DILF DIARIES_Oh Baby Read online

  What if it was a trap set up by her father? Maybe he was testing her, or just bored and screwing with her head. There were too many what ifs.

  Like what if Teagan was right? What if she could trust her? And what if Jack was going to end up with his little girl despite her father’s interference because Teagan was going to see to it?

  It was a gamble, and Jules needed to decide which hand to play. Truth be told, she could give up Jack like her father demanded and he could still lose Ramsey, or she could stand by her man and take on her father and the courts with Jack because she loved him and that was what you did for people you loved. You grow a set and fight for them.

  She could fight for him and help him fight for Ramsey. Teagan had her back, after all. Was that one of those subliminal messages Teagan was becoming famous for? Did she really know something none of them knew, not even James Walker?

  Court was set to start soon, and Jules needed to decide what to do. Show up, support Jack, and stick it to her dad? Or cower, stay home, and never show her face again…anywhere? Start packing because she wouldn’t be able to stay in Portland after breaking Jack’s heart, or get her ass to court and do what’s right?

  With a smile on her face, she grabbed her bag and keys and headed for the door. Before she went anywhere though, she needed to stop at Jack’s. He didn’t need to be there, and she still had a key. It had only been a little over twenty-four hours. Jules was a badass, and she was going to get her bad ass to court.

  Jules Walker just grew a set.

  Jack sat in court watching more of the same go down. Opposing counsel was twisting everything into something ugly. If Jack didn’t know any better, he’d think he ran a regular brothel and manufactured illegal moonshine he smuggled into third world countries where he robbed the blind and stole lunches from school kids. He was painted as a deadbeat. A lawbreaker. A real loser.

  Teagan had a rebuttal for everything, but it wasn’t enough. Jack could feel it. If she was the best there was, he was royally fucked.

  The court called Martha Mattmiller to the stand. Everyone looked around, wondering who the hell Martha was. They were a close group, everyone knew everyone. Except for this Martha Mattmiller.

  When Marty came forward, there were snickers all around.

  “Shut up, you hooligans, or no cornbread,” she scolded them, unashamed. Then she looked to Laura sitting next to her weasel lawyer. “You. You don’t get any.”

  The judge’s gavel dropped, and he called order in the court after her outburst. It didn’t faze Marty, though.

  “Hello, Tim,” she said to the judge presiding. “I’m sorry, Your Honor,” she snickered. “How’s the wife? She know you’ve been down at the senior center again?”

  Jack recalled her senior center comment and snorted at the threat. Then Teagan grinned; she must have known. Teagan wouldn’t be doing her job if she didn’t, she would say.

  Tim covered the mic and leaned toward Marty. “Is that a threat, Martha? I’ll hold you in contempt.”

  “And my first call will be to your wife for bail money.” She smiled.

  “Counsel, call your witness,” Judge Tim said to Teagan.

  Teagan proceeded to question Marty, who spoke highly of Jack. She praised him as a firefighter. Called him a community leader. Called him a friend. And said he was an amazing father and Ramsey was the luckiest little lady in the world to call him hers. Marty was a real asshole, but she loved them, and it showed. She was also an incredible actress, because she let a tear loose, but winked at Jack, letting him know it was staged.

  When Laura’s attorney went after Marty, he got what he had coming. She let him have it, turning every question back on him. Asked if he enjoyed breaking up families — didn’t his mother love him enough? She even asked him if he liked cornbread. He really didn’t get anywhere with Marty. When he finally sat down, it was in a daze. He just stared at the yellow lined tablet in front of him like a deer in headlights.

  Marty won that round, but would it be enough? They called the last handful of witnesses and were getting ready to call recess when Jules walked in — and she wasn’t subtle about her entrance.

  “Sorry, traffic was a nightmare,” she said.

  “Who are you?” the judge asked.

  “Juliet Walker. Uh, soon-to-be Mrs. Decker. I’m Jack’s…fiancée.” Jules gave Jack a megawatt smile, but the smile Jack gave in return was weak and unsure. It didn’t matter, because Laura and her attorney looked put off. Jules was a game changer.

  She took the stand, fielding every question like a champ. Everything Laura’s team threw at her was handled with grace and confidence. She wasn’t giving in. She seemed to have that stubborn stick back in place.

  “Jack Decker is many things,” she said. “He’s complicated, for all the right reasons. Everything he is being accused of is true, but not for the reasons someone wants you to believe. He’s frustrating, because he cares. He’s confident, because he’s good at what he does. He’s overwhelming, because his love is so big. He has people in and out of that house because he cares about them and wants them to have a safe place.”

  Jules turned from the judge and looked directly at Jack. “He’s in your face, because he’s real, and genuine. Jack Decker’s faults are his greatest qualities, and the one thing not being talked about is his greatest quality of all. He’s an amazing dad who will move heaven and earth for that little girl. His daughter can’t get enough of her daddy and to take him away from her…” Jules paused, the emotion settling in, “well, that would be criminal…” Jules looked directly at the judge, and winked, “much like taking a bribe…or something.”

