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JJ
Jeremiah rested his elbows on the edge of his mahogany wood desk. As the only lawyer in Bride, Texas, JJ’s roster was full of clients who needed all kinds of work done. The most common involved something to do with farming equipment or not getting paid for something. They didn’t have a lot of money immediately in town but outside, on the ranches, money was thick and made of generations.
His family had been right in the middle when he’d been growing up. They had some money, but weren’t on a ranch. The Jacksons had lived in town in one of the more stately homes off the main street.
It wasn’t a secret lawyers made money, but that was only if their clients paid in cash or check, or even credit card. Usually Jeremiah’s clients wanted to make some kind of trade which drastically cut into JJ’s bottom line.
Sitting in one of JJ’s favorite chairs, a man, Jinx Rossin, he’d been working with for a couple hours was trying to offer an uncash-payment. His client’s eyes were downturned at the sides as he spoke. “I don't have the money, JJ. But, I do have two healthy hogs and a sow. You're welcome to all three of them and I’ll even butcher them for you. We can put them in your freezer over the next four weeks. You won’t get a better deal. You can even turn their ears into purses.” Jinx man twisted his hat between his knees and stared hopefully at JJ. Desperation curled his lips tightly at the sides as he tried smiling confidently.
But JJ had already heard about the family’s situation from Aunt Suki and he wasn’t going to rake him over the financial coals. He was a lawyer, that didn’t mean he had to act like a snake. Jeremiah didn't want pigs anyway. He didn't have a thing for bacon. If he was being honest, truth be told, he didn't even eat meat. Didn't like it. Sometimes he ate seafood but for the most part he was one of those guys that just didn't eat meat. His aunt hated that about him.
Jillian Sinclair used to tease him about it all the time.
“I'll tell you what, Jinx. I'll take one year’s worth of pig. I'll give it to my Aunt Suki. She'll be able to work wonders with your pig. I don't want three. You can get a lot of money for those. However, I am also going to ask that you not do anything like this again. It isn't smart to put a four-wheel ATV on canoes to go across the Thomas’s pond. There's nothing good that can come from that. I think you need to reevaluate what your goals are and see if paying this again is worth it.” JJ held up his hand as Jinx went to argue. “I understand they weren’t your ATV or your canoes. That's why you're being sued. I'll get this resolved for you, but I can guarantee that you're going to pay for the damage. You still have to cover the fine from the sheriff.” Jeremiah was keeping him from going to jail. That’s the only way Jinx would stay out.
The younger man nodded tightly. He tugged on the long strands of his goatee and blinked repeatedly. “I understand, sir. I'll let my wife know.” He offered a smile and stood, clenching his hat in his hands.
After Jinx excused himself, JJ leaned back in his chair. The seat was one of those office chairs which leaned back just enough to simulate a rocking chair while maintaining a professional feel. He liked the comfortable leaning since a rigid chair just made him more uncomfortable.
Warmth from the midday sun streamed through his window. The small office building was underneath the apartments he had moved into. The last thing he wanted to do was own a bunch of land in a town that didn't offer much for him besides work.
Now that Jillian was gone, Jeremiah didn't even have any real friends. She was the last link he had to Tessa. And now even that was gone.
Would Tessa come? Had he sent the information to the correct PO Box? He'd gone through Jillian’s things as thoroughly as he could, but her contact with her daughter had been even more limited than his had been. He hadn't spoken to Tessa since she left him at the altar.
Jillian hadn't spoken to her daughter since before then. She hadn’t even been at the wedding. She couldn’t even follow Tessa to Austin to find her. The only thing Tessa had sent was an “in case of emergency” contact card with her PO box information on it a few years back.
Of course, she would choose a bigger city where he'd never be able to find her - or his son.
Actually, that wasn’t true. He could’ve found her – fairly easily, if he’d tried. But... when a woman left a man at the altar, she tore up more than just the rubber trying to get away. It had been all he could do to pull his pride together and head off for college, outside of Bride, away from home. He hoped when he came back, everyone would’ve forgotten the “wedding that didn’t happen”.
Unfortunately, when he’d returned, he’d been subtly accused of ruining the “Love Luck” Bride was known for. That wasn’t something anyone wanted to carry with them.
All this time, JJ believed he was doing what Tessa wanted, giving her what she needed. Tessa had never wanted to be stuck in the small town of Bride. She’d always talked about escaping to a big city and going to school with JJ while he sought a law degree and she searched out a culinary arts degree. Tessa used to talk all the time with JJ about getting out and going bigger.
He’d always laughed and kissed her. Tessa’s dreams had always included him.
Until they didn’t.
The cell phone buzzed on the corner of his desk, the sound jarring in the quiet of his office. JJ rubbed his eyes and reach for the phone. He swiped the screen and read the text from his aunt. “Tessa is back. She's at the bar.”
JJ’s shoulders slumped. He leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had hoped she would come back, wished for it, prayed hard for the chance to see her and his boy. But... now that she had come back and he had to go over as Jillian's lawyer, Jeremiah regretted every star he’d wished on.
Going over to see Tessa tore him in two. He wanted to see her, longed to see her... but he also wasn’t sure how he felt. Was he mad still for being abandoned at the altar? Standing there, waiting with a sappy grin on his face and so much hope burgeoning in his chest. Sure, of course. Inside though, the anger had dissipated, leaving behind the pain she’d caused.
He’d never been able to ask her why she’d left. Jillian hadn’t given him any clues. No one had any answers and he had a son out there somewhere with the woman he’d never stopped loving.
Sometimes, life just sucked.
Pushing all that aside, JJ wasn’t jumping with excitement to head over and tell Tessa about how her mother had died. There was nothing gruesome about it, but somehow, he couldn’t help feeling like she might blame him.
Jeremiah swiveled on his chair, side to side while studying the dark walnut framed law degree he’d worked so hard for. He only had a few appointments left for the day. He could fit a visit to the Refill Bar and Grill in a few hours. Or... Maybe he could visit with Tessa the following day.
The longer he put off seeing Tessa, the longer he had to wait to see his son for the first time.