Layla returned to the table, and Forde stood to help her into her chair. “So what did I miss?” She looked at us expectantly.
Ryan tilted his head toward me. “Dad was giving him advice about a woman.”
Layla’s gaze settled on me. “Any particular woman, or just women in general?”
Before I could give her a blow-off answer, Ryan spilled. “Billie.”
Layla’s eyes widened, but then she narrowed them. A sign that she was plotting. “Really?” She kept studying me, but said no more.
I gave in. “That’s all you’ve got? One word?”
“It’s a good word.” She shrugged. “It encompasses a lot.”
Her cryptic comment was out of character for my friend’s wife. Usually she was a talker when it came to my dating. “A lot?”
She rubbed her belly while she thought. “I’ve noticed the two of you together.” She held up her hand before I could interrupt. “Talking, laughing, and I like the look of it. You seem…I don’t know,” she frowned, “more gentle with her. It’s like you’re tuned into her, and you give her time. I like it. You are…” She drew a breath and sighed.
I curled my fingers in a “gimme” motion. “Don’t hold back now, mama.” I smiled to soften my words.
“You can be kind of aggressive, verbally.” She smiled because I had just proved her point. “But with Billie, you’re watchful. You treat her like she’s a little fragile.”
“I’ve talked to her like ten times, so I don’t know where you’re getting all of this,” I scoffed. Her summation unsettled me.
“Even though she’s super competent, you have to admit there’s something about her that seems a little…” Layla struggled for words, “...broken might be too strong of a word, but she’s been bruised deeply, maybe.”
“Yeah,” I muttered under my breath.
“Having a man who looks out for you isn’t all bad.” Layla smirked, and then looked at her husband.
“I’d say it worked out very well for both of us,” Forde added.
Great, now they both were smirking at me. This was getting out of control. “Pump your brakes, guys.” I could feel the pieces falling into place, and I needed time to review them. I needed to figure out what I was going to do about Billie. “So, I talk to her, but hell, I talk to a lot of women.” I wanted to put them off of this track.
“I made a ten-year deal with Billie. If you get there first, then I won’t stand a chance.” Ryan’s forehead was furrowed. I knew that look because his father wore the same one when he wasn’t pleased with what he was seeing.
I jumped on the kid’s statement. “See? You don’t want to cut your kid out of the action, do you?”
Layla chuckled. “Yeah, like she’s not going to be scooped up for ten years.” She rolled her eyes.
Ryan’s frown deepened. “But she said—”
“I didn’t say she wouldn’t be single, but I think there could be a man or two in between,” Layla said, soothing her stepson.
Too bad she was wrong. If a man had Billie, I couldn’t see him letting her go.
Chapter Twelve
Tye
Christ, she looks good. My gaze swept over Billie’s body, appreciating her lush curves and the cleavage her sweater provided. She wore black, wide-legged pants and heels, but it was the medium blue wrap sweater that had my attention. In order not to seem like a perv, I focused on her face. That looked good, too. Her lips were shiny, and her eyes were framed by long, darkened lashes.
“I’m ready,” she said, stepping forward.
If I didn’t move back, we’d be front to front. As delightful as that thought was, I did move out of her way, giving her room to lock her door, and then to check and recheck it. “Well hello to you,” I teased, counting. Three times seemed a little excessive.
She turned her head in a jerky motion, her gaze darting toward the locks. “You’re right.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m a little nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?”
“Well,” she took in a deep breath, which did fabulous things for her tits. “You sort of got pushed into taking me to this thing, and I don’t want to be a bother.”
“There was no ‘sort of’ about it.” When her expression registered hurt, I softened my comment. “But Forde was right, and I hate that.” I gave her one of my patented, disarming grins. “I was working up to inviting you. He just fast-tracked it.”
Billie’s “oh,” was a whisper.
“Come on,” I pointed to my car that was idling at the curb in the no parking zone. “My dad’s probably just seconds away from honking the horn.”
She walked down the steps to my Jaguar.
I opened the back door for her, and after she settled in, I closed it softly. Yes, I knew it is a showy ride, but I’d bought it after I’d won my first million dollar case. I’d been flying high and had wanted to send a “fuck you” to everyone who’d ever told me I didn’t have what it took to be a success.
As I drove, I listened as my dad told Billie his connection to the lecturer, and that we were going to be seated at the front and treated as VIPs at the reception. She listened, and when the eventual quizzing started, she handled my old man with finesse.
“Now, Jerry, you know the battles aren’t my focus. I’m more interested in the women’s stories—how they fared at home during the war. Not that a farmer’s wife didn’t already do backbreaking work, but how she handled the loneliness and fear with the men gone. I can’t imagine how hard that was, and how frightened she must have been.”
“I don’t look down on you for that, Billie.” Dad’s voice had gentled a tiny bit. “The men needed something to come back to. Then the women had to deal with how they’d changed when they returned, or face the reality that their father/husband/son/brother was gone forever. It’s an underreported piece of our history.”
I glanced at her over my shoulder while we were stopped at a red light. Her eyes were bright, and she appeared more relaxed than earlier.
