He sat to the judge’s right, looking the part of an expensive suit from the city. His sun-bleached hair was practically white, as were his eyebrows.

An imposing figure, Kathryn thought, but underneath all that shine likely no better or smarter than Wyatt. It was in an office like this that Eden had been snatched away. And today that curse would become her blessing.

Fitting.

Judge Cobb sat at the end of the long table, examining a short stack of legal documents laid before him. He was a thick man, smartly dressed, with fleshy jowls and thinning hair.

After quick introductions, the judge invited them all to sit. Kathryn took the chair to the judge’s left, with Eden and Wyatt by her side.

The judge cleared his throat, sat back in the leather chair and removed the bifocals perched on the end of his pudgy nose.

“Everything appears to be in order. I’ve got a full docket today so let’s not waste anyone’s time. Mr. McDermott, I presume you have no objections to expediting this matter.”

“No, Your Honor,” he said.

“Wonderful. It’s nice when counsel is agreeable. I’m not one for . . . unexpected surprises.”

“Nor am I.”

The judge turned toward Eden. “First off, congratulations, young lady. Must feel good to be an adult now in the eyes of the law.”

Eden glanced up at Kathryn. Poor girl was as frightened as a mouse.

“Go on. You can answer him.”

“I guess,” Eden said.

“You guess?” He chuckled. “When I turned eighteen, I thought I was the king of the world and could do anything or go anywhere. Looks to me like you’ve got a good head on you.”

Kathryn reached over and squeezed Eden’s hand. “She’s a very special girl. A gift from God.”

“I can see that. And you obviously have a loving mother who’s raised you right,” the judge said. “I’m not sure you need much more than that.”

Eden nodded.

“There are several items to address today, but I’ll cut to the quick. I’m sure you’re ready to get on with this.”

“She is,” Kathryn said. “We all are.”

“And you, Eden?” the judge said.

“I’ll be speaking on Eden’s behalf today, Your Honor.”

His brow arched. “Is that so, Eden?”

“Yes.”

“Very well,” he said. “But if you have any questions, just ask.”

“Of course.”

“As you know, we’re here to execute the final provisions of James Ringwald’s trust. As his sole biological child, Eden is entitled to assets he established for her benefit. Before ownership of the trust can be transferred, there are a few legal requirements to fulfill. As representative of the Ringwald estate, Mr. McDermott’s first responsibility is to confirm that Eden is, in fact, the congressman’s daughter.”

The judge slid the stack of legal documents in front of Kathryn.

So this was it. A few forms—simple bits of paper that would make the world right with a few strokes of a pen.

He tapped the top piece of paper with his finger. “These affidavits are sworn written statements that confirm Eden’s identity as Alice Ringwald, also known as Eden Lowenstein.”

Kathryn scanned each form and passed the affidavits to Eden to be signed. One by one, the judge talked about the significance of each document, but Kathryn hardly heard what he said. She was focused on doing what needed to be done as quickly as possible.

Eden didn’t hesitate either and played her role just as she was expected to, signing where indicated. There were no questions and no problems.

Kathryn gathered the documents and gave them to the judge, who scrawled his signature on each one.

He glanced at the young lady in a gray suit at the opposite end of the table. “Miss Chatwick. We’re ready for you.”

The woman stood and approached Eden.

“Miss Chatwick will administer a simple paternity test. To satisfy the stipulations of the trust, a sample of Eden’s DNA must be compared to the late Congressman Ringwald’s to verify that he’s her father.”

The tall brunette stopped beside Eden, placed a small black kit on the table, then pulled on blue surgical gloves.

“You need her blood?” Kathryn asked.

“No, ma’am. Just some saliva,” she said and carefully pulled a capped plastic tube from the kit.

The woman uncapped it, then slid out a long cotton swab. “This won’t hurt at all, Eden. I just need you to open your mouth so I can run it along the inside of your cheek. A few cells are all I need for my analysis. Okay?”

“Okay.” Eden opened her mouth.

Watching her daughter, a chill prickled Kathryn’s forearms. Eden had her father’s lips. They were full like his, an unmistakable detail she remembered because it was the first thing she had noticed about James long ago.

Miss Chatwick leaned close and carefully scraped the inside of Eden’s mouth with the swab, then returned the swab to the tube and sealed the sample with an orange sticker.

“All done,” she said, and stood. “I’ll have my findings to you by end of day today, Your Honor. And to you as well, Mr. McDermott.”

“Thank you, Miss Chatwick.”

“There’s one final order of business,” the judge said. “I understand that a bank account in Eden’s name has been established, is that right, Kathryn?”

“That’s right.”

“Also that Eden is electing to sign a durable financial power of attorney to you.”

“She is,” Kathryn said. “I’ll be handling everything.”

The judge nodded and turned to Eden. “Since you’re legally entitled to the assets, I need to be sure you understand what this means. By designating your mother as financial power of attorney, you’re stating that you’re either incapable or unwilling to manage your affairs. You’re surrendering the legal right to access the funds to your mother and she may use them for your benefit as she deems fit. Do you understand that?”

“Yes.”

“Is that your intention?”

It occurred to Kathryn that with a few simple words here, before the judge, Eden could destroy everything. She wouldn’t, of course—she’d learned the true blessing of obedience, both to God and to those God had placed in authority over her. But for a moment, Kathryn felt a pang of empathy for her. In a way, she was no more than a slave doing the bidding of her master for her master’s gain.

Then again, that’s the way it was with God. They were all his children, for his sake. And when his children were obedient, even unto death if so required, they were blessed. So this was really Eden’s blessing.

She let the empathy pass and smiled at her daughter, who glanced up at her with questioning eyes.

Eden turned back to the judge. “Yes.”

“Very well then.” He gave the power of attorney document to Eden. “Powers of attorney aren’t forever. As long as you are mentally capable, you may revoke it at any time and regain full control of the accounts.”

“I can’t think of a reason she’d change her mind,” Kathryn said. “Can you, Eden?”

Eden hesitated, for just a moment, then answered as Kathryn knew she would. “No.”

“Regardless, it’s a protection for both of you. Do you understand that?”

“I do.”

“Good. Go ahead and sign the form.”

Fact was, Kathryn was sure that as soon as she had legal access to Eden’s trust, Zeke would want her to transfer all the money out. Eden would no longer have access to any of it, ever.

Eden signed the form and then passed it to the judge.

He shuffled the forms together into a neat stack and smiled. “Well, that’s that. Congratulations, Eden. It’s quite an accomplishment to become an adult and a millionaire all in the same day. The good Lord smiles on you.”

“He most certainly does,” Kathryn said.

“Your Honor, may I say something before we adjourn?” McDermott said. “Off the record, of course. I think it’s appropriate considering the absence of my client, Eden’s father.”

The judge nodded.