by Lee Kilraine
“Ms. Joyner was the only one who listened, who heard what I was saying. She saw me—me as I am—not who she wanted to see. So thank you, Ms. J.”
Dear lord, Jo had needed to hear that. Maggie might have made some horrible choices lately, but Jo couldn’t be any more impressed with her than she was right then. It took a brave girl to own the mistakes she’d made and face down all the authority figures in her life.
Glancing down the table, Pope’s face was a blank mask, so Jo couldn’t tell how he was taking it.
“So yes, I screwed up, but how could you drop Bandit at the pound twice?”
Pope grimaced and shifted in his seat. “Look, Margaret, you know your grades were plummeting, you were cutting classes, and you weren’t taking care of that dog. I honestly thought it would get adop—wait, twice? No, I only dropped him there the one time.”
Every head in the room turned to Maggie’s mother.
“Well, of course I took the puppy to the pound. That juvenile delinquent of a boyfriend never even checked with us before he gave you the dog. And then you were never home to take care of him properly. That thing urinated all over two of my Aubusson rugs. The ones I had shipped from France. He ate my favorite shoes—my Manolos, Mags—and then the damn thing bit me when I tried to rescue them. That was the last straw.”
Oh boy. Sure Maggie had been irresponsible, but it was hard for Jo to understand some people’s priorities.
“I accept I was irresponsible with the dog. And school. I’m very sorry for that.” Maggie’s eyes darted to Jo as her chin wobbled. She sniffed, shifting her gaze back to her parents. “I broke up with Chaos.”
Mr. Pope mumbled something that sounded an awful lot like Thank God.
“Good. You deserve better, Mags.” Her mother stood up from the table, looking around at her family. “Obviously I’ll have to call Dr. Rosen-Vetter and see if she can fit us in for an emergency session. You know Dr. RV’s motto: The family that meditates together, stays together.”
Pope and Maggie wore identical pained expressions.
“Hey, it’s a captive audience, Maggie.” Chloe stood and wrapped an arm around her sister. “Dad and Kitty will have to listen to you. Isn’t that right, Dad?”
“It is,” Pope grumbled. “There’s no money in the arts, Margaret.”
“Oh, that reminds me, Ms. Joyner; you’re a beautiful dancer. We pay good money to see dancing like that at the Belk Theater in Charlotte.” Kitty gave a tight smile, then nodded to her husband. “Helmut, let’s go.”
Pope stood and watched his wife and daughters leave the room, his hand gripping the handle of his briefcase until his knuckles turned white. He pulled his shoulders back before turning his eyes to Jo. “I honestly thought she was just an out-of-control teenager needing discipline and a goal. So I tried to give her both. It seems I was wrong. My apologies, Ms. Joyner.”
“Accepted. I’ve never been a parent, so I try to keep an open mind, but I also have to stand up for my students when they need it.” She tilted up her chin, looking at him, letting him know she’d do it again if she had to. “Also, I’m keeping the dog this time.”
Pope’s face flinched with guilt, but he nodded once in agreement.
“How about I draw up a transfer of owner contract?” Paxton offered. “You know, keep it all legal and permanent.”
“Of course. Paxton, you may not believe this, but I admire what you did here today.” Pope walked toward him until he stood only a few feet away. “The way you stood up for what you knew to be right, even though it was a risk . . . that’s exactly the kind of lawyer our clients need at Clark, Hinders, and Pope. I hope you’ll forgive me for making an overprotective parent’s mistake. I’m extending you an offer of partnership. Come by my office on Monday and we can discuss it.”
Jo couldn’t have been more ecstatic over the outcome of the meeting. Not simply that her principal had backed her up but also the way her fellow teachers were happy to embrace the new Jo. To be fair, it had never been about them. It had always been her all along.
But that happiness was tempered by the pesky little fissure in her heart, cracking wide open right now. Not that she wasn’t happy for Paxton. She was. He’d worked hard and had earned the partnership, a big step toward his ultimate goal. But picturing him heading off to Charlotte and Chloe made her heart feel like her mama’s old pincushion.
Paxton merely nodded.
“Mr. Pope, let me walk you out.” Dr. Meyer winked once at Jo and then ushered Pope from the room.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Myrna and the other teachers actually applauded and gave her high fives, along with big congratulatory hugs.
“Wow, Jolene. Good on you for being there for your students, but mostly, you’re an absolutely beautiful dancer. I’m still a bit stunned,” Fran said. “Just FYI, Dr. Meyer wasn’t kidding about you helping with the dance team. That’s a done deal. I’ll email you the forms, and we aren’t taking no for an answer.”
They walked en masse from the room, through the front office, and out of the building. Everyone headed out to the parking lot and back to their regularly scheduled summer break.
Jo saw Paxton’s car parked next to hers, which explained why he was still walking by her side.
“So an offer of partner, Paxton. That’s so great.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. It’s the Holy Grail of a lawyer, that’s for sure.”
She felt overwhelmed by his help and not sure words could convey her gratitude. When they stood between their two cars, she finally attempted it anyway.