After I dropped Billie and Dad at the front door of the auditorium, I followed the slow moving line of vehicles into the parking garage. I backed into a spot and got out. I’d dressed in black jeans and a light cotton sweater in a brick red. Of course, I caught flak about it. My dad was wearing a white dress shirt with a wool blend trouser. I’d told him that it was my day off, and I wanted to be comfortable. The retired military man didn’t grasp my fashion choices, but then again, he would never drop four hundred dollars on a sweater either.
Soon after I entered the auditorium’s side entrance, I spotted Dad and Billie talking to a group of men. I could tell by dad’s body language that he knew them, but Billie’s shoulders looked tense. I moved to her side and said softly, “Sorry that took so long.”
She flashed a grateful smile.
“Tyler, this is Bill Markham and Sam Jewell,” my dad said, introducing me to his friends. “They drove here from Madison. We’re a part of that group on the internet I told you about.”
I held out my hand to the first man, “Tyler Burke,” and shook.
After we’d finished with the niceties, I spoke up, “I think we should see about getting to our seats.” I knew that would get my dad moving. We said our goodbyes, and I laid my hand at the small of Billie’s back. She didn’t move away from me, which was pleasing.
As we were escorted to our third row seats, I reevaluated my stance on not nailing the lovely Billie. I was attracted to her. I had eyes. She was smart, and as far as I knew, nice. However, there was something about her that seemed mysterious, as if she held herself a little bit apart from what was going on. I hadn’t forgotten the scene at the gym. She might be more than I wanted to deal with. I liked my women easygoing, and I didn’t think that deep down she was.
Graham Sitwell took the stage. His grey hair was longer than the last time I’d seen him on television. He was dressed in what could be described as mountain western wear. His plaid shirt snapped down the front. Jeans and boots completed his ens
emble. He was well spoken and talked for an hour, and then the house lights came up for the question and answer portion of the program. Billie hadn’t moved very much during the lecture. Something I appreciated. I hated people who fidgeted. It was one of my rules for interns and associates. If they couldn’t sit still, they couldn’t sit at my table.
As was typical with these things, most of the questions were about topics that had been covered, and, of course, somebody always asked. “What would have happened if the South had won? What would our lives be like now?”
I let my mind wander, considering whether I should dump my dad after the reception and invite Billie out to a late dinner. The logistics sucked because my dad was staying at my place. I couldn’t very well say, “Grab an Uber,” and be done with him. Plus, I didn’t think Billie would approve. So dinner was out.
The applause turned my attention back to the lecture, and I joined in politely.
My dad leaned forward. “So, Billie, what did you think?”
“He’s a very practiced speaker.”
One side of my mouth lifted, and I looked at her.
“What?” she mouthed.
I leaned a little closer to her. God she smelled good. “I notice you didn’t say anything about the content.”
She didn’t move away. When she spoke her voice was soft. “It was very well produced, probably scripted. I’m sure he’s given the same presentation a number of times.” She gave me a meaningful look.
“Nothing groundbreaking?”
“Nothing that I haven’t heard or read before, and keep in mind that I’m not half as wrapped up in the history as most of the people here.”
“And they paid at least fifty dollars to hear him lecture live...” I was following her train of thought.
“Don’t forget the book sales, because I’m sure there’s a stack of his latest somewhere around here,” she said drolly.
“You really don’t like the whole show business thing do you?”
I watched her grind her molars for a moment. “That’s probably true for a number of reasons.” She bit her lip for a second. “I expected more from an expert lecturer. Not a scripted speech. I wanted to learn, and this was just a smooth presentation of the main themes of two of his books.”
I smiled wryly. “Remind me to never invite you to see me in court.”
“Why?” Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“I’ve been known to get a bit dramatic when presenting my point,” I admitted.
“Now, I really want to see you in action.”
When she smiled, I felt my cock rouse. “I forbid it,” I teased, shaking my head.
“Please?” Her hands touched in a praying motion. Then her smile turned sly. “Or I could just ask Forde…”
“Oh, low blow.” I chuckled. “We’ll see.”
I could tell by her widening smile that she thought she’d scored, but I was the winner. I suddenly liked the idea of showing off in front of her.
For the last half hour I’d been standing against a wall, watching. We’d walked the block to the old Victorian house the university used for small gatherings. Billie was being escorted around by my father, who knew that having a beautiful woman on his arm gave him a certain amount of cachet, and since Billie could speak on the topic, he probably felt like he was a king for the night.
I didn’t begrudge him this time. He’d picked up and moved when Layla had been kidnapped last fall. He’d come to help and never went back to his home in Mississippi. Now, with the baby due any moment, I was resigned that Jerry Burke was going to be around. I wasn’t thrilled he was currently living in one of my guestrooms, but since I didn’t spend a lot of time at the house, so I dealt.
I spotted Graham making his way through the crowd, heading in the direction of dad’s group. I pushed away from the wall and headed there, too.
As I drew near, Graham still held Billie’s hand after their introduction.
She saw me coming and a look of relief brightened her expression. I thrust my hand out. “Sitwell, good to see you, again.”
