Happily Never After (4 page)

“Good morning, is David around?”

Samantha grinned. “He told me you accepted his job offer. You’re going to love it here. Let me buzz him. Would you like some coffee or tea?”

Before she could nod, David came down the hall with a big smile. “Kelsey, come on back, and I’ll show you around.” He used her elbow to steer her down the hallway.

They stopped several times to introduce her to various people until reaching the office next to his. He crossed the threshold of the small room and swept his arm around in a grand gesture. “Just think, this can be all yours if the price is right. Let the brown nosing begin,” he added with a grin.

She smiled. “I don’t know if I can do this but thank you for giving me a chance. I love you for believing in me, yet once again.”

David gave her a one arm hug. “Kels, this may or may not be for you. But you’re strong, and you’re not alone. Go slow. We’re not real formal around here so you should be cleared by Monday. You can work a few hours a day, and then step up the pace when you’re ready. You’ll have to register to take the Bar Exam but until then, we can pick your sharp brain and use your expertise.”

She began the dull process of filling out paperwork the City and government insisted was necessary. Then David led her to the file room and explained how the system worked. When he left for a meeting, she wandered around the building to get acclimated.

There was a mock courtroom on the third floor they used for education purposes and the door opened when she tried it. Her footsteps rang out loud in the empty room. A tangy scent of lemon oil filled the air. Dark oak benches looked satiny smooth from the janitors polish.

It felt odd to enter a courtroom after all these months. The absence of body odor and the distinct smell of marijuana reminded her that it was all make-believe.

She left the small room and meandered further down the hallway. A lone figure waited where another hall intersected this one.
Why was he so familiar?
His face pivoted toward her. Her body froze in shock as her vision tunneled. Otis Warren stared back at her.

Without any warning, the first tendrils of panic curled up her throat like a clinging vine. She wanted to step back, but her feet had cemented themselves to the floor. Sweat rolled down between her breasts, and her heart beat an irregular pattern. Closing her eyes, she prayed. She didn’t know if it was for someone to help her or if it was for no one to see her like this.

Her hands balled into angry fists. “You’re dead. Go away and leave me alone.”

“Uh, Kelsey?”

The unexpected voice from behind made her eyes fly open and she spun around. Samantha watched her with wariness.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Samantha stammered.

Flustered, she stepped toward the younger woman. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean you. I was talking to . . .”

A quick backward glance revealed an empty hall. Damn. It wasn’t real. Her stomach curdled at the realization. Inhaling deep, she concentrated on breathing until she regained her composure. Pressing one hand to her mouth, she stifled the hysterical laughter threatening to erupt. W
hat is that gurgling noise? Why it’s the sound of my career swirling down the drain.

Her stride brisk, she passed the receptionist in the hall. “I was just leaving to go back to the hotel. Would you let David know?”

Samantha trailed behind her. “That’s why I came to find you. David called and he doesn’t think he’s going to return to the office after his meeting with the mayor. He will see you at his house later.”

She debated on whether to skip the elevator and race for the staircase. Tamping down the rioting emotions that threatened to bring her down, she pasted on a professional smile. She would not succumb to this. If she did, she’d never find her way back.

“Perfect. See you on Monday.”

Chapter 4

Kelsey enjoyed the evening. Bev’s description of the twins’ current fascination with speech didn’t do them justice. She’d been exhausted by the end of the night and fallen into bed. For once, nightmares didn’t plague her. The hallucination the day before had frightened her.
Was she getting worse instead of better?

Saturday morning the sun shone bright, and the sky was a beautiful shade of blue. Restless for the day to begin, she dressed and was out of the lobby by seven. The fair weather compelled her to lower the top of her convertible. She followed directions until the large community center appeared on the left. The front lot was full, so she drove to the side and found space to park.

She strolled to the back of the building searching for the door to the office. Odors so familiar and a part of her youth comforted her when she entered. A five-foot hurricane sped down the hall toward her.

“Kelsey! I’m so happy you’re here,” a small woman gushed and wrapped slender arms around her waist.

