The Best Man

by Carol Hutchens

  Luke dropped his hands to his lap, concealing his clenched fists under the desk. “What are you saying?”

  Joel gave another careless shrug. “Maybe I want Kate back.” His cold gaze bored into Luke. “I won her over once, I could do it again. And don’t forget, we have a history.”

  “What are you getting at, Joel?”

  Joel shifted forward in the chair and rested his forearms on the edge of the desk. “I’m saying you need to keep Kate in line. She should pull her weight in the firm, and help boost our profits.”

  “Is there a threat in there somewhere?”

  Joel shrugged. “Do you want Kate to find out you went looking for her after the tsunami?”

  Luke’s chest expanded. “How did you know?”

  A smirk spread over Joel’s face. He shrugged. “It didn’t take a rocket scientist, considering the time of your supposed vacation.”

  “You’re not that good at figuring things out, Joel.”

  Joel relaxed against the back of the chair. “No, but I am good at snooping. As a matter of fact, you could say that’s my main talent…that and charming the ladies.” Joel laughed. “Laurel didn’t have any problem with showing me your credit card bill.”

  “Joel, you’re a low down piece of—”

  Joel waved a finger of warning, his grin wide. “Uh huh, don’t say it. We’re just alike, you and I. So, what’s it going to be, Luke?”

  Luke’s insides churned. What had Kate ever seen in this guy? So she found him good looking, if you liked sleaze-ball charm. “That’s where you’re wrong. We’re nothing alike, Joel, and you know it.”

  Joel lifted both hands in a dramatic shrug. “We both left Kate to fiend for herself after the tsunami.”

  Luke gritted his teeth. “You came home without her. At least I went looking for her.”

  “Same difference, pal.” Joel’s smirk returned. “You might have looked, but you left her there…just like I did.” His smile widened. “Do you want her to find out you deserted her just like I did?”

  “I’m nothing like you.”

  “No, but after all she’s been through, do you think Kate would take the time to figure that out?” Joel waited two seconds. His eyes turned to icy chips. “Reign her in, Luke, or I’ll tell her everything.”

  Chapter 7

  Luke had never felt so helpless. Then he remembered the long search for Kate in a country devastated by a wall of water and reconsidered.

  Joel had backed him in a corner.

  He’d allowed this mess to happen. He was the one who kept his feelings for Kate hidden. If he had leveled with her from the start, they would have been dating when Joel appeared. But no, he’d been concerned she would think he was interested because she was the boss’s daughter.

  He’d intended proving his ability to her father and then reveal his feelings for her. But Joel appeared, like an evil genie from a bottle, and rushed Kate to the altar fast enough to make Luke’s head spin.

  He would not stand around for Joel to use Kate again. But he didn’t want Kate to learn of his trip to Thailand, either. He wasn’t ready to explain his need to search for her. Above all, he wasn’t ready to admit his failure to locate her. He needed time. He wanted to win Kate’s respect. Then he’d admit he had failed her before Joel had appeared.

  But now wasn’t the time. So, did he bend to Joel’s demands, or call his bluff? Could he face the consequences of losing Kate again?

  The answer was, no.

  Luke slammed out of his chair and stalked to the window. He wasn’t ready for Kate to learn he had failed to rescue her. It was his old pride thing. He knew that. But he knew Kate, as well.

  He understood her desperate attempts to win her father’s approval. Hell, he’d felt the same way, but for different reasons. He could still see the look on Kate’s face when her father named Joel as partner. He never wanted to see her suffer like that again.

  Learning that he had left her for dead, just as Joel had, would put him on the same level as the other two men who had hurt her, and he couldn’t face that. Kate might forgive her father’s lack of interest. But she all but despised Joel. Luke wasn’t ready for the same fate.

  Now that Kate was back, he regain her trust. Form a new relationship. When the time was right, he would tell her of his search through dead bodies and debris. But he she needed time to adjust.

  And…he wanted time to show her that not every man in her life would reject her.

