Free Laws of Love by JT Schultz Page B

strong.
    What is running through his mind?
    “Fine,” Jack faced the judge. “Just let me finish.”
    The woman clutching the gavel frowned. “You are finished.”
    He turned fro m the judge. “Abby, please don’t do this.” She could hear the emotion in his voice. “Don’t ruin what we had and still can have—”
    “Mr. Hunter , I warned you. I hold you in contempt!” The gavel slammed down. “Bailiff, take him away.”
    The Bailiff stepped toward Jack, but he stepped away from him and darted closer to Abby. Her heart lurched to her throat. “No…”
    “Let me talk!” he snapped at the bailiff as he grabbed Jack’s arms and threw his chest against the table she had been sitting at. He had stopped struggling as another bailiff approached. They cuffed him then yanked him to an upright position.
    It was only by a force of nature that she didn’t cry. His dark eyes met her gaze and sadness reflected in them.
    “If the property means that much to you then I don’t want it.”
    The men walked Jack away from her.
    He shook his head and sadness turned to blatant grief on his handsome face. “I only want you, Abby.” He turned to his lawyer. “They can have it.”
    “JW?” Anthony bellowed with unmasked anger. “What has gotten into you?”
    “The boy has flipped his cracker, that’s what’s going on ,” Mrs. Burlington told Abby quietly as the courtroom erupted into noise and chaos.
    Abby shot her a leveled look and glanced back at Jack as the Bailiff’s pushed open the door. “I love her,” he called to his attorney then looked at Abby. “I love you.” The doors fell shut and Jack was gone. She just stood there and stared. Her stomach rolled and fierce pricks started behind her eyes.
    “Love, yeah , that would cause some rich guy to give up that land. All for a woman that is standing here and refusing to admit that she loves him too.”
    Turning, Abby looked at Mrs. Burlin gton. “Why did you have to say that?”
    “Order in the court!” Judge O’ Neil banged her wooden ha mmer as Jack’s words sunk in. The courtroom settled and her stomach became turbulent. “Counsel, approach the bench.”
    “She ain’t happy.”
    “Gee, you think?”Abby glanced at Mrs. “Peanut Gallery” Burlington, tossed her pen down on the table, and walked up to the bench where Jack’s attorney was standing.
    “I must say , Ms. Crosby, this has been a three ring circus.” The judge turned to defense. “As for you, Mr. Frost, your client was out of line. Would you like court to recess until Mr. Hunter is able to join us?”
    “No, as per my client’s instructions and his poor judgment, we will not be taking any further course and will allow the plaintiffs to stay on the property.” The lawyer from hell scowled at her then returned his attention to the judge.
    Swallowing h ard, she shivered, never more thankful that she hadn’t married into that family. She had won—and lost. Looking at the judge, she waited for a decision.
    “Fine , I’ll see you both here at nine a.m. on Monday morning after the long weekend to discuss any punitive damages. Court is adjourned!” Slamming the gavel down again, the judge had said her piece and Abby turned.
    She plastered a smile on her face and walked over to Mrs. Burlingt on, who now stood talking to Abby’s mom. Struggling to find her voice, she digested everything that had happened. “You won. I have to come back on Monday and go over the details.”
    “I’m so proud of you.” Her mom l eaned in and hugged her tight. “You did a good thing, Abby.”
    “You did a good thing , indeed.” Mrs. Burlington patted her back.
    If she had done such a great thing, why did she feel sick inside?
     
    Jack sat in the holding cell and rubbed his wrists. This wasn’t good, and his father wasn’t going to be happy. He couldn’t really fire his own son, could he? What did it matter? Jack had just walked away from millions of dollars of land. The Gibson Street project was