N. Walters - A Legal Affair

Burt’s head wagged up and down. “So you’re a cop.”

Gill almost laughed as Burt went about establishing his credibility and his reputation with the townspeople. “Twenty years.”

“Well then. There’s nothing to be concerned about, is there? You wouldn’t do anything untoward, would you? A working relationship, you say?”

Someone snorted and a female voice filled the room. “If staying all night, every night, is working. Alicia Flint is having an affair.”

The bell tinkled over the door as the woman was speaking. Gill felt his stomach drop as Alicia froze in the doorway, her face pale as snow, the accusation still ringing in the air. This was just what she’d feared.

Even though he wanted to jump up and go to her, he made himself remain seated.

This was her chance to deny all the rumors, to deny their relationship if she wanted. He realized that she was right. Her reputation was at stake. Everyone in the diner was watching. Some of the folks looked amused, while others sat with pinched features and condemnation in their eyes.

“Clara Jenkins!” Burt roared.

Alicia straightened her spine and strode right up to Clara’s table. “That’s all right, Burt. I can handle this.”

She leaned down, planting her hands on the table. They were bare. Once again, she’d forgotten her gloves. Gill hoped her hands weren’t cold. He was like everyone else in the place, unable to look away from the scene unfolding in front of him.

“What exactly do you want to know, Clara?” She didn’t give the younger woman time to speak, but kept on going. “That I’m actually having an affair? That I’m sleeping with a man?” She straightened and took in the room in one sweeping glance. “Is that what all of you want to know?”

No one moved.

Alicia snorted. “I’m thirty-seven-years old, I operate my own law practice, own a house, pay my taxes on time and abide by the law. What I do in my own home is my business.”

“Not when you’re in such a prominent position,” Clara brazened out. “Why, if you’ll sneak around having an affair who knows what other sneaky things you might do?”

Gill couldn’t believe that some people were actually nodding. But they were mostly older folks, who had grown up with a much stricter set of values when it came to relationships outside of marriage.

“Is that so?” Alicia questioned, her tone mild, almost amused.

Gill almost pitied Clara as Alicia glared down at her. His woman was spitting fire.

She was hell on wheels when she got started. He’d never felt prouder of her.

Alicia spread her arms wide. “I thought I was being discreet, not sneaking around.

I’m having a relationship with a man.” She turned on her heel and stalked toward his table.

He stood as she approached, aching with the need to hold her in his arms.

“This man.” She turned back to the crowd, not even stopping for a breath. She held them all spellbound, her voice projecting easily without her having to raise it. “He’s healthy, single and a damn good man. I’m proud to be in a relationship with him.”

Gill couldn’t resist any longer, he moved to stand behind her, glaring at the crowd over her head. Most of them had the good grace to glance sheepishly away. All except Clara, who just glowered at them.

“Any more questions?” Alicia raised an eyebrow and fanned her gaze over the people.

One gray-haired man stood up and shook his head. “I don’t hold with affairs outside marriage. I just lost one lawyer because of underhanded dealings. I need to feel as if I can trust my lawyer.”

Alicia shook her head. “We’re two single people in a relationship, Don. That has nothing to do with trust or honesty. But if you feel that way I’ll have Millie transfer your records to the lawyer of your choice. Just contact my office and let me know where to send them. And that goes for anyone else. If you’ve suddenly decided I’m not honest and trustworthy, then I don’t want your business. Contact my office and we’ll forward your records wherever you want them to go.”

Burt ambled forward and extended his hand to her. “I won’t be taking my business anywhere else. You’ve always done a good job for me. Besides, Gill seems to be a fine young man. He’s a friend of the sheriff, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is.” Shannon stepped forward. “Gill saved my life. You all know what I went through with my ex-husband. That’s no secret in this town. Gill Baron saved my life back in Alabama and was responsible for putting my ex in jail. I won’t hear anything bad about him.”

Gill was stunned and touched by Shannon’s courage. It wasn’t easy for her to talk about her past and certainly in such a public setting. “Shannon,” he began, but she ignored him as she turned to Alicia.

“Can I get you some coffee, Alicia? Maybe some breakfast?”

“That’s a great idea, Shannon.” He knew enough about human nature to know that if he and Alicia left the diner, most people would see it as an admission of guilt and remain suspicious and skeptical. However, that opinion could possibly change if the two of them sat here and ate as though they didn’t have a care in the world, as if they had nothing to hide. And while he wanted to take Alicia off somewhere they could be alone, he knew they had to stay. “Sugar?” he whispered in her ear. It was ultimately her choice.

He felt some of the tension drain from her body. “Breakfast would be nice.” She kept her voice steady, but he could hear the underlying strain.

Ignoring the rest of the folks, many of whom were already lined up at the counter to pay their bills so they could leave and spread the gossip, Gill slid Alicia’s coat from her and then seated her across from him.

Burt stopped long enough to squeeze Alicia’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. You might lose a few fools, but you might gain just as many new clients.”

Alicia gave a sharp laugh. “You may be right about that, Burt.”

Shannon poured more coffee and took their orders. Gill smiled at her. “Thanks for your support earlier.”

