get us out.”

Kenya crossed her legs suppressing a cramp moving down her thighs. She groaned, “Did Brian hurt you, Morgan?”

“Kenya you're in labor, call Sophie or Momma if she's there.” Kenya moaned into the phone mumbling no over and over. “Kenya I have to pay for what I did. I'm paying for mine now. Take care of your baby.”

“Morgan, come on,” Kenya was full out crying from fear and the twinge of cramps wrapping around her body. “If you hang up, how do I know you'll be okay?” She blew out a breath as the pain eased.

“You don't. I want you to have the life you deserve with Jonathan.”

She blinked rapidly thinking of something to make her get out of there and save herself a violent death. “Brian'll kill you, don't be a hero, get out of there.” Kenya waved Sophie and Fiona through the door, Sophie's eyes wide. “Tell me where...”

“Aye, what's wrong? It's the babe? Who are ye talking to?” Sophie rambled on grabbing Kenya's hospital bag beside the closet. Kenya shook her head. She pointed to the phone on the table indicating Morgan on the line.

Morgan said, “Sophie if that's you I hear, you're about to get your revenge on Brian. Kenya let me do this for you. Big sisters protect their little sisters and I'm twenty seven years behind...I love you Kenya.”

The line went dead.

Chapter Seventeen

Everybody came through for her today. Between the Blakemore’s, Claiborne’s and Erickson's the courtroom was packed along with three rows of town’s people. Her family filled practically one side of the courtroom.

The rich wood of the courtroom has added a heavy sensation to the weight already pressing at her knowing what Morgan could be going through.

From the overhead pendant light hanging with a hint of laughter resembling a noose to the possibility that Jonathan may not be freed.

This was it. The day her husband either comes home or she becomes one of those women that's in love with a man in prison. The thought was unsettling as it was her worst nightmare an inmate for a husband like Karla.

Katherine and Marcus sat eyes wide with pain after Kenya told them about Morgan's call. Without knowing her whereabouts, there was nothing anyone could do except worry.

Easing her gaze around the courtroom, she tried to stay positive watching all the people that came to support her and Jonathan. Ethan was using her bladder as a punching bag and Kenya prayed he stayed there until her husband came home. Turning around in her row behind the defendant’s side of the courtroom her family sat proud and supportive behind her. She could feel her husband’s presence before she could see him.

There he was tall and proud stalking the isle...Jonathan.

Bumbling past Marcus's knees and grasping on to shoulders as she made her way to the isle, Kenya hurried to get to Jonathan now sprinting down the center of the carpet to lift her from the floor, protruding stomach and all. His arms grouped around her, his mouth hungrily feeding on her, bumping teeth, biting lips she didn't care. Angling into the manic kiss, she moaned into his mouth, tears dripping down her face. His scent filled her with each inhale as his hands ran roughly up and down her hips. She could barely catch her breath with her stomach sandwiched between them. He slowly let her feet touch the floor and his hands embraced her stomach. He ducked down kissing her belly through her dress. His scent was masculine and clean and he smelled just as she remembered. Strong, fierce and hers, at least that was what she was clinging to as he came up to her face, his sensual smile directed at her mouth.

“Aye, hell, look at you woman...so beautiful, and thick and mine,” he cursed against her face, gathering her as close as possible to his body again. “Damn you look good, Kenya. I was going crazy thinking about you inside a burning barn.” His hot breath burned down her face and throat. His callused hands rough on her face but she loved every abrasive stroke. He held her inches from his face. “When Jamie told me about the fire I nearly went crazy in prison. Kenya, honey, I could have lost both of you.”

Kenya loved the burning sensation running her hands over his back up his face, kissing, mumbling incoherent words over his chest. Gaelic hit her ears and filled the room and her heart.

“Oh, God honey, you’re so...big, your arms are huge,” she said squeezing his biceps straining under his suit. “You weren't lying, you worked out every day,” she said staring up at him taking in every inch of his handsome face. “Hold me; please I miss you holding me.” He held her and she felt every muscle pinned against her body and her body practically cried from the pleasure of having him so close.” Her face was wet from tears. “Jonathan we lost a lot of testimonials in the fire along with my laptop.”

“Hines thinks what you sent will be enough. He says you and everyone pulled off a miracle getting what you did.” He kept stroking a hand around her belly, making Ethan squirm in the tight space. “How're you feeling? Is me son wearing you out?”

“Mmm...” was a combined answer to him and for the delicious sensation of running her hands down his body, his chest and back and shoulder. Squeezing his biceps, caressing his ears, every place she could reach she touched. “I can't believe you're here in front of me.”

“Shh! I know, Mo Ru'n, shh!” he muttered between fierce kisses over her lips, her face, and her salty tears slipping between their lips. Months without his loving touch, his warm embrace came shaking to the surface and she couldn't contain her pain. He was hard and muscled and flesh and blood and real in her arms.

She angled back speaking through the lump of excitement in her throat marring her words, “Did Hines get my message about Morgan?”

“He told me on the way in. What information could she have?”

“I don't know. All she would tell me was she had her baby and said if Rick, her ex-husband, gets there in time she'll expose Brian.”

“Expose him with what? Yer saying she will nae be here in court?”

“No, she said Brian didn't trust her and was having her watched. She apologized to me and was very upset, but wanted me to know she was sorry for all she'd put me through. She wouldn't tell me where she was, but there's someone in the courtroom that's gonna help me and Sophie.”

“Sophie, why?”

“You know as much as I do now. Hines has everything we could scrape together. We even have kids from the local school coming in.”

He held her stomach. “Are you having any contractions yet?”

Before she could answer, Katherine's perfume announced she stood at Kenya's back. She never took her eyes from Jonathan and his hand smoothing over her stomach. The bailiff came to their sides.

