Cordero and Alexandra met 53 days ago.

PREVIOUS POST:

"I know what you're doing," interrupted Cordero. "You're ending all doubt that Matt's my son." He leaned over and kissed her. "I appreciate it." He glanced toward the house. "Mom kept all that. When we go inside, I'll have her get it. Right now, I want to spend time with you."

"Good." She leaned in and kissed him.

After a few more kisses, he asked, "So you want a small wedding and private honeymoon?"

Alexandra turned crimson. "You weren't supposed to hear that. It was private."

"Why? I thought we shared everything."

"We do but..." When his eyebrows rose, Alexandra asked, "What would your ideal wedding and honeymoon look like?"

"I agree with you; a very small intimate wedding and a private honeymoon with you." Cordero closed his eyes. "Sorry." After a pause, he said, "I think it's time to go inside.

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 28 A

Alexandra and Cordero waited at the courthouse door for Amy Harding, her son, and Sandy Smith, the lady who had been hired to help Amy get her life on track.

As they waited, Pat Rogers and his attorney, Lester Brown walked in. Pat glanced around. "I see Harding isn't here. She knows I'm not the brat's dad."

Lester ushered Pat into the courtroom whispering to him.

It wasn't long before Amy, Sandy, and Matthew walked up the courthouse steps. Amy and Alexandra hugged before the greetings. It was decided Matthew and Sandy would wait in the foyer until Alexandra called for them.

*****
Inside the courtroom, the bailiff announced, "All rise."

Judge Sean Pickett walked in and scanned the courtroom before he sat. "Ms. Baker, are you ready to present your case?"

"Your Honor, Ms. Amy Harding is returning to court hoping to adjust child support for her minor son, Matthew Harding."

Lester Brown stood. "Your Honor, my client would like to state to the court he isn't this child's father."

Alexandra jumped up and cringed, lifting her ankle. "Your Honor, if I may remind the court, the identity of Matthew's father was established in March of 2012 during the first child support hearing. DNA results confirmed that Pat Rogers is the father of Matthew Harding."

Brown faced Alexandra. "My client challenges the authenticity of the DNA results. He couldn't be the father because he never dated Ms. Harding."

"Your Honor, we're not opposed to another DNA test, if necessary. I feel I can prove they did date."

Pickett nodded. "Ms. Black, present your case."

Alexandra handed the judge a photograph. "During their senior year Mr. Rogers pinned a homecoming corsage on Ms. Harding."

Pat stood. "Ortiz was her date. He couldn't get the flower right. I helped."

Another picture was handed to Sean. "Izabella Ruiz was Mr. Ortiz homecoming date that same year." Alexandra presented additional photos. "These are my client and Mr. Rogers' dates throughout their junior and senior years." She handed the judge the yearbook. "I have placed colored tabs on the pages indicating documented dates Mr. Rogers had with Ms. Harding. Inside the back cover, Mr. Rogers wrote a heartwarming message to Ms. Harding stating how he felt about her."

After reading, Judge Pickett studied Mr. Rogers. "It's obvious you dated her during high school."

"Maybe a few dates, but Ortiz took her to prom."

"Your Honor, I have proof during senior prom Mr. Ortiz was seven hours away at a rodeo. Would you like to see it?"

The judge shook his head and glanced at Pat. "Want to try again?"

"I might have taken her to prom, but I in no way fathered a child."

Judge Pickett glanced at Alexandra. "Do you have any additional proof?"

"I do." She held up additional photographs and papers. "Here are photos Mrs. Harding took of her daughter's bites and bruises after her prom date with Mr. Rogers. There are dates and times stamped on the backs of each photo. Here's a statement from Mr. Rogers' dentist stating the bite marks match his teeth imprints."

"There's no way this will stand up in court," said Lester. "We had no knowledge these existed."

"Your Honor?" asked Alexandra. After she paused, she held up Amy's prom dress. "Since this was just discovered Friday, I haven't had an opportunity for forensics to examine it, but I'm betting Mr. Rogers' DNA is all over it."

Judge Pickett chuckled. "I wouldn't bet against you, Ms. Black."

She exhaled. "Your Honor, if Mr. Brown would feel it would be to his client's advantage, we can adjourn. I can have the dress examined and also present the photos as official evidence."

"There's no doubt the child in question is Mr. Rogers'. We still have the original DNA results. It's obvious they dated, so I see no reason for additional testing. These results stand. Onto child support. Ms. Black, what is your client asking?"

"Two things, Your Honor. First, in March 2012, Ms. Harding was awarded $75 a month. It's come to my attention that Ms. Harding hasn't received a single payment."

"That's a lie." Pat stood. "I paid her the first day of every month."

When Judge Pickett frowned in their direction, Mr. Brown encouraged Pat to sit and remain quiet.

Alexandra faced Pat. "If that's true, do you have proof? Maybe canceled checks or money order receipts?"

Sean studied Rogers. "I'd like your answer to that myself."

"I went to El Paso and gave her cash."

