Pro Bono Romance

by Shirley Holder Platt

  "We had a big fight a few days ago. He's been gone since then. Doesn't answer my texts or emails. Won't pick up when I call. He's done this before. Likes to sulk, if you know what I mean?" She huffed. He could imagine her frustration. He'd seen Martin around town with a woman who'd gone to high school with him but didn't think it was his place to tell Rainy. Maybe he should have said something.

  "Has he ever hit you?" Gabe would find the guy and break his nose if she said yes.

  "Not really. He just throws things around that make a lot of noise, but he's never laid a hand on me in anger. Don't worry about me, Gabe. I'm a big girl." Gabe didn't like the sound of her voice when she answered his question. Was she telling the truth?

  "I know you can handle yourself. I didn't mean that." He paced around the yard, and the dogs followed in his wake. At least they'd stopped barking. Zeke seemed to have finished his conversation and was talking to Nat.

  "What can I do to help?" Gabe asked when he was sure she and Sophie weren't in immediate danger.

  "The police are here. I've asked them to dust for fingerprints, but they laughed since Martin has been in and out of here a lot. I don't know how to prove he did this, but I want to sue him for all he's worth. He can't get away with this. Can you recommend an attorney I could talk to?"

  "Sure. How about me?" Gabe wondered why she didn't just come right out and ask him in the first place.

  "Well, I thought you were corporate law. This is a family dispute. Isn't it?"

  "Doesn't matter. I don't specialize in that, but I can help you. Do you want me to come over right now? Zeke looks like he's getting ready to head your way. I could ride with him."

  "You don't have to do that. Tell Zeke to stay there and enjoy himself. We just wanted to get the ball rolling and let you guys know what's happening. We really are OK for now," Rainy said.

  "But I'd like to see what he did.” Gabe was prepared to argue with her, he added, “Pictures don't do justice to this sort of thing." He'd temporarily lost his appetite. Might as well head on over there. It was an excellent excuse to see her. He'd never admit it to his brothers, but Rainy had been on his mind quite a bit.

  "If you put it that way. Come on. And Gabe?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Thank you." She sounded relieved, and that made him glad. He'd have to assess the damage and call in a favor from the state prosecutor’s office. Luckily, he had good contacts there. Then he’d hit the law library at SMU to hone his skills.

  "Thank me when I've done something to help," he said. "See you in a few minutes."

  Zeke had his keys out and was ready to go. He'd wrapped two burgers in paper towels.

  "We can eat on the way," he said.

  "Thanks," Gabe said as he took one of the burgers and picked up a few extra napkins.

  "I'll clean up here. You guys take care of the womenfolk," Nat said. He hadn't moved from the table where he'd seated himself and dug into his burger. He had half a plate left and didn't appear anxious to go with his brothers.

  "Good. Lock up if you leave before I get back," Gabe said. “And don’t eat all the pie.” He patted his brother's shoulder and left with Zeke.

  "What did Sophie say?"

  Zeke told him the same story he'd heard from Rainy.

  "Did you know Martin had a temper like that?"

  "Sophie doesn't tell me much. But she's said for the longest that Rainy would be better off without the creep. I hear he's been hanging out at Bart's Bar with some blonde bimbo. I didn't say anything to Soph. She would feel conflicted. You know, should she tell Rainy or keep it to herself? I didn't say a word, but the guy's no good." Zeke ran a hand through his hair and hit the steering wheel.

  "She deserves better," Gabe said quietly.

  "You like her, don't you?" Zeke asked the question that had been on his mind for half a year. He'd watched his brother in the café. Gabe couldn't keep his eyes off the woman.

  "What makes you say that?"

  "Just the way you watch her."

  "Well, the woman's got moves. I can't help but look."

  "OK. I was just asking. You don't have to get defensive. It's all right to like her, though. She's good people."

  "I don't like her. Leave it, bro." Gabe stared out the window as they drove on in silence. When they got to the house, the police were gone. Sophie opened the front door when Zeke pulled up to the curb. He jumped out and grabbed his wife in a bear hug.

