MONDAY, OCTOBER 15
Chandler fought the desire to pull Jaime into his arms. There was something in her eyes as she watched him that telegraphed he needed to leave, fast, or he’d get swept up into a dream that his failed marriage had told him was as much a fairy tale as the idea that Belle could kiss a beast and unleash a prince. Those story lines were best left in fairy tales and not where they collided with reality.
But when Jaime looked at him like that, with the mixture of hope tugging him toward her and fear reminding him to take his time, it was hard not to tug her close and see how well she fit inside his arms.
Besides, Aslan must need to step out. He edged back, latching onto the excuse. “Thanks for the movie. I need to be a responsible dog owner.” The animal’s ears flicked, but the traitor didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned down and nosed Simba.
A flicker of something like disappointment flashed across Jaime’s face. “Are you taking him out?”
“Probably. Last walk before bed.”
Simba stood and sauntered away as if he’d been disturbed by their voices. The only way a cat was better than a dog was he didn’t need walks. But one look at Aslan’s intelligent mug and warm eyes was all it took to know that dogs were far superior.
“Can I join you? Walk off the dessert?”
He should probably say no. It seemed too much like extending the date if she came with him. At the same time, it interested him that she wanted to do exactly that. Where were they headed, and was she willing to go there?
Wherever it was, he couldn’t say no to the light in her eyes. It would be worth whatever tangling of hearts happened to know that he was the reason it was there.
“Let me grab a jacket.” A moment later Jaime popped back out of her bedroom, and his heart expanded when she reached down and rubbed Aslan’s ears. “Ready for some exercise, boy?”
The crazy cat jumped on the back of the futon and settled on the blanket spread across its back, as if to say they could have their walk while he stayed right there. Chandler knew he was getting the better experience.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16
Jaime’s dreams had been filled with images of lions, wickedly white witches, and four siblings colliding with a beautiful girl and her beast. It was as if her subconscious couldn’t release the questions that filled her after reading Chandler’s book or seeing the movie. Maybe she should invite him over for dinner to talk about the book since she’d chickened out last night. After the quick walk around the complex, she’d wanted to settle into the peace of the moment rather than disturb it with her questions.
Could she trust him with her thoughts?
He’d cared enough to give her a book he valued. Then he’d watched the movie with her, even though it was more a family movie than a grand adventure. He was giving her space.
She tapped a quick question into a text. Come for dinner tonight?
He’d been sticking close, almost as if to keep her safe. She wanted to deny she needed it, but last night’s scare in Shirlington made her grateful he’d decided to be her self-appointed knight in shining armor.
She tapped her phone against her chin as she waited for a reply. Maybe it had been a bad idea, too spontaneous. She knew better than to risk her heart becoming invested.
Sure. What time?
Her fingers trembled as she typed a simple word. Six?
See you then After a moment: Aslan or no Aslan?
She glanced around her small apartment and noted Simba perched on the couch back. The cat had places to hide if he wanted, and he’d enjoyed the company last night. He would be fine, and so would she.
Bring him
She’d barely noted his smiley face emoji when a text came through from Savannah.
Need to see you ASAP. I have an opening at nine.
See you then
Time to fly if she wanted to arrive in Old Town on time. Maybe her mentor had good news for her. She definitely needed some. After the appointment, she could grab groceries for this impromptu dinner on her way back.
With a minute to spare, Jaime knocked on Savannah’s door. The woman rarely closed it all the way, instead keeping an open-door policy for staff and friends. Still Jaime felt the uncertainty of why she’d been called holding her back from entering like she belonged.
“Come in, Jaime.” Savannah smiled at her, her dark hair slicked behind her ears and a brightly colored scarf knotted at the throat of her dark sheath dress. “You made good time.”
“Nothing much demanding my attention today.”
“Let’s see if we can’t change that.”
“Does that mean you heard back from the bar?”
“I did. Their investigation showed everything we expected. They aren’t even calling a hearing. Instead, I expect the letter clearing you to be in my in-box today.” She shifted and clicked a few buttons on her mouse. “I’ll forward it to your boss at the PD’s office and get you back to work tomorrow.”
