Unforsaken (27 page)

Indeed, today's proceedings were a mere formality. The business would be legally declared insolvent and any assets would be turned over to the creditors. The only assets were the equipment at the mill and the gin. The deeds were gone, and there wasn't enough cotton left in the gin to fill so much as a pillow.

Despite the lack of drama, the room was packed. Not a seat was empty and many people stood along the back wall. The Chandler name had ruled the county for three generations, and today it would be stripped of power, dignity, and esteem. Her father was undoubtedly spinning in his grave.

Judge Stone favored her with a sympathetic smile before addressing everyone with a pleasant, “Good morning."

Without another word, he adjusted his reading glasses and scanned several documents. When he looked up, he spoke directly to Olivia. “You know as well as I what this is all about."

She nodded.

"I suggest we dispense with the formalities and get this matter resolved.” When she made no protest, he went on. “The court has received a petition, a bid you might say, from an outside party to pay the outstanding debt and take control of the interests."

She couldn't suppress a gasp of dismay. So soon! She had envisioned taking a few weeks to remove personal articles from her office and see that the employees were provided for, and
then
selling.

Rodger extracted his hand from her grip and rose to his feet. “Excuse me, your honor, this is the first we've heard of any such
petition."

"'Tis a fair and generous offer, much better than you would manage on the auction block, and it will prevent bankruptcy.” He glanced at Olivia. “I suggest you take it."

Rodger sank down beside her, his face sallow, and Olivia nodded, both to him and the judge.

"Well, there's no point in delaying. We can sign transfer papers right here."

"Now?” The question was nothing more than a squeak and Olivia cleared her throat and managed, “So soon?"

"The gentlemen are here,” he explained, as if it was a minor detail. He motioned to the bailiff. “Bring them in."

The double doors leading inside the courtroom opened and every head swiveled to see just who would be assuming control of the gin and lumber mill and, essentially, control of the county. Only Olivia remained facing straight ahead, her entire body frozen, unable to move.

Suddenly, Rodger was on his feet, and Eula gripped Olivia's hand and smiled almost knowingly. Three men made their way forward, and Olivia's mouth dropped open at the sight of Matthew, followed by Tom Jennings and Michael Sullivan.

"What is the meaning of this?” Rodger demanded. His hand fell protectively on Olivia's shoulder. “Haven't you caused this woman enough heartache?"

Matt glared at Rodger. “Too much, but I intend to make things right. What are you going to do for her?"

Rodger sat down without another word, and Judge Stone cleared his throat, displeased to have any commotion in his courtroom. “Gentlemen, if you have business with this court, speak up."

Mr. Sullivan stepped forward. “Your honor, in reviewing the accounts, it is obvious that Miss Chandler could easily have spared herself this embarrassment by reneging on a confidential agreement with Mr. Jennings. No one would have been the wiser and it would have been her word against his."

"Is this true?"

"Yes, sir.” Tom glanced at Olivia. “If it wasn't for her, every man in this county would have gone bust and she would have made good on the deal."

"She did better than that,” Mr. Sullivan added. “She sold the cotton, taking no commission for herself, to bolster the profits."

A ripple of whispers filled the courtroom, and Olivia felt every person's stare boring into her skull.

"The least we could do is repay her."

"Am I to understand that, as a collective, the cotton farmers are buying out the gin and the mill?"

"Not a buy out, your honor,” Mr. Sullivan explained. “Miss Chandler has done too much for the people of this county. No one wants to see the mill change hands."

"I have no doubt Miss Chandler is a generous and honorable person. Unfortunately, these qualities are what bring us here today."

"The reason we're here today is Olivia Chandler put her trust in people who betrayed her over and over again."

Rodger slumped forward, burying his face in his open palms, and Olivia forced herself to stand on shaky legs, “No, Matthew, I can't let you do this."

Judge Stone clapped his gavel on the desk. “Olivia, you'll have a chance to speak for yourself, but I want to hear what he has to say. Go ahead."

"Olivia did what she had to do to hang on to her business. It was the one thing she could count on.” He turned to face her. “I let her down, when she needed me to trust her motives rather judge her actions. That's why we're here today. That's why she's in this mess."

"That's not true.” She made her way into the aisle. “I'm to blame, not you. I let the business become more important to me than people. My father certainly did. I wanted to prove that I could run things as well as he did, that I didn't need anyone.” She drew a deep breath. “I wanted to love it as much as he did."

"That kind of love will never make you happy."

She laughed. “I realize that now, but it's a little late."

"It's never too late, Olivia.” He grasped her shoulders. “Please, don't say it's too late for us. We've wasted enough time as it is."

Before she could answer, a commotion stirred at the back of the courtroom, and they turned to see Maddy and Ada standing just inside the open doors and Sarah rushing down the center aisle toward the judge's bench.

"Is she ours, Daddy?” she asked breathlessly. “Can we take her home?"

The courtroom erupted in laughter and even Judge Stone chuckled, forgetting his gavel for once. Matt lifted Sarah into his arms and waited for the laughter to die down before answering her. “It's up to Olivia, honey. It's her decision."

"Well, if you're going to leave such an important decision up to me, you'll just have to bear the consequences.” Sarah reached for her and Olivia took the child in her arms. “I can't lose either one of you. Not ever again."

"I see no reason we can't take care of that here and now.” Judge Stone set aside the matter of the gin. “My clerk can have the license drawn up by the time you say the vows."

Olivia was stunned. She certainly hadn't expected this to be her wedding day.

"Judge Stone, this is hardly an appropriate setting for a wedding,” Eula protested. “And a proper wedding will take at least a week to plan."

"Miss Chandler, as hard a time as they've had getting married, I strongly suggest we not let them leave here today without a ceremony."

The assembly broke into applause, and Nancy rushed forward, taking Olivia's arm. “I'll never forgive you if I'm not the maid of honor."

Judge Stone banged his gavel and silenced the commotion. “Let's begin.” He cleared his throat. “In the presence of these witness, we're gathered to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman to be wed?"

"I do!” Sarah cried out. “I do. Forever and ever!"