Home Fires (3 page)

“Hi, Andy. Hold on a minute, will you?” She stood up. “Sorry, Lil, but I have to take this. It’s important.”

“Don’t mind me, honey.” She waved Rose away with an encouraging smile. “Go ahead and talk with your young man.”

Rose merely smiled and slipped into the hallway outside the waiting room. Andy Sabatini was under thirty and definitely male, but that didn’t mean he qualified as her young man. Not that Andy was about to let that stop him from actively pursuing the role. He’d already left two messages this morning. Apparently he intended to win her over with the same dogged persistence he practiced in following up with clients. “Okay, Andy, I haven’t got much time. What’s up?”

“You’re killing me, Rose. How long do you plan to keep me waiting?”

Her former colleague had never been good at small talk. His brain was wired in one direction: winning. Rose knew he had targeted her as his next conquest. “Andy, I’m sorry. I don’t have an answer yet.”

“Rose, you know—”

“I can’t talk about this right now. We’re at the hospital.”

“I thought the surgery wasn’t until tomorrow.”

“Mom is having some tests. An EKG, chest x-rays. They want to make sure everything is okay.”

“What about you?” His voice slowed, softening. “You doing okay?”

“I’m fine,” Rose said with a bravado she didn’t feel. The hospital smelled faintly of lemon disinfectant and fear, and she would give anything to bolt out the door and hit the highway. But there was no going back. She was in it for the long haul. Six weeks of long haul.

“Rose, I hate to put the pressure on you but I need some kind of answer soon.” Andy’s voice was back up to warp speed. “They’re breathing down my neck and I’m holding out for you. I want you with me, Rose. We make a great team.”

How could she forget? They had been hired by the same firm from the same group of law-school graduates. But three years with the firm had proved enough for Andy. He had his eye on the bigger picture and he’d moved onward and upward to Washington D.C. with a cushy job working with the Department of Labor. Leave it to Andy to work his magic and come up with a job for her.

But he couldn’t wave a magic wand and wish her into Washington. It was nearly one thousand miles away—five times the distance already separating her from home. Which, according to the world of Irene, was already two hundred miles too far.

“Think about it, Rose. Do you really want to spend any more time grinding out research memos or drafting pleadings for some partner who’s going to end up taking the credit for your work? Trust me on this. Come out here with me and you’ll have the chance to call your own shots.”

It wasn’t a matter of trust. She missed Andy. She missed having him directly across the hall in the cramped little office identical to her own. Rose shifted on her feet, closed her eyes and allowed herself a brief indulgence. From the get-go, his offer had sounded too good to be true. No more kowtowing to the firm. No more inane weekly meetings that wasted precious time. No more working her butt off trying to make partner.

“I know you, Rose. You would love it out here. It’s just what you’re looking for.” His voice lowered. “And I miss you.”

“Andy, that can’t be the reason that I—”

“I know, I know.” He cut her off. “Just think about it, okay?”

She swallowed down a fresh wave of guilt. Enticing as his offer might be, it definitely came with strings attached and she wasn’t about to lead him on just to land a job. She’d rather be stuck researching case law and writing briefs for the rest of her life than give Andy false hope. He wasn’t the man for her.

No one was. Not anymore. That part of her life was over. Dead and buried.

“I’ll wait to hear from you. Don’t forget, Rose, you’re the one that I want.”

Lil’s emerald eyes gleamed with interest as Rose slipped back into the room and her chair. “Something serious?”

“Andy’s just a friend,” she said in a lighthearted tone that she didn’t feel.

“Isn’t it funny how some friends have a way of becoming much more than that? Especially friends of the opposite sex,” Lil purred. “So, tell me. What’s he like? Is he good-looking? Tall, dark and handsome?”

“Very handsome,” Rose agreed, smothering a smile. Two out of three wasn’t bad. Andy, blessed with smooth Mediterranean looks courtesy of his Italian ancestors, barely met her nose to nose.

“He treats you well?”

“The best,” she affirmed.

“Then I say go for it!” Lil sat back triumphantly. “Obviously he’s attracted or he wouldn’t be calling. What’s stopping you?”

One thousand miles and a heart that wasn’t interested. “It’s rather complicated. We worked together…”

“Ahh, an office romance.”

