“What? Why?”
“He knows that your dad needs a good defence attorney if he stands any chance of getting a lenient sentence or even acquitted so when he figured that your Mr Maybury is my brother he made contact to see if you were in a position to assist or at least visit him.” Bobby sighed. He knew one way or another this would mess with Tasha’s head and cause something of a shit storm, especially as there was no way Jim would agree to her visiting the man responsible for almost killing her, never mind bank rolling his defence.
“He wants me to pay for a good attorney? No, correction, he wants Jim to pay for one.”
Bobby nodded.
“And this public defender thinks that if I meet with him he can persuade me?” Tasha felt conflicted and confused.
“No, you misunderstand. He wants you to visit with your dad,” clarified Bobby to a stunned Tasha.
“Shit!”
“Yup. I will come with you to visit him if you want me to but only if you speak to Jim first and he agrees,” said Bobby firmly.
“Have you told him?” Before Bobby had a chance to respond she answered her own question, “As he isn't currently screaming and shouting with a scowl on his face, you obviously haven't. Will you stay while I tell him, please?” There was a note of pleading in her voice.
“Sure thing.” He smiled before opening the dining room door to usher Tasha out whilst pulling his phone from his pocket.
By the time they reached Jim's office Bobby had cleared his schedule for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We thought you two had got lost.” Jim looked across at them suspiciously.
“I’ve cleared everything from Saturday until Thursday.” Bobby ignored his brother's comment.
“Then we need to book some flights and plan a wedding.” Jim smacked his hands together loudly. “Baby, get your ass over here and choose a flight,” he called to Tasha who happily settled into Jim's lap in front of his computer where he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“So when are we going to Vegas?” squealed an excited Abby, making Tasha laugh.
“Abby, you do remember that this is a secret you're in on, don't you?” Jim frowned and shot Bobby akeep your wife in checklook.
“Honey, you need to calm down,” said Bobby gently as he took the chair next to his wife. “So, Tasha, when are we going?” he asked, deflecting attention from Abby.
“Sunday morning and then we could get married on Monday and stay for a couple of days if you fancy?” Tasha grinned at the others around her.
“That is a plan, Natasha.” Jim selected their tickets and booked their flights, having never felt happier than he did at that second. “Now we need to find a hotel and decide where we're getting married.”
Loading possible venues and accommodation via a search engine Tasha frowned at all of the packages popping up on the screen.
“What?” asked Jim studying her expression.
“This all seems superfluous,” she pouted. “Why would you want a limo to drive along the strip of whatever it's called, or chocolate dipped strawberries in your room? Look, there! They have a staircase forthat special romantic photo opportunity,” she read from the screen disparagingly.
“You don't want a special romantic photo opportunity?” Bobby scratched his head in confusion.
“But it's like something from Gone with the Wind,” gushed Abby, making Tasha frown more.
“If I wanted a staircase, I would be getting married at home in some manor house or stately home, not in the most garish, tacky place on Earth,” cried Tasha as the others stared at her, all of them confused now.
“Way to sell it, baby,” said Jim with a wry smile.
Turning in his lap to face him, Tasha hoped he wasn't reconsidering running off to get married because she’d now spoiled it.
“It is what it is, Vegas, and I love the idea of us getting married there. It's fitting for us, this whole whirlwind thing we've been caught up in. Plus, we each have responsibilities meaning I like the idea of doing this for us with Kayla organising the reception for everyone else. I wasn't saying that our wedding or our marriage will be garish or tacky, just Vegas, so all we need is a hotel to stay in and a guy dressed as Elvis to marry us.” Tasha wedged her knees each side of Jim's thighs, reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and pressed down into his groin forgetting that Abby and Bobby were still there. “Oh,” she bit down into her lip. “Make sure the hotel room has a very big and comfy bed because I have no intention of leaving it unless I really have to.”
“Honey, I may even tie you to the damned bed,” he replied knowing she was desperate for that.
“Then make sure it is big, comfy and suitable to be tied down on.”
