“Yes,” Judge Wilson responded with a smile. “I apologize for the confusion and the last-minute switch. Judge Bradley informed me he needed to recuse himself and asked if I would mind driving up to hear the case rather than going through a reschedule so close to the date. Since I had an opening, I agreed.”

Milton paled. “Thank you for the explanation, Your Honor. Could you tell us when the request was made?”

“Last night. Apparently, his daughter is in a relationship with one of the parties, and he felt he couldn’t be impartial.” She adjusted her thin-framed glasses. “The docket has been updated online, naturally.”

“Of course, Your Honor.” He leaned down and conferred with Xander as the courtroom buzzed with muffled commentary. “Your Honor, my client would like to request a continuance.”

“On what grounds?” she asked.

“On the grounds that this last-minute change has left us at a disadvantage and we’ll need extra time to prepare.” Milton sounded rockier than his reasoning.

“Your request is denied. An impartial judge is an impartial judge, and I assure you that I couldn’t care less about where Judge Bradley is seated. Also, the court psychologist has assured me that Arthur Daniels is capable of testimony today, and that’s not something I’m willing to risk losing, given his diagnosis. We’ll proceed as planned.”

Milton’s shoulders sagged as he sat.

“Mr. Robinson, since your client has moved to change the guardianship of Arthur Daniels, the floor is yours,” Judge Wilson stated.

As Simon stood to give his opening, I looked at Dad. “You recused yourself?” Emotion tangled my tongue and clogged my throat.

His eyes met mine, softening exponentially. “I’m stubborn, Willow. Not stupid,” he repeated with a wry smile. “I’ve presided over thousands of cases, and none of them—including this one—is worth losing my daughter over.” He looked around my head. “Either of my daughters.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Just remember that I’m sitting with you, Willow. You and Charity and your mother. Not him.” He nodded toward Cam. “You.”

“That’s more than enough.” I smiled slowly, and when I turned to watch Simon start his delivery, I caught Charity nodding at Dad.

Both sides delivered an opening, stating their cases as to why Art’s guardian should be their client. Both stood firmly on their stance with the DNR.

Cam was first on the stand.

He answered Simon’s questions easily, telling the judge about the voicemail that had brought him home and what it had been like to see Art on the respirator after he’d been poisoned by carbon monoxide.

“He did well,” Dad whispered as Milton rose to question Cam. “Strong, clear voice, sound reasoning, and no ill will harbored toward Xander. Very well.”

“If you ever decide to give up the bench, you could always go for a career in courtroom commentating,” I whispered.