  ***

  Two days later, Joel slammed a client file down on Kate’s desk. “Where have you been?”

  Kate looked from the file under his hand to the red slashes in his cheeks. “Meeting with clients, if you must know. I didn’t realize I had to clear my whereabouts with you, Joel.”

  “Damn-it, Kate, you can’t jump off on a tangent, just because it suits you. You have to think of the firm. We need to put the good of the firm first.”

  “What are you calling a tangent?”

  She could almost see steam coming out his ears as Joel glared down at her. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t a good idea to get him riled up, but she didn’t like his attitude. Joel thought he could still tell her what to do.

  Well, she had a newsflash for him. They weren’t married, now.

  Okay, so technically, they were since Joel’s out of country divorce had proved a fake, but emotionally, they were as distant as two planets. And that’s the way she liked it.

  Joel was probably on edge because of the money he’d lost on the divorce scam. That and Laurel’s tearful pleas for him to do something, anything to prove he really loved her.

  Kate heart went out to her former friend. She understood what it felt like to love someone who didn’t return your feelings. But she couldn’t offer Laurel comfort. The wedge between them still existed.

  It wasn’t that Kate was angry over Laurel’s relationship with Joel. Kate couldn’t offer words of comfort. The secretary wouldn’t believe her if she told her. And Kate wasn’t certain she could stop herself from revealing her true feelings for Joel.

  So the office remained in an uproar since the news arrived two days earlier. Seeing Laurel’s distress brought back memories of her marriage Kate would rather forget.

  Looking back on her life with Joel filled her with regret. Why hadn’t she seen through his false act? His actions were so obvious to her now. It was hard to imagine she hadn’t seen him for the phony he was. But she had been deluded by his declaration of love. She could see that, now.

  She’d been so starved for her father’s affection and approval, Joel’s immediate interest in her had acted like a soothing balm to her wounded heart. The fact was, she’d wanted to believe she was loveable. Had needed evidence that it wasn’t her fault her father didn’t love her, but some flaw of his. Joel’s vows of love were the affirmation her bruised ego needed.

  When Joel suggested they marry after a whirlwind courtship, she’d jumped at the chance to show the world she was a loveable human being. For the first time in her life, she’d felt valued, a part of a whole. Part of a complete family unit and the truth was, Joel’s assertions of love had meant nothing.

  It was too late to correct the past, but she wouldn’t make that same mistake in the future. From this day forward, she would not expose herself to meaningless relationships.

  “This Crime Center stuff, that’s what.” Joel waved his arm in a sweeping motion. “And all the calls you’re getting from Child Protective Services.”

  Kate straightened. “You’re monitoring my phone calls?”

  Joel gave her a swift glance, and backed away a step. “Of course. I am a partner in this firm, you know.”

  “I was under the impression phone calls were private, even from other partners. Attorney client privilege applies to phone calls, too, you know.”

  Joel wilted under her glare and the threat implied in her words. “Of course they are.” He blustered. “But I’m your husb—”

  “Ex-husband! You’re living with another woman w
hether it’s cleared legal channels or not. And as far as I’m concerned, you don’t have any right to monitor my calls, ex or not.”

  Joel backed up another step. “It’s not as if Laurel told anyone but me.” His chest puffed out. “She didn’t tell Luke.”

  Kate sent him a look that she had used to protect her meager food supply while was stranded on an island with starving people. It had worked on starving refugees, and now it worked on Joel. When he slinked another step toward the door, she gritted words through clenched teeth. “I wouldn’t have minded as much if she had told Luke.”

  Joel’s face filled with color until he looked ready to explode. “Don’t think he’s going to take your side on this. I’ve already taken care of that.”

  “You would do well to warn your girlfriend about privacy issues in a law office. Do you understand?”

  “Now, see here, Kate. Laurel is a fine secretary. She understands partners need to pull together, even if you don’t.”

  “If she shares my phone messages with you…one more time…she won’t have to worry about what happens to the firm. Do you understand me, Joel?”