“That’s great news. Thank you!” Jaime fought to keep her voice steady. She should be elated because her name was cleared, but would Grant call her back to work? “Do you think he’ll let me?”
Savannah frowned, highlighting a web of wrinkles along the bridge of her nose. “This letter should take care of it.” She clicked another button and then leaned closer to the monitor. After a moment she tilted and twisted it so that Jaime could read the letter. “See? It’s a full clearing and closure of the case.”
Jaime shook her head and then sank onto the edge of a chair. “It’s more than that. Don’t forget that last week when I was there, someone was pressuring Grant to fire me.”
“Have you talked to Grant?” Savannah’s question was sharp.
“No, I didn’t know how to broach it. I wasn’t supposed to be at the office, let alone lurking outside his door. Someone wants to squeeze me out.” Jaime hadn’t wanted to say the words, but she knew they were true. She just couldn’t prove it definitively.
“I’ll strongly encourage Grant to have you report to work tomorrow. This was just a hiccup in your career.”
“What? No push to have me join you?” There were days the idea appealed to Jaime, but she didn’t want to be her own boss. She might be high on justice, but she had a little too much mercy in her to chase down a client for payment.
Savannah leaned back in her chair, steepled her fingers, and studied Jaime. “You know you have a safe place to land when you’re ready. If you never are, that’s fine too. I trust God will lead you in the right direction.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Say what?”
“That you trust God with my career?”
Savannah’s lips twitched as if she fought to remain stoic. “Because I do. I trust Him with everyone I care about.”
The words wrapped around Jaime. Was God pursuing her through friends who brought Him into routine conversations? “It isn’t that simple.”
“It never is, yet it is.” Savannah shrugged and then stood. “I’m always here if you have questions about God.” Then she grinned. “Until you do, let’s see what Grant does. Then we’ll take the next step. Until then anything we say is just conjecture. The other reason I called you in is I have a message from Madeline. She has questions about Tiffany’s testimony at the grand jury hearing. I’d like you to stay point for her, regardless of when you restart at the public defender’s office. Y’all have a rapport and she trusts you. I’ll clear it with Grant if needed.”
“I would like to continue helping them.” Tiffany needed her, and maybe Madeline did too. Jaime stood and waited for Savannah to sweep in for one of her warmth-transferring hugs. “Thanks for all your help.” The words were muffled by Savannah’s shoulder.
“It’s what I do.” Savannah stepped back. “Now go enjoy your last free day.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jaime felt the warmth of freedom as she walked out of the office, and hesitated before turning toward Hayden’s office. The door was cracked, and she heard Hayden’s calm voice. Jaime waited until the conversation stopped and then knocked.
“Come in.”
She pushed the door open and walked inside. Hayden met her gaze with a quirked eyebrow. “Savannah just gave me the letter clearing me from the ethics investigation.”
“That’s good, though I’m not surprised.”
Jaime motioned to the chair. “Can I sit?”
“Sure.”
Jaime did, and then took a breath. “Would you be willing to call Senator Wesley’s office on my behalf? I need to know that I tried my best to hold Dane accountable. With my options as narrow as they are, I’d like to meet with the senator if he’ll make time.” Jaime looked around, noting the peaceful pastoral painting that was opposite the typical lawyerly bar admittance hangings. Oh, to be in a setting like that rather than embroiled in all the conflict that was her life right now.
Hayden crossed her arms and leaned back. “Um. I already did. The impression I got was he was going to have someone from his staff contact you.”
“When did you talk to him?”
“Saturday night. Andrew and I had dinner with his parents, so it provided a great forum. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone followed up today. With the hearings in motion, it’ll be a priority or it won’t happen at all.”
Jaime’s phone vibrated, and she glanced at the screen. “Senator Wesley’s office?”
“As I was saying.” Hayden stood and headed to the hallway. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
“Thanks.” Jaime’s fingers trembled as she swiped the screen. “Hello?”