“Mrs...Mr. Blakemore needs to come up front.”

The moment held a crushing weight as the heat from Jonathan's body was separated from Kenya's. She caught his hand on her face and leaned into that caressing touch as he brought their foreheads together to brush a kiss over her nose.

“Are you with me, Pretty Lady?” he asked oblivious to those around them staring at the couple.

She stuttered twice running her thumbs over his Adams apple bobbing up and down his thick neck, swallowed and made a third attempt at forming one word, “Always?”

His bright white smile fed her tired soul, hope, strength, and love. He soothed, “Then don't cry...” he rubbed their noses over the other, the deep blue of honor blazed in the depths of his fierce stare.” Look at me...Ta mo chro'i istigh ionat. You're the only thing that's kept me alive all these months, Kenya. Don't leave me now. You and Ethan are my world.”

Sniffing, she wiped a hand under her nose, not caring how juvenile it appeared, sucked up her courage, and straightened her back; stomach bulging, and gave him her best badass face... a tight quivering brow. “My man's on trial, where else should I be other than by his side.”

She watched those amazing eyes disappear when he closed his lids, stroking a hand down her face his rough thumb gliding over her lips. Raising her hand, she covered his hand holding it to her skin, felt his warm breath on her face. “That's my girl. You've walked through hell for me and Ethan, don't let them close the door before we get to the other side.”

Voices filled the room yet it was just a buzzing noise when all she understood were Jonathan's words.

The bailiff stepped closer and she said in a hurried voice, “I'm gonna fight Brian all the way.” The bailiff got the room's attention. “He's messing with the wrong woman's husband today.” Kenya absorbed each touch of his fingers sliding from hers as they separated and Jonathan was led up to the defendant's table.

He spoke over his shoulder in a proud calm voice, “Save a place for me in the delivery room.”

Nodding was the best she had to offer with her heart half way up her throat.

“I'll have my court come to order.” The Judge said from the stand. Silence crept through the courtroom. Kenya couldn't take her eyes off Jonathan less than six feet away sitting next to his lawyer, Hines. “Because of some new information received in my chambers, and both attorneys are aware of this information, does either side wish to change their plea?”

Both lawyers refused, and Kenya shared an unknowing stare with Sophie.

“Alright, we are here to dispute the charges on Jonathan Ethan Blakemore. You’re charged with the death of Graham Brennar. You wish to counter this charge saying Mr. Brian Blakemore orchestrated the shooting of Seamus Blakemore. Mr. Davis, your first witness.”

Brian's attorney approached the stand. “I call to the stand. Brian Blakemore.” Brian rose and sauntered across the parquet floors to the witness stand. A gold watch and rings glittered under the overhead lights with every swing of his arms. Visions of him with Morgan against the tree flashed through Kenya's mind and she just shook her head at the vulgar scene. Oh, her sister would need so much counseling. Brian stepped up on the dais and held a hand up. “Please state your full name for the court Mr. Blakemore.”

“Brian Jason Blakemore.” Sworn in, he sat back in the chair smug and arrogant as if he were Zeus looks over his minions. His ego barely fit into the courtroom.

“Mr. Blakemore, you are being charged with the shooting of Seamus Blakemore. On the afternoon of October, 12, your father, Seamus Blakemore was rushed to the hospital with a bullet wound in his right upper thigh. Can you tell the court what happened that day?”

Fingers steepled he leaned out over the stand, eyes closed, took a moment then raise his eyes to the audience. “My son, the defendant, Jonathan Blakemore brought his men along with my father to my land in front of my home behind the castle. My men were patrolling the grounds and out of the blue shots were fired.”

The crowd gasped. Kenya dug her nails into Katherine’s hand closed over hers not to scream vile curses at the liar.

Brian lowered his gaze to the floor in a sad gesture shaking his head. “The next thing I hear is me own father, Seamus Blakemore, is in the hospital fighting for his very life.” Kenya flinched behind Brian's nasty stare trained on Jonathan. What information did Morgan know, that could shut down Brian or more importantly get Jonathan out of prison?

“You have no idea who shot your father?”

He set an ugly stare on Jonathan. “My son was about to inherit the castle from my father. But the marriage contract between his mother and I expired so the estate would go to my son with my wife, not my ex-wife.”

“So if you weren't married to his mother who becomes the heir, for the record?”

“My child with my wife,” he answered with a line of arrogance braided into his words.

Mr. Davis stretched a hand out over the audience. “Is your wife here today, Mr. Blakemore?”

“No,” indicating a monitor in front of the judge, “my wife, I'm proud to say, gave birth this week to my son.” The attorney handed the judge a slip of paper. “She's home recuperating.”

“Mrs. Morgan Blakemore will be present via Skype.”

The Judge turned to Mr. Hines and the room let out a groan.

The Judge asked, “Mr. Hines do you have a problem with this?”

Hines shot Jonathan a questioning glance, but Morgan had been due as Kenya was now. “No your honor, we have no problem with Mrs. Morgan Blakemore's testimony being transmitted into the courtroom.” He indicated with a nod toward the monitor. “We have not seen legally signed documentation that Morgan Blakemore has signed off on the marriage license or paternity has been verified as to it being Brian Blakemore's heir.”

The judge said to Mr. Davis, “Prosecutor do you have a signed statement as to the marriage being filed and with appropriate signatures?”

“On the marriage, yes, I do your honor. The paternity tests are being processed.” He picked a folder from his table, walking it across the courtroom to hand to the Judge. The Judge looked over the paper then called up Mr. Hines to see the signed papers. Hines grimaced then returned to Jonathan. Kenya could hardly keep her foot from bouncing with her legs crossed as she sat behind Jonathan.