  Gabe saw Rainy standing in the doorway. Their eyes met and held, and he felt all the blood run out of his brain and into a part of his body he didn't care to admit was happy to see her.

  "Down, boy," he said to himself as he walked quickly to her front door.

  "Thank you for coming," she said. She pulled the door open wider and motioned for him to step inside.

  The place was a disaster. He couldn't believe Martin would do something so destructive.

  "That must have been one hell of a fight," he said before he caught himself.

  Rainy stood straighter and pursed her lips.

  "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

  "I guess it's understandable. He did make a scene, didn't he?" Rainy was the master of understatement if that's what she thought about the mess he was seeing.

  "Mind if I take a look around?"

  "Please do. It's mostly downstairs. He didn't disturb much up there." She pointed her chin toward the stairway. "Most of the damage is in the kitchen."

  "Show me."

  She led the way. Zeke and Sophie followed them. Gabe let out a low whistle when he saw the broken china, flour, scattered utensils, and pots and pans. He took his phone out and started snapping pictures.

  "We'll need some visuals," he said.

  Rainy stood quietly with her hands clasped in front of her and let him work.

  "Is it all right for me to clean up now?" she asked when he finished. She was visibly shaken up. He saw more emotion on her face than he'd seen in the years he'd been going to her café.

  "Yes. We'll help," Gabe said. He checked to see Zeke and Sophie nodding their heads in agreement.

  "This was my grandmother's china. He knew it was special to me." Rainy picked up a piece of a broken dish and held it up. Gabe saw tears welling in her eyes and wished he could wrap her in a protective hug, but he didn't know her like that. Sophie stepped up and did the deed for him.

  "Oh, honey. We'll nail Martin's butt to the wall like a butterfly on exhibit at the museum," Sophie whispered. It wasn't that loud, but Zeke and Gabe could hear.

  Gabe stole a glance at his brother.

  "She's fierce," he said.

  Zeke smiled and nodded. He was proud of Sophie, no matter what she did. Gabe felt a sting of jealousy. He'd like to have someone like that in his life but hadn't found anyone he could stand more than a few months. He watched Sophie and Rainy disengage.

  "Got some heavy-duty trash bags?" he asked.

  "Here," Rainy said. She opened the utility closet door and jumped back when a cat flew out. The tabby became a blur in his vision as it streaked past them all and ran into the living area. Gabe heard it bounding up the stairs.

  "I can't believe he did that to Samson," Rainy said. "That’s cruel. I thought he was upstairs all this time. That's where he usually stays unless I'm feeding him."

  "Go check him out," Sophie said. "We'll get started here." She shoved Rainy past Gabe. She took a broom from the closet and handed it to Zeke. "I'll hold the dustpan," she said. Gabe bent to pick up the larger pieces of china.

  Sophie suggested they save some of the larger pieces, since it had sentimental value.

  “We’ll think of something to do with it,” she said as Zeke and Gabe began gathering them for her.

  “Let’s not tell Rainy yet,” Sophie said. The guys nodded. They worked for over an hour before the place started to look livable again.

  When Rainy returned, she said the cat was terrified and hiding under the bed. She'd been so startled by the damages; she hadn't checked on the animals. When
she realized her dog wasn't in the house or back yard, she panicked.

  "He better not hurt my dog," she said.

  "We'll get her back," Zeke said. He looked like a man with a plan. Gabe waited until Sophie and Rainy went into another room before asking his brother what he was thinking.

  "I've seen the creep with a blonde," he started.

  "Yeah, me too. It's Toni, from Hartford High. The girl he dated back then. They were always fighting and making up. He used to brag about the makeup sex. I always thought he was a braggart and made it all up to sound tough. I think he's messing around with her behind Rainy's back."

  "Do you know where she lives?"

  "No, but I know how to find out." Gabe located the washing machine and started a load with all the cleaning rags.

  "Good. Find the address, because we need to pay him a little visit."

  Gabe knew his brother’s temper. "No violence. If Martin has the dog, we call the cops. We can get him for dog napping. That's a provable offense I can use in court. It'll be better than trying to prove he did all of this."