“Ann, I’ve missed you. It’s been too long.” Emotion clogged her throat. Ann was the director of the group foster home where she and David grew up. Kelsey knew how lucky they’d been in being placed under her care. She watched over the young residents in her charge like a mama bear. Anything she wasn’t comfortable talking to David about would end up in Ann’s lap. Girl things.

“Come into my office where we can talk.” Ann guided Kelsey to a large room and sat her down. “So, how are you? And I don’t mean the ‘I’m fine’ answer you’ve given me the last few months.”

She gazed at the caring woman who helped her transition from a shy, withdrawn child into a young lady. Ann pushed all her young wards to focus beyond basic day to day survival. Too many children growing up in the system succumbed to the hard world once they were on their own. Her motto was to develop a plan, work the plan, and have the plan succeed.

“Well, I’m here and that’s a start. I’m going to work with David.” She paused and then added with an eye roll. “I’m sure you already heard this.”

“Honey, I’m always here for you, whenever you need me.” Ann clapped her hands together in glee. “I was thrilled when you called and mentioned you were coming for a visit. Since I moved here and started this job, I haven’t been able to take a vacation. I’m even more excited now if you’re not leaving. Wait a minute.” She reached into the desk drawer and brought out a stack of papers. “These just came to me this morning.”

Kelsey accepted the pictures of a small detached garage. “What’s this?”

“It’s something for you to think about. This apartment is not big, but you could live there until you get familiar with the area and decide on a place that’s more permanent. The cost is reasonable. Unless you’re planning on living with David.”

She shook her head. “No. They asked me to, but I need to be on my own. My new life starts here, today. Can I take these and go by to check it out?”

“Sure, the garage apartment belongs to one of our seniors. I’ll call and tell her you’re coming over. There’s no pressure if you don’t like what you see.”

They chatted for the better part of an hour until Ann jumped to her feet. “Kelsey, I have a session to attend, but we can talk later if you’re going to be around.”

She grinned at her friend. “Still whipping people into shape?”

“Yes, and since you were rude and brought up my penchant for meddling, I’d like for you to visit with this group after you get settled in.”

She tried to maintain her smile but didn’t know if she was too successful. “Okay, I understand. You and David
did
talk, but I’m going to tell you what I told him. I’ll think about meeting with a new therapist. Can we leave it for now?”

“We can and we will. You’ll be the one to decide when and if you’re ready. I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late.”

“You know me. Point me in the right direction, and I’ll get out of your hair.”

Ann chuckled. “The world is a constantly changing place, but it’s comforting to know that some things never will. The court is down the hall and outside on the left.”

Cold air wrapped around her when she exited the building. She was anxious to find one of her favorite activities. A basketball court had been her second home as a teen and managed to take her to college on a scholarship. All aspects of the game captivated her. She loved the hard work, discipline and sheer pleasure of competing.

Three teenage boys were already playing when she found the court. They stared at her with the wary eyes of kids that live in places where vigilance kept you safe.

She joined them and smiled. “Hey, how about a little pickup game?”

“Yeah, and who’s going to play?
You
?” snorted a slim, Hispanic boy.

“Hmm, okay. I tell you what. If I can score a basket, then I get to join you.”

He contemplated her while the other two boys whistled and hooted.

“Sure,” he replied, “but don’t think I’m going easy on you.”

He threw the ball to her and she jumped into a smooth three-pointer from the midway line that made the taunting die down.

“Dang, girl. Where’d you learn to shoot?” the kid with the long brown hair asked.

“Around. Are we playing or are we yakking? Hey, what’s your name?” She pointed at the first boy. He answered, and she turned to his friends. “Okay, Jose and I against you two.”

While they played, the stress and panic of the day before fell away. Too bad she couldn’t always be this in control. Consumed by pleasure, the real world faded.

Bode spent a restless night, and when he woke, he didn’t feel much better. This was his first weekend off in over a month. He wanted to drive out to his favorite camping spot. Maybe do a little rafting. Too much down time made him antsy.

First, he’d go for a run to finish removing the unsettling introspections from the previous night. He preferred to leave the past where it belonged and live in the moment. After a mile, a flash of color drew his attention to the community center. Only one car in the area was that red and small so he came to a stop.

