Tom Pritchard spoke next. "Mrs. Callahan approached me three weeks ago about selling her wheat harvest. She had it all figured out, exactly how much she needed, what price she could accept, when she could deliver." He looked directly at Morrison.
"She wasn't looking for special treatment or sympathy, just a fair deal for good wheat. That's not the behavior of someone who's unfit or irresponsible. That's good business sense." Miss Warren added her voice.
"Sarah Callahan has been my student for two years. She's bright, well-behaved, and clearly comes from a home where education is valued despite their financial struggles. Mrs. Callahan has never missed a teacher conference, never failed to send Sarah to school clean and as well-dressed as their circumstances allow. She's involved in her children's education and well-being."
"Again, those are not the actions of an unfit mother." One by one, others stepped forward with similar testimonies. People who'd witnessed Kelly's strength, her dedication to her children, her refusal to surrender to circumstances that would have crushed most people. Even people who'd been part of yesterday's hostile crowd now looked ashamed, seeing the situation through clearer eyes.
Finally, Reverend Clayton spoke. "Deputy Morrison, I've been a minister for 35 years. I've seen every kind of family situation you can imagine. Good parents and bad, loving homes and neglectful ones."
"I officiated at Mrs. Callahan's first wedding, presided at her first husband's funeral, and performed her marriage ceremony to Mr. Callahan yesterday. I've watched this family through joy and sorrow, prosperity and poverty." Clayton's voice carried across the yard. "And I'm telling you now, under oath if necessary, that these children are blessed to have Kelly Callahan as their mother."
"Any investigation that suggests otherwise is not seeking truth. It's seeking revenge." Judge Henderson turned to Morrison with raised eyebrows. "Deputy, do you have any actual evidence of neglect or abuse? Anything beyond gossip and speculation?"
Morrison's jaw worked furiously. "The speed of the courtship suggests—" "Suggests nothing except that two adults made a decision about their own lives," Henderson interrupted. "Love doesn't follow a schedule, Deputy. Sometimes it takes years to develop."
"Sometimes it happens in a moment. The law doesn't prescribe a minimum courtship period. Is there anything else?" "The children could have better opportunities if they were placed with more prosperous families."
"The children have two parents who love them and can provide for them," Henderson said sharply. "Mr. Callahan is one of the wealthiest men in the territory. These children will want for nothing materially, and more importantly, they'll have their mother, who loves them and has proven her dedication to them time and again." The judge's expression hardened.
"Unless you have evidence of actual harm or danger, this investigation is concluded." Morrison looked to Frank Miller, still waiting at the property line, but found no support there. Miller had the sense to see he'd lost this battle. Finally, Morrison pulled himself up and tried to salvage some dignity.
"I'll be filing a full report with Sheriff Watson. If anything changes, if any evidence of impropriety or neglect comes to light—" "Then you'll be welcome to return with proper cause," Judge Henderson said. "Until then, you're done here. Good day, Deputy."