  "I'll try, but if the guy gets in my face." Gabe watched his brother close his fist tightly and squeeze. He felt the same but knew that hitting Martin wasn't the way to go. Yet.

  Chapter Three – Rainy

  Sophie tried to convince Rainy that staying alone was not a good idea, but Rainy didn’t want to bother anyone. They were arguing when Zeke and Gabe knocked on the front door. Rainy ran to open it and grabbed a trembling dog out of Gabe’s arms.

  “It’s OK, Delilah, my sweet baby,” she cooed to the frightened animal.

  “She was tied up with a very short rope. We called the cops.” Gabe held his phone out, but Rainy was busy burying her face in the dog’s fur.

  “Where was she?” Sophie asked.

  “Um, can we talk?” Zeke asked.

  Sophie cocked her head sideways and bit the inside of her mouth.

  “Somewhere private?” Zeke said.

  Sophie, who wasn’t known for her patience, huffed and pulled her husband into the kitchen. Gabe stood with his hands in his pockets, not sure if he should sit or just leave.

  “What?” Sophie’s voice was so loud that the dog in Rainy’s arms was startled into a fit of barking. She put the animal down and turned to the kitchen with a puzzled frown. Gabe could hear Zeke shushing his wife.

  “What’s going on?” Rainy asked. She turned to Gabe, and he wished he’d opted to leave earlier.

  “Maybe you should talk to Sophie after Zeke and I leave.”

  “I don’t think so,” she said. She got into his space and looked up at him. “Spill it. What’s he telling her that has her so upset?”

  “I really think…”

  Rainy laid both hands on his chest and shoved. He took a step back and blinked.

  “Stop stalling, Hart. Tell me where you found my dog tied up like a criminal.”

  “Well, she was in the back yard.”

  “Back yard of whose house?” Her face was splotchy, and her lips were trembling. He wished Sophie or Zeke would come in and tell her the bad news.

  “You won’t kill the messenger?” he asked.

  She stomped a foot.

  “Damn it, Gabe.”

  “OK. OK. We found him in Toni Broetchke’s back yard.” He moved away from her quickly, because she looked like she needed to hit something hard.

  “Toni Broetchke? The blonde bimbo he dated in high school?” Rainy followed Gabe’s movements as he made his way to the couch and sat down.

  “That’s her.”

  “And what was my dog doing in her back yard?” Rainy surely could piece the puzzle together. He didn’t want to have to spell it out for her. She paced about for a few steps, then yelled into the kitchen. “You guys get in here.”

  When Zeke and Sophie came in holding hands, Gabe felt a smidgen better. At least they could ease the tension radiating off Rainy and onto him.

  “Was Martin there?” She asked the question he’d been dreading. The room fell suddenly still. Rainy asked again, “Was Martin there?”

  “His car was in the driveway.” Gabe said quietly.

  “Did you confront him?” Sophie asked Zeke.

  “No. Gabe wouldn’t let me. He called the cops, so we waited for them. He took pictures and told me he could use them as evidence.” Zeke was frustrated. He liked to fight, and his brother had talked him out of it.

  “We’ll prosecute. When it’s all over, if the guy ends up with a broken nose or a missing tooth from someone in a blind alley, he’ll have to figure out what to do with that then,” Gabe said.

  “Did they arrest him?”

  “Sure did. He’ll probably be out on bail by now. Toni followed them to the station,” Zeke said.

  “And I can sue him? Do you think I need a protective order?” The events of the night seemed to hit Rainy and bend her over. Gabe went to her and rubbed circles on her back.

  “Don’t cry,” he said. “We’re here for you.”

  “I don’t know if I want to cry, scream, or roll up into a ball and tremble,” she said.

  “I don’t like the idea of you alone here tonight. What if he comes back?” Gabe asked as Rainy paced her living room like a caged tiger.

  “You can come to our place,” Sophie volunteered. “Or I could stay with you. I already told you that Zeke wouldn’t mind.”

  “I can’t do that. You guys are still newlyweds.”

  “That’s silly. We can be apart one night without the world falling apart.”

  “I agree, you shouldn’t be here alone,” said Zeke. “Come to our place.”

