Rachel’s eyes widened as she looked at him, and then back to Michelle. “You’re old like him?”
Michelle’s laughter rang out, the sound reminding him of Christmas cheer. He snorted in derision. He sounded like a sap.
“Yes, we’re the same age. Well a few months apart at least.”
Rachel giggled behind her hand. “Me and Bekah are the same age.”
“Really? How’s that possible?”
“We’re twins, silly.”
Michelle gasped and he felt himself respond with a chuckle. It felt weird, like he was a little rusty participating in the action. His laugh must have sounded odd because Michelle glanced at him.
“Twins are really special. You’ll always have someone to play with,” she said. “I had to wait until I was older to have a friend to play with.
“You had no one to play wif?” Bekah’s eyes widened.
Rebekah had such a compassionate nature. That’s how Charlene had been through and through. He looked down at his meal. Would she hate that another woman was enjoying a meal like they were a family?
Guy stuffed his face with spaghetti. Anything to block the questions from forming. He was a guy...why did he have to think so much?
“No one. But when I got to high school I met my best friends, Jo and Chloe.”
“Nana’s granddaughter, Jo?”
Michelle nodded at Rachel.
This was too surreal. Michelle talking to his daughters. In his house. At his dinner table. Another bite of spaghetti was warranted.
“The food is wonderful. Thanks for the invite.” Michelle smiled at him and he choked.
He grabbed his napkin.
“Papa, okay?” Bekah asked, worry furrowing her brow.
He nodded and wiped his eyes. “Wrong pipe, Jellybean.” More like, bad sense of déjà vu.
The rest of the dinner went by uneventful. It was almost comical in its normalcy. The only thing different was how well-mannered his daughters were. It made him wonder how much not having a mother affected them.
As Michelle hugged the girls’ good-bye, he watched, feeling like an outsider. They were all smiles and giggles and he felt the pang of Charlene’s death acutely. Life had too many questions, too many paths that beckoned to be explored. Only once you left one path, it seemed impossible to find the other.
“Thanks again for the invite.”
He gave a terse nod. Don’t be a jerk. “You’re welcome.”
With a wave, she was gone. Out of their lives.
But for how long?
Chapter Fifteen
Michelle turned the office lights on and headed toward the back. Coffee was a must. The first cup was always the best and usually the only one she finished. Once clients came in, she got lost in work and finishing a cup of coffee became irrelevant.
The empty secretary desk beckoned to her as she made her way back to her office. She really needed to consider hiring a secretary or even a paralegal to help do some of the research work. It was time to check her books to see if she could afford to hire someone.
The door chime rang through the office. It better not be Guy. Michelle still couldn’t believe she ate dinner at his house last night. Her acquiescence of the invitation had been to torture him. It was obvious he didn’t want her to accept, so in true adult fashion, she said yes.
It really would serve her right if he paid her another visit. She stopped short when she saw a young woman waiting in the outer office. The dark circles under her gray eyes and pallid looking skin bespoke a grave problem. Michelle had seen that expression many times before.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m...I’m looking for a lawyer.” The woman stepped forward then stopped, a look of uncertainty on her face.
“You found me. I’m Michelle Thomas.” She offered a hand in greeting. “Would you like to sit down in my office?”
The woman nodded, her black ponytail swinging with the movement. Whatever was going on with her, showcased across her features. Michelle would take the opportunity to watch her body language when she questioned her. It would be a mistake to assume everyone who came through her door was innocent.
Michelle gestured to the seat in front of her desk. The woman sat down, clinging to her purse strap. She had to be in her early twenties. Her clothing looked new so she couldn’t be homeless. Yet, her face was drawn tight and the circles were deep, making her eyes look lifeless.
“How can I help you?”
“I uh...I need a lawyer.”
Michelle nodded, trying to show compassion and not impatience. She grabbed a pen to jot down notes. “Okay. What do you need a lawyer for?”
“I uh...I got...” she looked down and exhaled.
At the abject misery on her face, Michelle’s compassion kicked in. “Take your time.”
The young woman looked up and gave a small smile. “I suppose I should introduce myself first. My name is Tanya Bledsoe.”
“Nice to meet you Tanya. You can call me Michelle.”
“Nice to meet you, Michelle.” Tanya took a deep breath and met her gaze head on. “I was arrested and charged with an OWI and vehicular manslaughter.”
Michelle’s pen clanged on the desk. What?
She tried to swallow but her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She would have guessed Tanya needed an attorney to help with child support or something. Not vehicular manslaughter. OWI and vehicular manslaughter cases were the ones she usually prosecuted. Not defended.
“I admit I was drunk.” Tanya’s voice was quiet as she stared at her hands. “I...I was really upset about something and had been drinking at a bar.” Her voice was almost a whisper, but it echoed in its starkness.
Michelle was surprised the sound made it past the ringing in her ears. She picked up her pen and prepared to ask questions. Only she had no intention of taking the case. She’d never defended a person charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. “So, you admit you were drunk?”
“Yes, ma’am. But I didn’t intentionally kill anyone.” Sincerity and strength brightened Tanya’s gray eyes, bringing them back to life.
If this case went to trial by