  Teagan and Marty snickered, the only two seemingly in on Jules’ accusation just before they were released for lunch.

  A decision would be rendered in one hour.

  CHAPTER 15

  The judge ruled against Jack due to the evidence presented by Laura. He claimed there was just enough doubt left on the table that he wasn’t sure Jack was the best choice for Ramsey. Laura was to take custody until an official investigation could be conducted by the court.

  They would reconvene in thirty days to discuss the terms of custody, visitation, and so on. It was a load of smoldering shit. A cop out. Judge Tim was between a rock and a hard place with Jules’ father pulling at him on one side and Marty threatening him on the other. Judge Tim was due to retire before the thirty days were up, and there would be someone new overseeing and ruling on the case.

  Jack said an emotional goodbye to Ramsey, while Jules blamed herself. Teagan continued to stand behind her original claim — they would win. That this wasn’t over and to trust her, as if she knew something none of them did. Teagan called it a short curve in the road and left with a smile on her face.

  The days that followed were rough. People came and went, dropping off food, flowers, and to pay a quick visit. It was as if it were a funeral. Jack was grieving, so it was somewhat appropriate, he thought.

  Jack and Jules were together, and engaged for real now, which was the only thing keeping Jack’s head above water. But a piece was missing. A big piece.

  Jack kept Ramsey’s door closed after putting her things from around the house in there. It was too much for now. Jules understood.

  As the weekend approached, Jack said, “Let’s get away this weekend. Go to the coast, or the mountains — anything to get our minds off everything.”

  They were sitting together on the couch, pretending to watch a movie when he’d caught Jules off guard with the idea.

  “Teagan will call if we’re needed,” he went on. “We both still have some time before we go back to work. Let’s just…go.”

  “McKenzie Ridge?” Jules asked, referring to their favorite small mountain town east of Portland.

  Jack smiled. “It’s perfect.”

  It didn’t take long to arrange their visit — just a quick phone call to a friend who lived there and everything was set. It was the next day, and they’d just finished packing
and were getting ready to head out to beat Friday traffic when there was a knock at door.

  “Who could that be?” Jules asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe Felix checking in? He’s going to watch the place while we’re gone,” Jack answered.

  When they approached the door, their pace quickened. They heard crying. Ramsey crying.

  “Oh my God,” Jules said when Jack opened the door to find Laura and Ramsey both in tears.

  “I made a mistake,” Laura said.

  Jack stepped aside and let her in. They all sat in the living room while Laura continued to hold Ramsey, kissing her head often before she finally pulled herself together and handed Ramsey to Jack.

  “It’s too hard. I’m not ready,” Laura started. “She really misses you, and I’m…no good at this, no matter how much I want her in my life.”

  “You can have her in your life, Laura. I’d never forbid it,” Jack offered.

  “Visits are one thing, but all day everyday…she really misses her dad, and I’m not…her mom.”

  “At least you didn’t ditch her on someone’s porch this time,” Jules said under her breath, but loud enough to be heard.

  Laura sighed, riddled with emotion. “I deserved that. I’ve been thinking. I love her so, so much, and I do want to be a big part of her life, teach her about her mom, share things about this side of her family, but I don’t think this was how it was all meant to be. I think she needs you.”

  Jack and Jules looked at each other with surprise. Could this really be happening? Before they could say another thing, there was another knock at door.

  “Again?” Jules asked. “I’m starting to hate that door.”

  They didn’t even move from their seats this time when the person on the other side let themselves in. Teagan.

  “This just keeps getting weirder by the second,” Jack whispered to Jules, who sat in awe as the powerhouse of a woman came in and planted her confident ass right next to Laura.

  “Oh, good. You’re here,” Laura said. “I was hoping we could call you. I would like to come to an agreement, outside of court, if they’re willing.” Laura nodded to Jack and Jules.

  “Wait. You didn’t call her?” Jules asked of Laura.

  Teagan gave her a cross look, like she should know by now that Teagan shows up when and where she’s needed without reservation or invitation.

  Laura turned her attention to Teagan, who was pulling files and forms from her supple leather satchel. “She should be with her dad and soon-to-be mom.” A quiet sob escaped Jules. “But I would like visitation. Maybe see her on her birthday and holidays — when it works for Jack and Jules, of course.”

  Teagan sat silent, a shit eating grin plastered on her face. She pulled a file from the stack and handed it to Laura.

  Laura read it, nodding as she did, and finally asked, “This…it’s perfect, but how did you know?”

  Teagan let out a hoot of a laugh and shook her head. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t know.”

  Jack and Jules grinned. Classic Teagan.

  Laura handed the papers to Jack and Jules. “If this works for you, it works for me.”

