“But she died,” she whispered softly.
“She did.” He’d never shield them from the truth, but he still didn’t know how to soften it for a kid.
“Do you think she’s in Heaven, Papa?”
“Definitely, Peanut. She loved God very much. In fact, she would read you Bible stories so you would know God loved you and she did too.”
“That’s what they said at church. That God loves us.”
“It’s true.” He hated that he didn’t let them know early on. He had a lot to atone for.
“Will we ever have a mama?”
He sighed. Lord help him. “I don’t know, sweetie, but God knows.”
She sat up. “Can I ask Him for a mom?”
Guy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry uncle. “Sure you can. In the Bible it says to ask Him for what we want and He will hear us.”
“Okay, I’m going to ask Him.” She got off the bed. “Night, Papa. I’m going to go talk to God.”
He stared at her, bemused. Usually she asked him to tuck her back in, but apparently, she needed alone time. “Night, Peanut.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Michelle opened the courthouse doors and breathed in. There was nothing like being in the place where justice prevailed. Well, most of the time. She saw Tanya waiting on a bench and waved. She sat her briefcase on the conveyor belt, so she could pass through security.
“Morning, Craig.”
The security guard’s face lit up with a smile. “Hey, Ms. Thomas. I haven’t seen you around. I almost thought you’d quit or something.” The sound of his booming voice echoed.
“I moved to Freedom Lake and started my own firm.”
“Good for you. I pray God keeps you prosperous.”
She stopped, stunned. “Thank you, Craig. I really appreciate that.”
“No problem.” He tipped his hat. “You have a good session.”
With a nod, Michelle walked forward. She’d never thought of someone praying for her, but it warmed her heart. It made her feel special somehow. Tanya stood up and met her in the middle of the wide hall.
“I’m nervous,” she whispered.
“Understood, but it’s just a preliminary hearing. You’ll be fine.” She rubbed Tanya’s shoulder.
In the short time she’d worked for her, Tanya had proven herself invaluable. Thankfully, the young woman received glowing references from her previous employer despite the OWI charge. He hadn’t wanted to fire her, but it was company policy no one could be employed with criminal charges pending.
Got to love morality clauses.
They walked through the heavy oak doors and entered courtroom seven. There was something about the judicial process that made her want to dance in excitement. She could only hope this case went well for her client. Maybe I should pray instead of hope.
“All rise for the Honorable Judge Matthew Stephens.”
The bailiff read through the court docket numbers. She could feel Tanya shaking next to her. Lord, please help her calm down and trust in You. She paused. What was Tanya’s religious affiliation? And why did she care?
“How does the defendant plea.”
Michelle snapped to the present. “Your honor, the defendant is willing to plead guilty to the OWI charge and accept the punishment the court sets, but she is not willing to plead guilty for the involuntary manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter charges.”
Judge Stephens peered at her over his wire-rimmed glasses. “Curious, Ms. Thomas. Did you advise her to do so?”
“Yes, Your Honor. The defendant admits to the OWI despite the mishandling of the field sobriety test the Kodiak City Police Department performed.”
“Don’t push it, Ms. Thomas.” He looked toward the prosecutor’s table. “Do you accept this plea?”
“No, Your Honor. The OWI and involuntary manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter go hand in hand. We intend to prove so during trial.”
Judge Stephens took off his glasses and grabbed a cloth to clean them. He glanced at the prosecuting attorney. “Mr. Spicket, how often do we have someone admit to an OWI charge?”
“Not often, Your Honor.”
“Exactly, Mr. Spicket. Why would Ms. Bledsoe plead guilty to the OWI but not the manslaughter charges.”
“Your Honor, she’s trying to escape the punishment that comes from the Class B and C felonies.”
“And rightly so, if she is found innocent. Since you are unwilling to accept the plea without a guilty for all charges, the court will set a date for the trial.” He banged the gravel. “Court’s adjourned.”
He stood and headed for his chambers.
Tanya turned to her. “So what does that mean?” Her gray eyes darted back and forth as she tried to make sense of the proceedings.
“It means we have to go to court. The prosecutor wants you to be found guilty of all charges to get the severest punishment. I’ve used the same tactic.”
“What are my chances of them succeeding?”
“With me as your lawyer slim to none, and slim just left the building.”
A small smile appeared on Tanya’s face. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime. Let’s go.”
She walked down the aisle, nodding to the prosecuting attorney. He nodded in greeting. Most likely he’d call her soon to go over the case. For now, they would do the respectable head nod and go their separate ways.
The rest of her day passed swiftly and soon Michelle found herself in her sanctuary: the backyard. She took deep breaths, inhaling the spring air and exhaling the stress of the day. She so desperately needed the solitude and peace offered out here. Her stomach had been twisted more than a pretzel. First, the normal nerves of court plagued her, then as the time passed, thoughts of her impending date filled the crevices of her mind.
Why had she said yes to Guy? Was it because he had asked her the exact same way he did in high school? Or was it because she never got over him? She had to admit, all the guys she dated after him had been lacking something. Was it simply because they weren’t Guy? They had been judged as too tall, too short, too buff, not buff enough. She sighed. None of those superficial thoughts came to mind when she thought about Guy
