Jack’s POV
The early morning air was thick with tension. Even the quiet expanse of the Carter Ranch couldn’t dull the anxiety curling in my chest. I sat on the porch, hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, staring out at the frost-covered fields.
Today was the day.
The first hearing for Ellie’s custody battle.
Behind me, I could hear the murmurs of activity inside—Mason on the phone, Bruce and Brian discussing security measures, and Rose…
Rose had been silent since last night.
I glanced at the window and saw her sitting in the living room, curled up on the couch, staring at a stack of old documents Mason had pulled up on Margaret. She wasn’t reading them. Just… staring.
I knew that look.
She was preparing for battle.
And I wasn’t about to let her fight it alone.
The sound