  Joel’s face flared red as flames. “N-now s-see here-e, Kate, you can’t fire Laurel.”

  “If she shows you my messages one more time, we’ll find out, won’t we?”

  “Decisions in this firm are made by the partners.” Joel’s chest expanded as he got his second wind. “And don’t think you can sweet talk Luke into taking your side.” His teeth bared in a snarl like a rabid dog. “I’ve taken out a little insurance to make sure I don’t get left out of the loop in this firm.” Joel clamped his mouth shut and swung out the door.

  Kate fell against the back of her chair. The shudders she had held back under Joel’s onslaught shook her body. What insurance was he talking about?

  Her father had kept up with what she and Luke were doing, but she didn’t think he had ever stooped to checking on their phone conversations. Was this something new? Joel’s influence over Laurel, no doubt, but still, Kate hated that Joel could keep track of her so easily.

  She stood, ready to rush to Luke…but she reconsidered. She had assured him she could take care of herself. If she couldn’t manage the office staff, then she had been fooling herself.

  Kate pushed the button on the phone. “Laurel, would you come to my office, please?”

  “Sorry, Kate, I’m helping Joel—”

  Kate darted across the office and flung the door wide. Joel was leaning over Laurel’s shoulder as if he were about to kiss her. They both jumped at the sound of Kate’s door banging the wall. Kate crossed her arms and stared at them for long seconds. “Laurel? Can you come in here a moment, please?”

  Laurel darted a look from Kate’s stern posture to Joel, standing at her elbow, and started to rise.

  Kate caught movement out of the corner of her eye and bit her lip. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to step in now. This was her battle. She intended to set the rules.

  She held the door and waved Laurel through. Then followed her inside, closing the door with a sharp click. She walked toward the desk, motioned the secretary to take a seat, and stood behind the desk. “Laurel, how long have you worked with this firm?”

  “Since Mr. M—your father opened the office ten years ago.”

  Kate settled in the desk chair, taking time to choose her words. “You like working here? I know you’re good at your job. But are you happy here?”

  Laurel’s face flushed. “Thanks, Kate. You know I love working here. We talked about it lots of times. I never wanted a degree or a fancy title. I’m good with people and a fast typist. I fit in here.” Laurel’s brow wrinkled as she met Kate’s solemn stare. “W-why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering. I know you said at one time, you were happy with your job.” Kate crossed her hands on the desk. “I wanted to make sure you still feel that way.”

  “Oh, yes. I love working with—”

  Laurel’s face turned a bright red. She swallowed.

  Kate almost took pity on her. But at the last moment, she lifted her chin and clamped her lips in a firm line. This woman along with her so called husband had marked her off for dead. Their actions had delayed her discovery and return. She’d been struggling to get enough to eat to survive while they had gone on with their lives.

  But that was another story. Kate forced her personal feelings back and slammed a mental door on them. This issue was about the law firm her father had devoted his life to building, not her bruised ego.

  Truth was, if she were totally honest, this was about her inability to connect with the man who’d devoted his entire attention to this firm. But she wanted to put all that behind her. She had one legacy left to her by her father, his life’s work in the firm. She intended assure the firm survived.

  By doing so, she could prove she was as good an attorney as her father had been.

  Quelling those thoughts, focused on the issue at hand, she assumed the stern expression her father frequently used on her, and firmed her confrontation with Laurel.

  “Yes? You were saying?”

  Laurel’s eyes burned bright as she squared her shoulders. “I love working here.”

  “With Joel,” Kate said, managing to curb the urge to snort. She kept her focus on the issue. “Are you willing to keep your private life separate from work?”

  “Yes, I think so.” Laurel squeaked as she gripped the arms of the chair.

  “Good, because we would hate to replace you after all this time, and sharing information about private phone calls would be grounds for dismissal.” Kate paused to let her words sink in. “Are we clear on this issue, Laurel?”