“He’s no longer with the firm. He lives in Washington D.C.”

Lil nodded sagely. “A long-distance romance.”

“It’s not like that. Andy is… well, he’s…”

“He’s…?” Lil prompted.

Rose reluctantly nodded, hesitant to fill in the blank.

He’s not Jeff. He never will be. No one will.

“Say no more. I understand.” Lil cocked her head in tacit understanding. “He’s gay, am I right?”

Rose started to speak, then quickly decided to keep her mouth shut. Let Lil think what she wanted. Too bad it wasn’t the truth. It certainly would make things simpler if Andy was gay. At least then if she eventually accepted his offer both of them would know there were no strings attached.

Up until a few weeks ago, she’d thought things were going fine. She worked hard, put in long hours. The firm was happy with her performance. But the message from the senior partners had been clear, despite their approval of her request for six weeks of unpaid family medical leave. She was an integral part of their team, and team players didn’t walk away from their jobs. Team players found someone else to handle family emergencies. Team players stayed and worked their clients.

Team players made partner.

Rose sighed. This six-week sabbatical would probably mean at least another year grinding away for the firm. One more year of following the rules, schmoozing the clients and chaining herself to her desk. But how far could she push it? She was already working twelve-to-fourteen-hour days. Did she want to shoot for twenty? She’d already sunk pretty low. Pathetic, actually. A double espresso, comfy bathrobe and hefty Sunday newspaper now served as her regular weekend date.

But try as she might, she couldn’t visualize Andy lounging in a bathrobe beside her. She doubted he could sit still long enough to read the Sunday paper. He’d have her out jogging at the crack of dawn.

Lil patted her hand. “It just takes time, honey. Sooner or later, the right man will come along.”

“I’m not worried.” And she wasn’t. When was the last time she’d met someone new? Men didn’t exactly stroll into her life. True, there had been that fireman from earlier today. But did he even count? Smashing into someone’s prized pickup wasn’t the best way to meet a man. Still, he’d taken it in stride. Plus, he didn’t look like the jogging type.

More like someone who might fight her over the Sunday comics.

Once they managed to make it out of bed.

Rose blinked hard. When was the last time she’d even read the comics, let alone daydreamed about a man she barely knew? A man she probably would never see again.

The soothing pressure of Lil’s hand steered her back to the hospital lobby.

“Don’t think for one minute that you’ll have to go through this alone. I’ll be around whenever you need me. So will the Judge. You know how he can be. Once he makes up his mind, there’s no stopping him. He’ll camp out in your living room if that’s what it takes.”

Rose stifled a smile. With the Judge a daily visitor, she would definitely need to lay in an ample supply of coffee beans. His Honor broached no nonsense when it came to serious matters like his cigars and caffeine.

“There you are, you two.” Irene hobbled back into the waiting room, leaning heavily on her cane. “I’m sorry it took so long and you had to wait on me.”

“I haven’t seen our girl in a while. It gave us time for a good chat,” Lil replied with a firm pat on Rose’s hand.

“Who were you chatting about?” Irene’s bright eyes darted back and forth between them. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing at all.” Rose unfolded herself from the chair and offered a steady arm to her mother. “Here, let me help.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

Love and guilt mingled with relief as the soft weight of her mother’s slight frame sank against her. Rose blinked back hot, unexpected tears. How in the world was she going to do this? She’d never been good at nursing cuts and bruises, let alone assisting a semi-invalid. Six weeks of forced confinement in James Bay ranked at the top of the list of things she’d rather not do.

But how can I tell her no? She needs me. And I love her.

“Well, I’m ready to go.” Irene took a deep breath. “I’ve already had enough of this hospital. No doubt I’ll be mighty sick of it once I’ve been here a few days.”

“Enjoy it while you can,” Lil said as they headed for the door. “You’ll have lots of visitors and they’ll bring flowers and candy…”

“Ooh, candy, I like that idea,” Irene said as they stepped into the sunshine. “Remember, milk chocolates are my favorite… just in case anyone asks.”

Rose winked at Lil over the top of Irene’s head. Her mother’s fondness for sweets was well-known to all.

“I’ll bring the car around.” Lil left the two of them standing on the curb.