She shrugged. “It’s the least I could do after everything you’ve done for me.” She turned to Alicia. “This will all blow over in a few weeks. You know how these things go.”

Alicia smiled and waited until Shannon left before meeting his gaze. She looked tired, her face strained. “My meeting was cancelled so I got here faster than I thought I would.”

“What happened this morning? Why did you want to talk to me?” He figured it had to be better than the scene that had just played itself out.

She picked up her coffee and sipped, carefully placing the mug back in front of her.

“I had a call from my mother this morning.”

Oh shit. Gill felt like banging his head against the table. Just when he’d thought it couldn’t get worse.

Alicia’s head still felt like it was whirling an hour later when she let herself and Gill into her home. She’d already contacted Millie and told her to reschedule all her appointments for the rest of the day. She’d also had to explain that possibly quite a few of their clients might be requesting their files be transferred to one of the two other law firms in town.

Millie had been indignant on her behalf. Alicia could still hear her secretary’s “why those sanctimonious idiots” ringing in her ears. The support had felt good though. It was nice to see that not everyone thought she was a scarlet woman.

It was amusing, really. She’d never thought of herself as a femme fatale before. It sounded so mysterious, so exotic. Not at all like the boring, bland woman she’d allowed herself to become these past ten years. She rubbed her forehead as the tension behind her eyes increased.

Gill closed the door, shutting the world outside, and reached for her coat. “Why don’t you take something for your headache? I’ll make you some tea.”

“That would be nice.” She hauled off her boots and padded to the bedroom. She wanted to change out of her business attire and into something more comfortable.

“I can take the day off if I want to,” she muttered as she stripped off her clothing and hung it in the closet. “I’m the boss, after all.” She paused and stared at the clothing hanging there. Suit after suit seemed to mock her. Granted, many of them were in vibrant colors and they were all tailored well, but they were still suits.

“But you are a suit,” she mocked as she grabbed an old pair of faded jeans and tugged them on. “You’re a lawyer.” She wrapped her arms around herself, fighting back a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. She was a lawyer and she loved it. If she couldn’t work at her chosen profession any longer, it would be a devastating blow.

“Don’t borrow trouble.” She grabbed a cherry-red sweater and pulled it over her head. The bright color made her feel better and the soft wool helped to fight back the chill. She grabbed a pair of thick socks from the drawer and tugged them on, wiggling her toes as the warmth started to seep back into them.

She could hear Gill puttering around in the kitchen as she padded back down the hall. She stopped long enough to turn up the heat before joining him. The time had come to lay all her cards on the table. She’d never been a coward, and she didn’t plan to start being one now.

Straightening her shoulders, she strode into the kitchen, coming to a halt just inside the door. Gill stood with both hands pressed against the counter, staring out the window.

Her heart sped up. No matter how many times she saw him, she was always struck by what an incredibly masculine picture he made.

His jeans hugged his legs and butt like a second skin. His shoulders were wide, stretching the seams of the long-sleeved, chocolate brown pullover he was wearing. The color contrasted nicely with his blond hair, which barely brushed the collar of his shirt.

His face was in profile, highlighting the rugged features—the hard jaw, the slightly battered nose and his high forehead. He wasn’t handsome in the traditional sense, but the man had charisma. He drew her like a moth to a flame. Unable to stay away any longer, she stepped into the room.

He hadn’t given her any indication he’d known she was watching him, but his shoulder muscles stiffened slightly before he turned to face her. He’d known she was there all along. Of course, he did, she reminded herself. The man was a cop. She’d noticed that he always seemed to be aware of his surroundings. She imagined that was as automatic to him as breathing after so many years.

“Sit down. The kettle is almost boiled.”

Alicia tried to read what he was thinking, but it was next to impossible. He’d appeared very relaxed back at the diner, but she’d sensed his underlying anger with the situation. He’d gone quiet when she’d related the tense conversation she’d had on the phone with her mother. She wondered if this was the beginning of the end. Would he decide that now was the time for him to pack his bags and leave town?

She tensed at the thought. Her head throbbed, reminding her that she’d forgotten to take anything for her headache. It was just as well. Pain medication made her sleepy and right now she needed all her senses about her. She’d have her tea and they’d talk. After that, she’d worry about her pounding head.

Why would he stay? He had no ties here. All his friends, the life he’d known for the past twenty years was back in Alabama. His sister, his only real family, was in California.

He’d told her one night that his parents had died in a car crash more than fifteen years ago and he wasn’t close to the smattering of cousins, aunts and uncles that remained.

She’d started this affair, knowing it would end sooner rather than later. His job for her was basically done. There was no reason for him to have to endure any more scenes like he had this morning at Jessie’s. It was a reminder of just what life could be like sometimes in a small town, and it wasn’t always pretty. After having his personal life dragged out in front of everyone, Alicia wouldn’t be surprised if it hadn’t turned him against small-town living and sent him fleeing back to the city. At this point, she wouldn’t blame him.

Gill poured water into a mug on the counter and placed the kettle back on the stove.

He plucked a napkin from the holder on the counter and picked up the mug, placing both on the table in front of her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Alicia decided it was up to her to begin. “I know I started this…” she waved her hand toward him and then back at herself, “…thing between us.”