“Speaking of extra volunteers, I’m working with?—”
“No.” Carol scowled as she leaned back in her chair.
“Oh, come on, Carol, Scott isn’t bad. Plus, he does need a place to stay.” And I need him to help me plan my Europe trip.
“He yelled at the boys.”
I flinched. Hopefully, there was a good excuse, because that was one of the fastest ways to burn bridges with Carol. She took in any child that needed a snack and a place to be.
“Look. I know lawyers aren’t your thing.”
Carol shrugged in acceptance.
“But I think Scott is here to stay. He is helping at the firm and trying to learn to get along with the people here. Your support would go a long way . . .”
She pinched her lips.
“And he is sleeping in the office a lot of nights, on that crappy couch.” Then I gestured to her swollen ankle. “He could help at the B&B too, if you let him stay.”
“I’m not some invalid that needs to be taken care of,” she growled.
I raised my eyebrows in question. “Oh, then you don’t need my help with the trunk-or-treat.”
Carol huffed. “Alright, fine. Here is the deal. If you promise to run the trunk-or-treat, not just help . . . I will let him stay here. But if he yells at those boys one time or tries to talk me into selling my place, he is gone.”
I nodded. “Deal.” Yes! I refrained from fist-pumping. First step trunk-or-treat, next step London.
Carol grinned. “You are just like your mother, you know.”
I stilled, unsure if I wanted the conversation to continue or stop. Carol’s smile turned sad. “Your mother could always talk her way into getting anything she wanted.” Carol chuckled. “I miss her.” She looked at the picture wall behind me. I stared at my red shoes, forcing my eyes to stay clear. I missed her. Her smile. Her laugh . . . Carol searched my face. She had a resolved look in her eyes, the kind that meant she was going to ask questions. The ones everyone wants answers to.
‘How are you holding up? Do you want to talk about it? Did you ever talk to anyone about it?
I wanted everyone to leave things be.
Time to go.
"Okay, I better go.” I grabbed my jacket and pushed my arms through the sleeves. “Text me when you want to meet up next.” I stood and took my plate to the sink, rinsing off the syrup, and headed past Carol. Her knowing eyes watched every step I took.I wasn’t running. I just needed to get to work.
“We’re meeting tonight at six. You can tell your lawyer friend to come back then.”
I nodded and hurried out the door.
I had thirty minutes but didn’t want to go back home and sit in my room. Sitting around, surrounded by thoughts and memories, sounded like a very unproductive morning. I decided I wouldhead to the office and tell Scott the good news. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Scott’s face. Maybe he would pull me into a quick hug again, like on Friday. Not that I wanted him to, but he smelled delicious. Besides, I was leaving soon. That made hugs safer, right?
My increased heart rate was only excitement because Carol agreed to let him stay. It had nothing to do with seeing him. I straightened my shirt and took a deep breath. Why was I feeling nervous? It was just Scott, and nothing was different.We were helping each other get what we wanted.
Friends.
Teamwork.
I opened the front door to Hillsdale Law.
No beating around the bush about it. If we were going to be partners and friends, I needed to get comfortable being with him. Friends were excited to give each other good news. It was fine. I rushed to his office and pulled the door open.
My foot became rooted to the spot, and the air whooshed out of my lungs.
Wow.
