Page 21 of Key West Homecoming

“Aunt Connie, I came to Key West to be with Mom, not to work, you know that.”

“I do.”

“Do you? I've said no to three people since I got here. All of them sent to me by you.”

“I know, I know. But this time. It's different. She's the granddaughter of a really sweet woman and I want to help her.”

“That’s the problem. You want to help everyone”

“Just come over here and sit at a table for an hour and listen to the woman.”

“An hour.” Maeve said. “No promises. I'll listen. If I think I can help her find a Florida attorney, I will. But I'm not her lawyer, and you tell her that before I get there."

“I’ll tell her.”

“Give me twenty minutes.”

“Thank you, Maeve.”

“You’re welcome.”

Emma had finished half her second cup of iced tea by the time Connie came back to the table.

Connie sat down across from her in the chair Tess had vacated.

“My niece is coming," Connie said. “Her name's Maeve. She'll be here in twenty minutes. I need to tell you a few things before she gets here.”

“All right.”

“First, she isn't licensed to practice law in Florida. She's a Massachusetts attorney, and Florida doesn't have reciprocity with any other state. So she can't file anything for you or represent you in a Florida court.”

“I understand.”

“Second, she's here on leave. She wasn't planning to work at all. She's doing this as a favor to me. That means whatever comes of the conversation the two of you have, she isn't your attorney. Third, what she can do is listen, tell you if she thinks you're seeing the situation clearly. And maybe even help you find a Florida attorney. She can't promise you anything. And she wanted me to make sure I told you all this before she got here. None of us wants you to come out of this conversation disappointed.”

“I hear you.”

“Good.”

Connie looked at the table for a second and then back at Emma.

“One more thing,” she said. “Maeve is family. I don't offer her to just anybody. I'm offering her to you because of your grandmother. I believe you must have loved her very much.”

Something went tight in Emma's throat. “I did. I do. I wish I'd visited her more. My father, her son, died when I was very little. I think my grandmother never got over the sadness of losing him.”

“I'm sorry about that. It must have been hard to grow up without a father.”

Emma didn't answer right away because she wasn't sure her voice would hold.

“It was hard for both of us. My father loved that cottage and so do I. I want to do what's best, what he would want.”

Connie nodded. “I'm sure you will. Maeve will help as best she can."

“Thank you,” Emma said.

“Don't thank me yet. Maeve isn't easy. She'll ask you questions you might not want to answer. That's the job. Just answer them.”

“I will.”