“I can’t thank you enough, Paxton. I know that was a huge risk for you.” Looking up into his face, she couldn’t get a read on him because he’d slipped on his sunglasses. “I mean, for a few minutes there, you were as good as fired on account of me. I never would have thought to bring Maggie in.”
“That’s why you pay me the big bucks.” His lips slipped into his cocky smile, the one that used to drive her to madness, but now—not so much.
“I do want to pay you. You wouldn’t let me before. How much do I owe you?”
Paxton tilted his sunglasses down, looking at her over the top, his eyes deep with some unnamed thought. “I’ll figure it out and get back to you. Just as soon as I take care of a few things.”
“Oh, okay.” She fumbled in her purse for her keys, almost dropping them onto the hot pavement in her awkward rush. “I’ll see you around.”
“You will. You’ve got my dogs.” And then he got in his car and drove off while Jo stood staring after him.
Chapter Thirty-two
For Jo the next few days passed at a crawl. Painfully so. Every time she arrived home and was greeted by all three dogs, she was reminded that Paxton still hadn’t bothered to call or stop by. Of course he was busy; he’d just made partner. She sighed and told herself it was time to let go.
Between working at the bakery and tutoring, Jo managed to keep busy and keep her sanity. She was doing fine—until Tuesday, when she drove by Paxton’s office and saw the Brody Brothers’ Moving Company truck emptying out his office.
It wasn’t even a surprise, so it shouldn’t have jarred her like she’d hit a wall. In fact, Jo had been mentally preparing herself for it. Pope had said they’d meet on Monday to discuss the offer of partner, so of course that meant Paxton would move to the main office in Charlotte. She was happy for Paxton. His career was about to take off and he’d more than earned it.
The quiet ache in her chest told her it might take some time for the letting-go part. It hurt enough that she wondered if she would have been better off if she and Paxton had stayed enemies, circling Climax in separate orbits. But that would have been her loss because she’d loved getting to know him. She’d enjoyed every minute they’d spent together.
Okay, enough, Jojo. A little less tragic, unrequited love and a little more spunky, independent woman, if you please. And that was exactly what she did. Sure s
he might have changed her route to avoid going by Paxton’s office, but there was nothing wrong with not rubbing salt in her own wound.
Jo spent much of her free time with her parents. While her mother’s condition was holding steady, they all knew they were snatching time while they could. Each lucid hour was a gift. One day, her mother said she wanted to see Jo dance. The quickest way for that to happen was for Jo to perform at the Library again, something she had decided against repeating.
But she did it for her mother. And for herself. One last performance. It felt amazing and of course they all cried. Her mom, Georgie, and even her dad. It patched up the final tender spot on the heart of the young girl who’d given up dance for her mother’s sake. Luckily, as the new Climax High School dance team coach, dance would be a part of her life again.
She was managing without Paxton. It wasn’t fun and it wasn’t painless, but time would surely help. At least that was what she told herself to get through each day. She didn’t work weekends, so on Saturday she spent the day at her parents’ house. Jo had found a support group for primary caregivers and kept her mother company so her father could attend. He may not need it yet, but Jo wanted him to already have that support in place before it became essential. And the doctor had said it would.
Jo had brought the calmest of her three dogs with her because her mother found comfort in petting him. They listened to old records and sat in the sunshine on the porch, watching the hummingbirds visit the feeders her dad had hung everywhere. Her mother didn’t recognize her today, but Jo had slowly arrived at the place where she simply loved and connected with the woman in front of her.
When her dad got home three hours later, looking recharged, they grilled burgers for an early dinner. They were finishing up with some of Georgie’s lemon scones and coffee when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it, Daddy. Y’all keep eating.” Jo scooped up the barking puppy and opened the door. “Paxton. What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Jojo. It’s great to see you too.” His crooked smile was almost too sexy to look at. Almost.
“Hey, buster,” Jo hissed, then put the puppy down and stepped out onto the porch, pushing the screen door closed behind her. “Excuse me if I’m taken by surprise, but I haven’t heard a peep from you in a week. So I don’t appreciate the sarcasm.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for a lot of things. Do you have a few minutes to talk?” Oh, he worked those hot, green eyes of his.
Delaying this talk wouldn’t make it hurt any less. Come on, Jo. Be mature about this. He didn’t promise you anything. “Sure. I have time. So, um, congratulations on making partner.”
“Thank you.” His gaze intensified until it was impossible for Jo to look away. “I turned it down. Submitted my letter of resignation on Monday.”
“What? No.” Jo pushed a palm hard against his chest and didn’t budge him a millimeter. “Go get your letter back.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because it’s a big accomplishment. Because it’s a huge step toward your ultimate goal. Because I don’t want to be the reason why you didn’t achieve your dream.”
“Oh, Jolene Jolene, that couldn’t be further from the truth.” His eyes blazed down on her, an odd look in his eyes that took her breath away.
She stepped back, only he followed her, stepping into her space again. Looking up into his face, her heart fluttered at the intensity in his gaze.
“Tell me you didn’t think we were done.”
“Well, I . . .”
He threaded his hands into her hair and kissed her. A hot, searing, wild kiss that made her stomach clench and her heart race. “Does that feel anywhere near done to you?”
“Not even close,” she whispered.