  She shook her head.

  “I’ll stay.” The words were out of his mouth before Gabe gave it a thought.

  All three people stopped and stared at him.

  “I can sleep on the couch. If he comes back, he might get that broken nose early. Protective orders, even if you have them, only go so far.” Gabe said. He turned to Rainy and held out his hands in supplication. “Let me do this for you. I’ll feel better if you’re not alone.”

  Rainy blinked back tears and sniffed.

  “That’s above and beyond,” she said. His offer surprised her. She was used to taking care of men, not having them take care of her.

  “I’ll be glad to do it. Where do you keep the extra pillows? That’s all I need.” He stated it so matter-of-factly that everyone seemed to accept his solution.

  “They’re upstairs in the hall closet outside the guest bathroom. You can stay in the guest room. It’s all made up and will be more comfortable than the couch.”

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Sophie said. “I’m pooped. Zeke, let’s get out of here so they can get some rest. I’m sure Rainy is exhausted.”

  “Sure thing,” Zeke said. “Want me to come by and pick you up in the morning?” he asked Gabe.

  “I’ll take him to the café. You can meet him there, and you two can figure out how to get him to his car. Will that work?” Rainy asked.

  Chapter Four – Gabe

  Rainy seemed to have gained her equilibrium and was taking charge of the situation. Gabe was glad to see her rallying. He wasn’t looking forward to being so close to her all night. She was a temptation he’d avoided for years, and now he would be sleeping so near he’d be able to hear her when she turned over in her bed. The thought sent his body into overdrive. It would be a long night, but she was worth it. He just hoped he wouldn’t give himself away. She’d never shown the least interest in him, and he would be damned if he’d let her know what she did to him simply by breathing in his vicinity.

  He and Rainy walked Zeke and Sophie to the door and waved good-bye.

  Gabe felt awkward, so he knelt and gave the dog a pat between the ears.

  “What’s her name again?”

  “Delilah,” she said.

  Later, Rainy was in the shower and Gabe was in torment. He thought that her on-suite bathroom must back up to the wall of the bedroom she’d put him in. He coul
dn’t turn his mind away from the fact that there was a naked woman in the next room, and it was the very same woman he’d fantasized about for years. Her dog, Delilah, had her head in his lap. In the Bible story, Delilah was the woman who brought the downfall of the strong man, Samson. The name of the dog was perfect. It helped remind Gabe to keep his libido in check. He rubbed the dog’s back. It had taken the animal an hour to calm down after the dog napping. She whimpered if he touched her neck where the rope had been tied too tight. Gabe wasn’t the big animal lover his brother, Nat, was, but he couldn’t understand anyone hurting an innocent dog. If he wasn’t helping Rainy, he’d probably have taken the case on, pro bono, to get to Martin. The man was despicable.

  The sound of the water stopping sent his mind back to Rainy. He pictured her stepping out and wrapping a towel around her shapely body. To get his mind off his hostess, he dropped to the floor and did fifty sit-ups. He was dripping sweat and breathing hard when he heard a knock on his door.

  “Gabe? Are you decent?”

  He’d stripped down to his shorts to exercise, so he pulled his jeans on quickly and answered in the affirmative.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  She walked in wearing a soft robe that covered her from the neck to her painted toenails. It didn’t matter, she could have been wearing a space suit for all he cared as his imagination had him wondering what she had on under the housecoat. Her hair was wet, and she’d brushed it back and into her signature pony tail.

  “I wanted to make sure you found everything you need.” She licked her lips as her eyes traveled to his sweaty chest and back to his eyes, stopping for the briefest moment at his mouth.

  “Yep. Just finished working out. I’ll be taking my shower now.” He could smell the soap she’d used. His mouth felt as dry as the Sahara. He needed to get out of the room. He rushed past her and realized he didn’t know where towels were stored. With his hand on the bathroom door, he turned to Rainy. “Towels?”

  I laid them on the bed for you. She walked to the bed he’d been sitting on earlier and picked up a set of towels. Gabe felt like an idiot. He nodded and took the towels without a word. He decided a cold shower was in order.