Balancing Act. Laura Browning

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ doors, her brother knew her well enough–his eyes had been on the stairwell. The boy slowed down as he reached Tessa and threw his arms around her. She bent her head and pecked him on the cheek. Both had the same amazing red hair, but where Tessa’s skin was a creamy light tan, the boy had hundreds of freckles.

      “Hey, Zach! Have you been good for Mr. Stanley?”

      “Yes.”

      Seth was taken aback again when Tessa smiled at her little brother. It lighted her expression with such beauty it was startling. Gone was the seriousness he was accustomed to. In its place her face softened and her eyes shone with warmth and love. She could make a man melt if she looked at one that way, he thought, an odd tightness in his chest.

      The attorney motioned to them from the other end of the hall.

      “Tessa,” Seth prompted. “I think your case is being called.”

      As she looked down the hall, the cool mask she so often wore slipped back into place. Even though she appeared calm, he felt the tension in her as he cupped her elbow so they could hurry toward the courtroom.

      One glance at the couple who must be Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Edwin showed Seth all he needed to know. He’d seen plenty of their kind over the years. They peppered the clubs and restaurants he’d frequented since he was a child. Kathleen and Edwin Price dripped designer clothes and expensive jewelry. If his suspicions were correct, they regarded Zach as a way to finance their lifestyle.

      His gaze shifted to Tessa. Her long hair was slicked back into a French twist. The dark navy suit she wore was stylish but conservative. He knew from looking at her when she’d stood before his desk that morning, the only jewelry she wore were pearl studs and a thin gold chain.

      Seth listened, along with the judge, to both sides. So far the attorneys had done all the talking. At last the judge turned to Tessa.

      “This petition was brought while you were employed as a counselor and social worker for a juvenile services facility. I understand from documents filed by your attorney you have new employment. Would you please describe your job for the court?”

      Tessa nodded and stood up. “I am executive assistant to Mr. Seth Barlow-Barrett, COO of Barrett Newspapers.”

      The judge looked up, spotted Seth and gave an imperceptible nod. Seth’s face was impassive. They had attended the same military school years before and met a few times since then at one social event or another.

      “How long have you held that position?”

      Tessa’s chin rose. “Two weeks, your honor.”

      “Not a very long employment history,” her aunt and uncle’s attorney interjected.

      Tessa turned and looked the man up and down. “It is if you work for Seth Barrett. His last three assistants left within the first week.”

      The judge coughed to cover his laughter and put a hand over his mouth. “Mr. Barrett,” he said at last, “is what Ms. Edwards says true?”

      Seth arched one thick blond brow at Tessa’s back and drawled, “Yes, your honor. What Ms. Edwards says is indeed true, both about her employment and the length of employment of my previous assistants. I might also add she has proven herself to be a very valuable employee. She shows remarkable responsibility and maturity for her age.”

      The judge nodded and turned his attention to Zach. He rose from his seat and said, “Why don’t you join me in chambers for a few minutes so we can talk man-to-man?”

      Zach stepped forward and followed the judge into his office off the courtroom. Tessa turned to look at Seth where he lounged in the row right behind her. While her facial features remained serene, her eyes were a little wider than normal. It was enough to betray her anxiety.

      “You’ll be fine,” Seth reassured her. “Trust me on this one.”

      In a couple minutes, Zach and the judge returned to the courtroom. The boy had a sucker stuck in his cheek and a smile that seemed to go from ear to ear.

      “I see no reason to separate this young man from his sister,” the judge said, staring at Tessa before turning his attention to her aunt and uncle. “She’s shown over the past year she’s putting the needs of her brother first and providing a nurturing home environment. Petition to grant custody to Kathleen and Edwin Price is denied.”

      Tessa laughed and hugged her brother to her. As she closed her eyes next to the boy’s thick red hair, Seth saw one small tear trickle from the corner of her left eye. He swallowed. He understood how close the bond between brother and sister could be. He had often filled the role of protector for Anna. The sad part, he thought, was it was very often against their parents.

      He caught Kathleen and Edwin Price glaring at Tessa and him. Seth arched a brow and stared at them. In a few seconds, they hurried from the courtroom.

      “Why don’t I take you both out to a late lunch to celebrate?”

      Zach nodded with enthusiasm, but Tessa shook her head. “You don’t need to do that, Mr. Barrett.”

      “One thing you need to realize about me, Tessa, is I do nothing I don’t want to do.” A startled blue gaze flicked his way. He had shaken her composure. He smiled.

       Chapter 3

      Tessa watched Seth in amazement as he engaged Zach in conversation. She was seeing a side to the man she’d never seen before. Seth seldom smiled, but Zach still responded to the way her boss treated him. He listened to the boy as if what Zach told him about the Avatar game was the most interesting thing he had heard all day. Tessa half expected Seth to take them to some stuffy, expensive restaurant, so when they pulled into a popular burger joint, she interrupted.

      “Mr. Barrett, you don’t have to eat here because Zach’s with us.”

      Seth turned his piercing gaze on her. “I’m not. I always please myself. I like burgers, and I would kill for a chocolate shake right about now.”

      “Let’s eat outside at the picnic tables,” Zach piped up from the back seat.

      “You’re the boss today,” Seth replied. As they got out of the car, he took off his suit coat and folded it across the back of his seat.

      It was hot out. Tessa unbuttoned her jacket. She hadn’t intended taking it off, but perspiration was already beading on her forehead, so she slid it off to reveal an ice blue sleeveless silk top that plunged in a deep V in front and back. She caught Seth staring at her full breasts where the silk pulled across them. Heat spread over her cheeks. It was the only time she felt he’d seen her as a woman, and it made her even warmer than she already was. He didn’t look at her like that again, and Tessa was able to relax. By the end of the meal, she and Zach were both laughing, and even her taciturn boss grinned.

      He took them home. Tessa seldom drove her car, taking the train because it was easier and more economical. She leased an apartment, part of an older converted house. It gave Zach a small yard for play. The home was in a working-class neighborhood where neighbors were still careful to maintain what they owned. It was a far cry from the area where they’d lived before her parents’ car crash, but it worked well for her to get to and from her job. She was sure it wasn’t anywhere near what Seth was accustomed to, but she could afford СКАЧАТЬ