"Great." Judge Pickett asked, "Can you tell us her house number or the name of the street she lives on?" When Pat hung his head, he continued, "Let's try, describing the house, or maybe the color of your son's hair or eyes. Can you give us any proof you handed Ms. Harding $75 every month?"

The silence continued.

Alexandra said, "Your Honor, I'm requesting $8,100 back child support with ten percent interest included be paid to my client. That's a total of $8,910. We'll round it to $8,900."

"Since Mr. Rogers made no attempt to pay support plus lied to the court, he'll pay $10,000, due today before he leaves the building. Please continue, Ms. Black."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Alexandra held up a piece of paper. "I have Mr. Rogers' financial portfolio. He's paid $195,000 a year, that's over $16,250 a month. May I approach the bench?" After Sean nodded, she handed him the report. "I feel Matthew Harding should at least receive 10% which would be $1,625 per month."

Judge Pickett lifted his gavel. "Mr. Rogers will pay Ms. Harding $2000 a month child support, payable to the county clerk, who will mail a check to Ms. Harding. That way there's no question if he paid or not. I'm being generous. I'd be within my right to have you pay $3,250 or 20% of your income. I happen to be aware of your previous financial obligations." He slammed down his gavel.

Alexandra stood. "Thank you, Your Honor. Please two more things." After he nodded, she continued, "Matthew Harding is in the foyer. I feel it would help Mr. Rogers if he met his son." After the judge nodded, she had Sandy escort the child in. "Mr. Rogers, as you can see Matthew resembles a younger version of yourself."

Pat's eyes widened as he stared but remained silent.

Judge Pickett said, "Ms. Black, what else would you like to say?"

"I have assault and attempted kidnapping charges filed against Mr. Rogers. I'd be willing to forget those with the agreement he is never one day late on his child support payments or any of the payments he owes to..."

"The four ladies named in the plea agreement?" interrupted Sean. When she nodded, he continued, "That's very generous. Are you sure?"

"Yes Sir, I want to make sure these ladies get the money they deserve. If he's one day late, I'll continue with my case."

The judge nodded. "I understand and will honor that request."

*****
In the foyer, Cordero and Alexandra watched Mr. and Mrs. Harding hug Amy. Alexandra smiled. "I think everything will work out."

He pecked her cheek. "I think you're right."

Judge Pickett walked up to Alexandra. "It's a very unselfish thing you're doing. You know Rogers would get prison time for what he and Luke Jones did."

"I know, but if he's in jail, the ladies wouldn't get the money they deserve, would they?" After Sean nodded, Alexandra continued, "I understand Jones is in jail on an outstanding warrant."

"He is and will be there for a long time."

She studied a paper in her hand. "Excuse me. I need to file this with the clerk before I forget."

Sean watched her walk away, and then glanced at Cordero. "So, I'll get to watch her in court again?"

"You will. She's trying to get Rogers to pay Lisa Johnson's doctor's bills for maternity appointments."

"Are you saying when he raped her, she got pregnant?"

"Yep. Since her husband died there was no reason for her to pay for maternity insurance."

"It never stops with that man." The judge paused. "Cord, Alexandra's a good woman. You need to marry her before somebody else snatches her up."

"I'm going to give it my best shot."


~~~~~
On the back of every Polaroid photo, you'll find a 10�???�??�?�¢?"11-digit code. Film produced before 04/18 will have a 10-digit code while film produced after this date will have an 11-digit code. This code is the time and date the photo was taken.
~~~~~

~~~~~
I intentionally left off the accents on fiance and fiancee. I also intentionally left off the trema or dieresis on naive. I didn't want Evil Eddie adding all sorts of strange characters in my post. Thank you for understanding.
~~~~~~

~~~~
Hola is Spanish for hello.

Mi hijo & Mijo are Spanish for son. Jorge uses them often.

Bendecido is Spanish for blessed.

Querido is Spanish for dear or sweetheart.

De nada is Spanish for no problem or you're welcome.

Rancho de los Toros Salvajes is Spanish for Wild Bull Ranch.
~~~~~

CHARACTER LIST:

Cordero Ortiz: 'Cord' runs his parents' Texas ranch

Alexandra Black: 'Ali' is a New York City corporate lawyer, is a junior partner in huge family law firm

Jorge and Rosa Ortiz: Cordero's parents who own a large West Texas Ranch

Jim: One of the ranch foremen and best friend of Cordero. He takes care of the main house and surrounding ranch area.

Bob: One of the ranch foremen and good friend of Cordero. He works the entire ranch.

Pat Rogers: Bank owner, not a good person

Lester Brown: Pat Rogers lawyer

Sam Bailey: Lobo's Sheriff.

Dr. Bart Barnes: Town doctor

Judge Sean Pickett: County Judge

Tonia and Brent Black: Alexandra's parents

George Black Alexandra's grandpa

Luke: All around bad guy

Amy Harding: A lady who Pat Rogers raped during High School Prom, her son, Matthew

Alan Griffin Alexandra's ex