“Thank you for coming home, sweetheart.” Irene’s words were whisper soft. “Lil means well, she always does, but… well, I’m glad you’re here.”

One glance at the sweet familiar face wizened with pain and Rose’s heart melted like chocolate in the warm sun. Impulsively, she reached out and hugged her mother close. “Don’t worry, Mom, it will be okay. Things will work out.”

“Of course they will,” Irene replied matter-of-factly. “You’re finally home where you belong. That will do for a start. Now all we need to do is make sure you stay here.”

Rose’s jaw dropped in protest. Then, on second thought, she clamped her mouth shut. Better to save her energy and arguments. She would need all her wits in the next few weeks. Her mother, Lil, and the Judge had always proved staunch allies. If they got wind of Andy’s proposal, they’d be after her in no time flat to turn him down. Rose was straddling career choices that would impact her entire life. The last thing she needed was to spin her wheels battling counter tactics designed to keep her home.

So much for a leisurely sabbatical playing nursemaid and chauffeur, Rose thought to herself as she swallowed down a sigh. The next six weeks definitely were not going to be as simple as she had thought.

CHAPTER TWO

BAY BEAT

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The James Bay Journal

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WELCOME HOME!
Ms. Cecilia Rose Gallagher, a native of James Bay and associate attorney with the prominent Michigan law firm of Arthur, LaCross and Mindel, P.C., is back in town for the next several weeks to assist her mother Irene Gallagher, who will be soon be recuperating from surgery. Welcome home, Cecilia Gallagher, Esq.!

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“And the doctor said she came through the surgery fine?” The Judge’s face flushed red with heat as he sank down in the chair next to Rose and brushed her cheek with a kiss.

“She’s still in recovery,” Rose replied. “They let me see her for a few minutes, but they said it would be awhile before they take her to her room.”

The sight of her mother in post-op, hooked up to machines, drainage tube in her leg, had scared her more than she cared to admit. But Irene’s color was good and she had even managed a groggy smile as the two of them held hands. Rose held back the tears as she left the recovery room. There was no time for crying. Now the surgery was a success, they needed to focus on the knee and regaining strength through physical therapy.

The Judge loosened the knot of the tie at his throat and fingered open one shirt button, then another. “Your mother is a strong woman, my dear. She’ll pull through this fine.”

Some things never changed, Rose thought as she offered him a cautious smile. Jeff’s father had always proved a steady source of comfort and strength throughout the years.

“Where’s Lil?” He glanced around, his gaze sharp and penetrating. “She knew I had motions in court first thing this morning. She promised she would be here.”

“She’s around. She decided to take a little walk.”

“Probably down at the nurses’ station, gabbing with her friends.” The Judge settled back in his chair with a scowl. “She shouldn’t have left you sitting here alone.”

“Quit worrying about me,” Rose chided gently. “I’m a big girl, remember? Besides, Lil deserved a break.”

A retired nurse, Lil had proved a godsend this morning—patient and reassuring as the hours crawled by without a bit of news. Rose couldn’t begrudge her a quick stroll. Her own legs were stiff and cramped, and she longed for a chance to splash her face with cool refreshing water. But the bathroom could wait. She wasn’t going anywhere until her mother was completely out of danger and safe in her hospital room.

The day had been a long one, begun at four a.m. with the soft steady bong of the grandfather clock downstairs. She’d found her mother already up and moving quietly about the kitchen, feeding Bozo before they left for the hospital. The aging Red Persian seemed to sense something was amiss. He’d padded behind them through the rooms, his meows loud and protracted well before they left the house.

The Judge reached over and patted Rose’s hand. “No worries, hear me? Your mother’s knee will be good as new. Maybe even better, now it’s made of titanium and plastic. We’ll have her dancing in circles by the end of the summer. She’s a strong woman, my dear.”

“I know she is.” She’d always admired her mother’s strength of character in dealing with the day-to-day business of living, especially in the face of adversity. Irene and Michael Gallagher had been fine parents, the best a girl could ask for. Rose was an only child, named after her grandmothers, and the sole beneficiary of all the blessings her parents could lavish on the one child destined to share their love. And save for her parents’ inability to fill the empty bedrooms of their large house with brothers and sisters for Rose, their little family of three had been happy and content.