  “Yes,” Laurel nodded. “I-I understand.”

  Kate fought to keep her shoulders from sagging. “Good, well, let’s get back to work.”

  ***

  “She can’t do that!” Joel turned from saying to Luke and jerked to face Kate across the expanse of her desk. “You can’t do that.”

  Kate leaned back in the chair and sent him what she hoped would pass for a bored look. Since she’d moved into her father’s office, she’d learned to appreciate his use of intimidation by the size of his desk.

  “Do what, exactly?” She asked as if she didn’t know he was referring to her talk with Laurel fifteen minutes ago. She had to hand it to Joel. He’d taken longer to sooth Laurel’s feelings than she expected. Longer than he’d ever spent easing her tension. Maybe he really did love her.

  Joel turned a furious glare on Luke. “Tell her, Luke. She can’t run this firm as if she is the controlling partner.”

  Luke leaned one hip against the desk as he studied the shorter man. “What’s this all about, Joel?”

  Joel’s jaw worked as his face turned a deep red. “Kate threatened to fire Laurel if she brought her personal life into the office.” He turned a furious glare on Kate. “You know I’m Laurel’s personal life. You just can’t let go, can you.”

  “Stop right there.” Luke’s low voice startled Joel into attention. “This is a law firm, not a playground. The bickering has to stop.”

  Joel’s jaw clenched. “There’s no bickering. But you need to get her under control.”

  Kate lifted her chin and met Joel’s glare. “I simply reminded Laurel of her priorities.”

  “You threatened to sack her.”

  “If personal issues interfered with her work.”

  “You—”

  “Joel!” Luke’s stern tone cut through the furious comments. “You are out of line.”

  “I’m out of line?” Joel’s fury rose with each heave of his chest. “You think the two of you can gang up on me and run this firm, don’t you?” He contempt glared in their direction. “Well, I have news for you.” His throat recoiled in a lump under his chin. “I’ll see this firm destroyed before I’ll let you control my life. Do you hear me?”

  “Everyone in a city block heard you.” Kate snapped her lips shut, realizing she was adding fuel to his anger. “Look, all
I did was remind an employee to keep her personal life separate from her job and to stop sharing information about partners’ phone calls. Was that so bad?”

  Joel’s breathing slowed. His fists unclenched. “That’s not the point. You know I’m in a relationship with Laurel. That makes this a personal attack.”

  “It wasn’t an attack.” Kate straightened, her chin angled. “It was an attempt to put this behind us, To move on for the good of the firm, and protect attorney client privilege.”

  “So you say,” Joel growled, throwing himself into a chair. “It looks like you refuse to accept the end of our marriage.”

  “Our personal life has nothing to do with this issue.” Kate glanced at Luke’s clenched jaw. “For your information, our attempt at marriage failed long before we left on that trip. So, I don’t hold you responsible, okay.”

  “Look, Joel, we’re all adjusting to a new reality, here. Tension is running high.”

  Joel turned a long look on Luke. “Yeah, I know.” He shifted in his chair. “But it seems as if you two are ganging up on me.”

  “You think we’re ganging up because I asked our secretary to act professionally and not share private information?” Kate arched a brow.

  Joel lunged forward in his seat. “You’re changing everything, taking on all this pro-bono work, letting long time clients go.”

  Luke crossed his arms. “We aren’t collaborating against you, Joel. Number one, we didn’t let any clients go.” Luke dropped his arms and sat down in the other chair. “The last clients to leave the firm were your clients, Joel.”

  “Yeah, yeah…okay, so I’m having trouble adjusting after the disast—”

  “That excuse is worn out, don’t you think?” Kate stated calmly. He returned three days after the tsunami, unlike her. He should have been back to normal by now. “It’s time we let the past go and looked to the future.”

  Joel’s face crumpled in a sneer. “You can do that?”

  “I’m trying. I think you are too. You started over in your personal life. Why can’t you do the same professionally?” Kate leveled a calm look at the man she had once thought she loved.