Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
She needed him to let her be part of his family. It was the “better or worse” part of the vows he eventually intended to share with her.
“I’m going to get everything ready,” Lila said. “The helicopter should land in about ten minutes. Armie, help me make sure the pad is clear, and we’ll need to get her in the elevator in a couple of minutes. Jayna, if you’re serious, there’s some paperwork you could look over. I would hate to send it with Quaid. He’s got other things to worry about.”
“I’m my mother’s attorney of record, but Jayna and I work together so she can sign whatever she needs to.” Quaid glanced down at his mother. It was time to see how much she was willing to change. “If that’s what you want, Mother.”
His mother started to open her mouth but then closed it again. “Whatever Quaid decides is all right.”
“I’ll take a look at it. I’d like to see the police report when it’s ready, too.” Jayna was calm and that allowed him to not be, to not shove down what he was feeling the way he normally would.
He hadn’t had that since his father was alive. He’d been all alone in taking care of this family, this town, his whole world, and having someone he could trust completely lifted a weight off his shoulders he couldn’t imagine not bearing. He released his mother’s hand to go to Jayna and hug her close. “Thank you.”
She went up on her toes and kissed him briefly. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll handle it all. I’ll let the court know we might need a continuance with the nudity case. Though it goes heartily against my best interest, I’ll agree to it.”
“Your fans will be mightily disappointed,” he murmured.
“So will yours. Don’t think I don’t see those women watching you. Court Cuties. More like Law Groupies.” She pulled away and followed Lila and Armie out to the lobby.
Even in the midst of a crisis, she could make him smile.
“Law groupies?” His mother frowned. “Are there a bunch of women who come watch you try cases and attempt to get you to sin with them?”
He barely managed to not roll his eyes. “They come because Jayna and I are presenting an entertaining case. That’s all.”
“I’ve heard Noreen Driver from the Fillin’ Station has a bet with Rena Tubbs that she can get you in bed.” Paul just had to put in his two cents.
“Jayna better shut that down, and fast,” his mother declared. “The law is a venerable institution. It shouldn’t be used to ogle men.”
Quaid turned back to his brother because the last thing he needed was a lecture from his mother on the immorality of folks these days. “Are you all right? I know you are physically, but that had to be a frightening experience.”
Paul’s jaw went tight as he nodded. “I’m fine. It was five stitches. Don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, Quaid, it was terrible,” his mother said with a cry. “I thought that man was going to kill your brother right there in the parking lot. I threw him my purse, but he stabbed Paul anyway. I thought I was going to watch my baby die.”
He held his mother’s hand again, his mind working. That was twice Paul had been the victim of a crime in a town that had very little of it. It was curious, but that monitor started beeping again and he couldn’t think about anything but keeping his mother calm. “It’s all right now. He’s fine.”
“I’m fine, Momma,” Paul agreed. “There’s no need to worry at all. Quaid’s going with you and Jayna will take care of me.”
“Do you think we can trust her?” His mother’s question was accompanied by the monitor going right back to a steady beat. “Maybe we should get a private investigator to send us a report.”
She was calmer when she was thinking about how to get rid of his girlfriend. Apparently it was his mother’s happy place. But suddenly that didn’t seem so daunting. Jayna could handle his mother. “I would trust her with my life, and you should understand I won’t accept you talking bad about her. I love Jayna. I’m going to do everything I can to keep her in my life, so you should start working your way through all the stages of grief you need to in order to be good to her.”
His mother frowned, her eyes going to the door. “I suppose she is well educated. And according to the rumors, she did manage it all on her own. I was told there was no money saved for her college. There’s something to be said for a girl pulling herself up by her bootstraps. She must be smart.”
“Oh, she’s really smart,” Paul interjected. “And she mostly sees right through my bullshit, so she’s not easily swayed by good looks and charm. It’s good that she doesn’t need a handsome, sparkly man since she’s apparently ended up with Quaid.”