What If We Fall in Love?. Teresa Southwick

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      “The worst thing you can do is be casual about this, Grady. It’s about your children.”

      In the moonlight she saw him frown and the lines of his face tighten. “I never take anything about my children for granted. And don’t look now, Counselor, but I haven’t confirmed your guess that it has anything to do with them.”

      “It’s more than a guess.”

      “How can it be?”

      “The fact that right after getting those papers you were holding on to the girls so tightly they could hardly breathe. Then you sent them home with an armed guard. It couldn’t have been more clear if you’d taken out a billboard on Interstate twenty.” The worry lines between his eyebrows deepened. “You went from teasing to terrified in four little words—You’ve just been served.”

      “Okay. You win.”

      “Yes, I do. More often than not. Every time I go into court I’m prepared. I’ve done my homework and try to make sure there are no surprises. I’m very good. So what gives, Grady?”

      “Someone is suing me for custody of the girls.”

      The grim look on his face told her he was serious. Even though she’d had a feeling it was something like this, his confirmation of her suspicions surprised her. Only a relative would have a prayer of obtaining custody. Grady didn’t have anyone else.

      “Who would do something like this? Lacey’s folks?” she asked.

      “Her parents are both dead. There isn’t anyone else. If that’s what you’re thinking.”

      “Actually I was thinking there’s a name on those papers you received, and sharing it would be a big help.”

      “Not important,” he said.

      “Okay. If you won’t tell me who, at least explain why.”

      “How should I know?”

      She straightened away from the porch support and jammed her fists on her hips. “For a smart man, you’re acting like a moron.”

      “Don’t sweet-talk me, Jensen. Tell me how you really feel.”

      “You’re an idiot.”

      “That was sort of a rhetorical comment,” he said wryly. “I didn’t realize you’d stoop to calling me names.”

      “If the shoulder holster fits…” She finished her statement with a shrug. “Look, Grady, I’m trained for this and I want to help. We’re friends. Why won’t you let me?”

      “You don’t have to take on the world’s problems.”

      “I’m not. Just yours—”

      “Where were we?” he interrupted. “Oh, yes. I was trying to replace a bad memory with a good one until your sister so rudely interrupted us.” He put both boots on the wooden porch and took a step toward her.

      She backed away and made a cross with her index fingers to ward him off. “A blatant attempt to sidetrack me and it’s not going to work.”

      He grinned. “How will you know unless we try?”

      If he continued to smile at her like that she would try anything and probably forget her own name. “Knock it off, Grady. This is serious. And you’re not as charming as you think.”

      “Yes, I am.”

      Yes, he was. But it didn’t quite distract her enough. She found it odd and disturbing that he wouldn’t tell her anything about the lawsuit. Granted, they hadn’t been close friends for years. But he’d seen how shaken she was when the teenage bull rider had been injured, and had stayed with her. A trusted deputy had taken his girls home. Even with the problem that had been dropped on him just that night, he’d flatly refused to leave her.

      Her heart skipped at the thought and warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with a June evening in Texas and everything to do with how sweet and thoughtful Grady O’Connor was. After all these years on her own, his warm, supportive presence was like a light at the end of a long black tunnel. She just hoped the beam wasn’t attached to a speeding locomotive.

      “I’ll take your silence as agreement on my charm,” he said.

      “I’m immune to charming men.”

      “Oh? Let’s test that defense.”

      He put his arm around her waist and loosely settled her against his chest. Cupping her cheek in his big, warm hand, he started to lower his mouth to hers.

      “I’m fine. I don’t need the distraction.” Jensen stepped away from the circle of his arms. “And you can’t afford to take this situation lightly.”

      “It’s just a nuisance suit.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his khaki pants.

      “Probably. But if you don’t take it seriously now, it could become more than that. Let me help. I can put together a strategy to convince the judge that the case is without merit and get it thrown out before it snowballs into something big. It’s my job, and I’m very good.”

      “I’m sure you are. But you’re good at it in Dallas, and I live in Destiny. I intend to seek legal counsel, but I’ll get someone local to handle it. Besides, you’re here on vacation.”

      “Not so fast, Sheriff. You know what they say about assuming something.”

      “What’s that?”

      “It makes an ass out of u and me.”

      He laughed. “In my case it’s probably no more than the truth. But it would be less than gentlemanly to agree with that—about you.”

      “I’m not just here for a vacation. My firm is considering opening a branch office in Destiny.”

      “Is that so?”

      “Yes, that’s so. Business in the area is expanding outward from the Metroplex. Growth brings jobs, people, housing. Because I know the area, the firm sent me here to handle it.”

      “So your offer to help is testing the waters of legal expansion?”

      “Of course not. I genuinely want to do what I can to advise you—legally. I’ve seen you with the girls. You’re terrific.”

      “Thank you, ma’am.”

      “I didn’t say that to flatter you. It’s just the truth. I can’t conceive of a good reason for anyone to initiate a suit like this. Tonight I saw for myself the love, discipline and just plain common sense of your parenting skills. We’ve already established it’s not a relative of yours or Lacey’s who’s behind this. It would be a crime to take them away from you. No one could love them the way their biological father could.”

      She saw the frown return to his face and missed the teasing look and the warmth it generated. What had she said? She’d sincerely meant the compliment.

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