“Hello.” He dropped Billie’s hand and grasped mine.
I could tell from his searching glance, he had no idea who I was.
That didn’t bother me in the least. After we shook, I wrapped my arm around Billie’s waist and smoothly moved her away from the man.
The lecturer gave my gesture a look, and then glanced away to speak to another one of his fans.
“Thanks,” Billie mumbled, after we’d moved out of range.
“He’s probably in shock a beautiful woman was here,” I said, loosening my grip.
“The thing is, you could lump me in with the other academics here.” She looked around the room. “I’m just another student of this subject.”
She had a point, but Billie would always stand out because of her beauty. “Babe, there is nothing lumpy about you.”
She aimed a narrow-eyed glance my way. “Really?”
“Just being honest.” I allowed my eyes to drop to her tits.
“God, you are a jerk.”
I took no offense to her words because she followed it with rueful shake of her head.
The evening wore on. The food was consumed, although it was terrible. I don’t know why I even fixed a plate, because it was the same at these types of events, the caterer always managing to wring the taste from every dish. My phone vibrated, signaling an incoming text. I pulled it from my pocket to check the message.
Forde: L’s in labor
Need I point out that the man was ice cold under pressure?
Me: On way to hospital?
Forde: Yes
I grinned. I could imagine Ryan was bouncing off the walls, and my brother would be trying to control that while attending to Layla.
I walked to my dad, who had once again wrangled Billie and was holding court in the far corner of the room.
She saw me coming, and as I neared she moved toward me. “Is everything all right?”
“Lay’s in labor,” I said, raising my eyebrows.
Her smile was full of warmth. “Oh, boy.”
“That about sums it up.” I gave my dad a chin lift, signaling for him to break free and join us.
“What’s up?” he asked. “I was just telling Jenkins that his theory about the Henry Rifle was all wrong,” Dad groused.
“Well, Grandpa, it’s happening...” I waited for his reaction.
His eyes grew wide. “Then, I guess we’d better get over there.” He turned on his heel and headed to the door, leaving Billie and I watching his back.
She put her hand on my forearm to get my attention. “I can call for a ride or a cab.”
“You don’t want to come with us?” I’d thought she’d want to be there for her friends.
“Well, I mean, you’re family, and I’m not…” She shifted from foot to foot.
“B, you’re a part of this, and I’ll use your word, family. This is a big deal, I think Layla, and I know Forde, would want you to be a part of it.”
She bit her lip. “If you’re sure?”
“Besides, we might need you to handle Ryan. I think there’s a chance one of the guys might shoot him.”
“He is full of energy.” Billie tilted her head a little to the side while she considered my invitation. “Okay, I’ll come.”
I escorted her to the door.
During the drive to the hospital, Billie kept us updated. Zoe and Tony were dropping Livy off at Rick’s mother’s and then heading to meet us. Rick and Osi were working, but would check in. Jenn claimed she would wait until the baby was home. Hospitals made her itchy.
We followed Forde’s directions to the waiting room and checked in. We were the only people in the nicely appointed area. My dad started pacing.
“Jerry, come sit by me.” Billie patted the chair next to her.
“Sorry, honey. Am I making you uneasy?” My dad smiled as he took a seat.
Billie touched his knee briefly. “I’m sure Layla and the b
aby will be fine. This is supposed to be the best hospital in the area.”
I sat across from them. “How do you know? You Googled it, or did Layla tell you?” I was curious.
She shrugged and flashed a mysterious smile.
I immediately wanted to ask ten additional questions, but Forde entered the room. “Hey, Daddy-to-be.”
Forde ran a hand through his hair, which was loose and to his shoulders. “She’s settled in, and the doctor just finished checking her out.”
“So what’s the plan?” Dad asked.
Forde sat on the arm of the loveseat. “The doc says people can come in and out as long as she doesn’t get too tired or agitated.”
Dad rose immediately. “Well, let’s go.”
Forde and I followed. I noticed that Billie remained in her seat. “Babe,” I held out my hand to her.
Her gaze fell away.
“Dad, you go in first. I’m sure she wants to see you.”
I dropped my hand and caught Forde’s eye. “Give us a minute.”
Forde got my message and nodded. “Come on, Gramps.”
I squatted beside Billie. “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing, I mean, you’re her family.” Her gaze shyly met mine. “This feels a little overwhelming. I’m just a friend…and a fairly new one at that. I’m afraid I’ll be intruding.”
I gave her an exaggerated frown. “Look, I don’t know your history, you share very little.”
She started to open her mouth to respond, but then she abruptly closed it.
“The thing is, I’ve watched you. At first, it was because you were the new one, and after the Holly thing, I didn’t want another mess.”
She sat back in her chair and let out a loud sigh. “Go on.” Her eyes searched my face.
I took the seat next to her. “Do you know why I’m so good at my job?”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Uhm, because you’re smart and decisive?” Her voice came out low and throaty.
I couldn’t hide my smile. “I’m all that, but I read people. I study their body language, and I look into their eyes.” I paused and watched that sink in.
“So what...what have you decided about me?” When her blue eyes met mine, her steady look challenged.
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