  Jack didn’t even look at them. “Laura, you’re always welcome. I — we would love for you to be in Ramsey’s life. She deserves all of us, don’t you think? I don’t care what that paper says, you’re family now, and family figures it out.”

  Now, it was Laura’s turn to let out a sob. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you or see any other way until now. None of that was what my sister would have wanted. This right here…this is what Kate would have wanted.”

  “Okay, family. I know it all feels real good right now and we don’t need contracts here, but the court does, so if you will all sign where I’ve highlighted.” Teagan didn’t do feelings and brought it all back to business. “Laura, you’re pink. Jack, you’re blue. I can get this filed with the court and make it all official right away.”

  “Done. Got a pen?” Jack asked.

  They spent time talking and discussing tentative plans to get together for this and that so Laura and Ramsey could get to know each other better before Laura finally left. Reluctant at first, but she knew this was right.

  Teagan saw her to the door while Jack and Jules spent time with their baby. It had only been a couple days that they were separated, but felt like much longer.

  “How did you get here so fast?” Jack asked when Teagan entered the room. “I mean, that was super hero fast.”

  “I’ve had people on you and her for weeks — since before you knew this was a thing,” Teagan admitted. “I knew she’d crack.”

  “Why?” Jack asked. “Why were you watching us? Or even knew to?”

  “My father,” Jules deadpanned. Jules had since brought Jack up to speed on her father and the role he’d played in everything that had happened.

  Teagan nodded. “Your father. He was interested in Jack. When my guy was watching you two, he saw Laura’s guy watching too and followed him. We put two and two together, and — bam!”

  “Unbelievable,” Jack said in disbelief.

  “Oh, it’s quite believable. This is James Walker we’re talking about. He’s a ruthless bastard.” Teagan laughed. “I better get going if I’m going to file an emergency petition with the court. Looks like you’re headed out of town?”

  Jack looked at the bags by the door. So much had changed in an hour and handful of minutes. “We were. I mean, can we? Or should we wait until the court—?”

  Teagan put up her hand to stop Jack. “This piece of paper is all we need. Go have some family time and start planning your wedding. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I don’t know how I can ever thank you.” There weren’t enough words for Jack to express how he felt.

  “Seeing James Walker turn blood red while smoke spews from his ears is thanks enough,” Teagan said, making her way to the front door. “By the way, I’m ordained if you need someone to marry you.”

  “Ordained? Woman of all trades,” Jules chuckled.

  “It was part of my job. Married your father and his last two wives.” She rolled her eyes as she passed through the door on her way to the waiting town car.

  “Hey, Teagan?” Jules hollered from the front porch. “Tell my dad to go to hell and he’s not invited to the wedding.”

  Teagan tossed her head back and let out a laugh that came from deep within her belly. “Girl, you grew a set.”

  Jack’s face sank in, confused by the inside joke. “Grew a set?”

  Jules wrapped her arms around her man, heading back inside so they could pack a bag for Ramsey and get on the road. “I’ll show you later.”

  The End

  About Stephanie St. Klaire

  Stephanie St. Klaire debuted in 2016, launching her writing career with Rescued, the first book in the six book series known as McKenzie Ridge. Stephanie is a Pacific Northwest native currently living in Oregon with her husband, five children, and two ferocious lap dogs.

  As a writer, Stephanie brings realistic circumstances to the pages, and fills them with real emotion, reactions, and outcomes. Her characters are passionate, have bold personalities, and full of life. She writes happily ever after’s, with plenty of twists, turns, drama, and of course, steamy romance.

  Stephanie has always been a story teller, with the gift of “gab”, and a life-long goal to be a writer. Unfortunate circumstances with her health, finally afforded her the time to do so. Irony at its best, she began writing her first novel at an adverse time, to escape her circumstance and explore the stories in her imagination for relief. She is happy to share those stories with her readers, and bring a little fun, entertainment, and of course smexy characters to the pages.

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  WHAT TO READ NEXT...

  Start at the beginning with the widely popular McKenzie Ridge series, but don’t stop there...

  BOOK 1: RESCUED

  BOOK 2: HIDDEN

  BOOK 3: FORGOTTEN

  BOOK 4: FEARLESS

  BOOK 5: REDEMPTION

  WANT MORE OF THOSE O’REILLY BROTHERS?

  Check out Stephanie’s McKenzie Ridge spin-off series, Brother’s Keeper! Get ready to fall in love with these alpha heroes with heart. They’ll take you to the edge of your seat with nail biting suspense, roaring laughter, and steamy h-o-t lovin’!

  BOOK 1: DECLAN

  BOOK 2: LIAM

  BOOK 3: LUKE

  START LAUGHING WITH STEPHANIE’S NEW STANDALONE ROMCOM SERIES, DILF DIARIES!

  Firefighter Jack Decker may put out fires by day, but he lets the sheets smolder at night. He likes to find the H-O-T and leave them W-E-T!

  BOOK 1: OH BABY