The compliment was simple, yet it left a warm glow in my heart. His words were like a sudden splash of color on a drab canvas, brightening the mundanity of my day. “You're too kind, mister...”
“Andrew,” he said, extending a hand. “Andrew Hastings.” His grip was firm yet reassuring as I shook it lightly.
“Nice to meet you, Andrew,” I said, pulling away and returning to the task of clearing the counter.
“The pleasure’s all mine.”
I could feel his eyes following me as I collected the dishes. There was something about him, about the way he looked at me, that made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t in a long time. His gaze wasn’t invasive or overbearing, but kind and appreciative—of my efforts, of me. It was equally refreshing and unsettling.
“What brings you to Kitty Hawk, Andrew?” I asked, returning with a fresh pot of coffee to offer him a refill. “Business or pleasure?”
“Business, actually,” he said, accepting the refill with a nod.
“What kind of business?”
“I’m a lawyer. In fact, I’m the defense attorney for your friend, Rosalie Flores.”
My heart gave a little lurch. “Really?” I gave him a closer look, noting his casual clothing and easygoing demeanor. There was nothing about him that screamed “defense attorney.” “You don’t look like an attorney.”
He laughed lightly at that. “Thanks, I think. I find it much easier to do my job when people don’t realize I’m doing it.”
I raised an eyebrow at his candidness. “You certainly had me fooled. Let’s just hope you’re as good at your job as you are concealing it, because my friend is innocent, and she needs a lawyer that can prove it.”
He gave a wry smile. “Trust me, Sara, I’m very good at what I do.” There was a confidence in his voice that was assuring, though I wasn’t quite ready to trust him with Rosie’s fate. “There it is,” I said, leaning against the counter. “That lawyer ego I’m familiar with.”
He laughed again. “Guilty as charged. You seem to know us quite well. Let me guess, you’re related to someone in the business?”
I shook my head. “No, but I once had aspirations of becoming a lawyer myself.”
His brows shot up in surprise. “Really? What changed your mind?”
I shrugged. “When I was younger, I had this fear of speaking in public. The thought of standing in front of a courtroom, all eyes on me, made my stomach churn. But over the years, I’ve outgrown that fear, found my voice. I only wish I’d found it sooner.”
He gave me an understanding smile. “It’s never too late, you know.”
I smiled wistfully. “I’m sure you’re right, but I’m happy here, for now. More coffee?”
“Sure.” He slid his cup across the counter. As I filled it, he steered the conversation in a different direction. “Would it surprise you to know that most of the people I’ve talked to around here seem to think Rosalie did it?”
I frowned, my hands gripping the coffee pot a little tighter. “No, but that’s because they don't know Rosie the way we do. Me and Judy, that is.” I gestured in her direction. “Judy owns this place, and Rosie and I work for her. I’ve heard the rumors, that Rosie was upset because she found out Peter was cheating on her, but she wouldn’t throw away her life over some man’s foolishness. She has too much to lose, like her dream of becoming a nurse.”
“I’ve seen people throw away their lives for less,” Andrew replied with a casual shrug. “But I believe you, Sara. I don’t know Rosie like you do, of course, but I don’t believe she murdered anyone.”
“You don’t?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t have taken the case if I thought she did it. Besides, I’ve spoken to Rosalie. I’ve seen the evidence. And something doesn’t quite add up.”
Not that it changed anything, but it was comforting to know that someone else was on our side.
“Does that mean you can help her?”
“I'm going to try my best,” he said, his gaze earnest and steady. “That's a promise.”
Hope flickered in my chest. For the first time since Rosie’s arrest, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. After tending to some of my regulars, I returned to the counter and asked Andrew where he was from and how he had learned of the case.
“Atlanta,” he answered with a slight drawl. “I received a call from Paula Fox, one of my dearest friends. She expressed somedoubts about the public defender’s ability to try this case. Paula knows I have a knack for these types of situations, so she reached out to me.”
I knew Paula well. She and her husband frequented the restaurant and always sat at the same table. She’d mentioned having a famous lawyer friend once, but I never imagined I’d meet him, or that he’d be here to help Rosie.”