What the heck was the lady ADA up to now?
This neighborhood wasn’t in the safest part of town. It might be prudent for him to check on her. For David, of course. He reached the back of the building and gaped at the sight. Kelsey, ponytail on the top of her head, played street ball with some tough regulars at the center. How’d she end up with those three?

She nimbly dribbled around one of the kids and executed a layup that went in as smooth as silk. All four of them were absorbed in their game and oblivious to him. He rested against the chain link fence and watched the game.

The dark haired kid on Kelsey’s team made a two-pointer and like he’d won a championship, yelled out. “Winner!”

Kelsey gave her teammate a high-five and then thanked the other players. There was no sign of the haunted woman from the day they met.

Pure happiness radiated from her like a visible heat source. Beautiful before, now she glowed. The moment she saw him standing there, a natural smile lit up her face. She sauntered over to where he waited.

“Are you going to stalk me now, too?” she teased.

“Nope. I was out for a run when the butt kicking going on over here caught my attention. You up for some one on one?”

Kelsey snorted at his grin. “Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I just got warmed up.” She dribbled back toward the court.

He trailed behind her. The boys moved to the sidelines and sat on the concrete to enjoy the action.

Jose taunted him. “Man, she’s going to kick your ass.”

His attention on the teen, Kelsey charged forward. Her shoulder down, she glided around him to make another layup.

“Hey, that wasn’t fair. I was distracted by Jose,” he yelled out.

“No crying allowed. You’ll get the hang of it.” She threw him the ball.

Holding it high over his head, he winked at her. “What are the stakes? I play my best when there’s a prize. How about this? Loser buys dinner tonight. First person to twenty-one wins.”

Kelsey answered with a wicked grin. “Just to warn you, I haven’t bought anyone’s dinner in a
long
time.”

The game began. This wasn’t a game where the guy lets the girl dribble around a little. He pushed and went for the ball as Kelsey twisted left and right, always working to find an opening or to stop him from scoring. Too busy trying to keep her from winning, he couldn’t enjoy the smooth hands pressed against his body when she played defense.

She was in possession of the ball and dribbled away from the basket. He didn’t follow since he expected her to make a fast break. At the midcourt mark, she lifted into the air, arm following through for a perfect three-pointer.

When she landed, she smiled at him. “Twenty-one. Loser buys.”

The boys on the sideline all jumped up and started shouting over her win.

Bode had taken a butt kicking and was man enough to admit it. This new Kelsey fascinated him. “Where the heck did you learn to handle a ball like that?”

“A court pretty much like this one. Of course, I improved a little over the years playing for UT.” She stretched her arms and walked off.

“How’d you find this place?” He trailed along behind her.

“Ann is the director here now, but years ago she was in charge of the group foster home where I grew up. David and her being in the same town means a lot to me.”

He nodded. “I know her, she’s doing an excellent job.”

“Sounds like you know the kids here too.”

“Yeah, they enjoyed watching you clobber me. I don’t live far from here and stop by when I can.”

She circled around the building and strode toward her car. “I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with me, so let’s forget about dinner, and we’ll play a rematch sometime.”

This woman kept him off balance with her different personas, and he didn’t like it. He wasn’t sure yet if he liked
her
. So he surprised himself when he reached out and tugged her around. Dressed the way she was, with her hair disheveled and no makeup, she appeared far too young and innocent. He breathed deep and caught her sweet earthiness.

“Why do you dress the way you do?”

Startled, she stepped back in surprise. “What else would I wear to play basketball?”

He shook his head. “Not now. Now you look great. I’m talking about those expensive suits of yours and the librarian bun.”

She snorted her annoyance. “Spoken like a true Neanderthal. I have an image to maintain, so I dress to gain acceptance in the judicial world. You haven’t seen me at my best, but I promise you, I’m a force to take seriously.”

“You donned your warrior gear, huh?”

“I
chose
to work harder and longer than anyone else and to dare man or woman to dismiss me.” She reached for her door.

He placed one hand on the car to stop her. “I’ll be at your hotel at seven to pick you up. Be ready.” He backed up several steps to give her room. She cranked her car and drove off without a word.

No, this wasn’t a date. Going to dinner tonight would be a guy paying off a bet. He left to finish his jog, the camping trip long forgotten.