“Besides, you’ve still got my dogs.” He wound a fat teal-tipped curl around his finger. “You changed your hair again. You’re killing me with this hair.”
“You don’t like it?” she asked breathlessly.
“I love it.” Paxton took her by the hand and led her over to sit on the swing. “I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I wanted to get everything wrapped up at the firm. A clean break.”
“I don’t understand. I saw you move out of your office.” She pulled her hand from his, not wanting him to feel it shaking. He didn’t have to know how much that sight had upset her. “I figured you were already set up in Charlotte.”
He took her hand back and squeezed it lightly until she looked up at him. “I did move out of my office, but only because the rent is too high for a fledgling solo practice. I’m renting Judge Smith’s old office space above McCrimmon’s Drug Store. You’re looking at Paxton Cates, PLLC, Attorney at Law.”
“But what about the partnership? What about your goal to become a judge?” She shifted her eyes back and forth over his face, searching for some clue to what was going on. “Please tell me getting involved with me didn’t interfere with your plans.”
“Oh, Jojo, getting involved with you changed everything.”
Her eyes burned, her throat closed up, and Paxton’s face went blurry. “I’m sorry. I’m so s—”
He placed a finger on her lips. “Please don’t cry, Jo. Everything changed in the best of ways.”
“Oh, thank God. I would have hated to have been the reason you missed out on—I mean, that’s the whole reason I bro—the reason I . . .” No, she didn’t want to bring that up.
He frowned and tilted his head, as if trying to puzzle something out.
“So what changed?” She had to nudge him to get him talking again.
“The whole goal of becoming a judge was to help people, and a very wise man recently reminded me there are many ways to do that.”
“You don’t think you’ll miss the high-powered firm?”
“All I ever wanted was to make a difference, like my uncle, and it turns out I’m already doing that right here.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pushed the swing into gentle motion with his foot. “I love this town, and I like the idea of being a vital part of it. I like knowing I can help people I’ve known my whole life with their everyday problems. Managing businesses, resolving civil disputes, helping with wills and estate planning.”
Jo leaned her head back against his arm to see his face. “There’s not a lot of money in being a small-town lawyer.”
“Then it’s a good thing I was never in it for the money.” He grinned his lopsided, cocky grin at her. “In the past few months I’ve had clients pay with credit cards, cash, four jars of award-winning pickles, baked goods, an IOU to help fix my fence, plus one lint-covered root beer barrel and a Pokémon card.”
A root beer barrel and a Pokémon card? She squinted up at him. “Are you being sarcastic?”
“Hell no. I fucking love it. Damn, that reminds me . . . I brought our contract.” Paxton reached into his back pocket and took out the sheets of folded-up paper. He winked at her and ripped the papers in half and then in half again. “Thank you, but I no longer need you for my fake girlfriend.”
“Well . . . good.” She turned her face forward and nodded, ignoring the deflated feeling in her chest.
Paxton turned her face toward him, his hand warm and strong along her jawline. “I was hoping we could make it real. You know, dating. . . exclusively . . . and everything that entails. Laughing, spending time together, traveling, dog napping. I’m up for about anything if I can do it with you. I want to get to know your parents. Any of that . . . sound like something you’d want?”
Heck yes, she did. But she bit her lip, remembering one of her big worries. “I can’t be the prim and proper Jo with the perfect reputation anymore.”
“Fine with me because that’s not the one I want,” Paxton said. “I want the Jo with the luna moth hair. The one who goes skinny-dipping and has sex in the backseat of a car. The one who’s willing to talk back to pushy parents trying to snuff out their children’s dreams.”
She was pretty sure that Jo’s lungs had stop
ped working.
“The one who walked away, thinking she was securing my happiness, even though that was the dumbest idea ever.” He leaned forward, pressing his lips to her temple. “Fucking sweet but very wrong.”
Happiness burst in Jo’s chest like fireworks.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m going to want to have hot, inappropriate sex with the prim and proper English teacher sometimes, but other than that, I’m pretty much head over heels with impulsive, live-in-the-moment Jo. I’ll take that every day.”
She sat frozen, afraid for a second she was dreaming. How else could Paxton be saying everything she’d yearned to hear?
“I love you, Jo. I’ve never been as happy as when I’m with you.” Paxton leaned forward and kissed her. Soft, tentative, questioning. “So, I’ll ask the witness again . . . how does a real relationship sound to you?”
“Perfect.” Jolene threw herself at Paxton, wrapping her arms around his neck and sprinkling kisses all over his face. He finally had to wrap her hair around one of his hands to get her still enough to land a kiss on her lips.
His kiss seared like a brand and held the promise of passion so wild it might just take forever to express it all. When they both ran out of breath, he eased away, his eyes so filled with love she didn’t know where to put it all.
She sighed. “I have a confession.”
“Tell me.”
“I love you, Paxton Cates.”
“Well, I was hoping . . .” His lips slid into a smile, flashing the dimple in his cheek that she could now admit made her weak at the knees.
“That wasn’t it. My confession is I think I started falling in love when you cut off my ponytail.”
His face went serious and he nodded. “Five-year-old me is looking like a genius now.”