One Night With You
Page 24
When Emerson began his cross-examination, after his first question, Marks eyed him scornfully and said, “Man, if you’re going to be a lawyer for architects, learn something about architecture. That’s a ridiculous question.”
She hardly recognized Philip when he took the stand, for she hadn’t previously seen him dressed in business attire, and the effect was stunning.
“A level-four hurricane severely damaged my barns and stables, but only a few shingles came off the two-story dormitory that Reid designed,” Philip told the court. “He also served as engineer for the building which has eleven bachelor apartments, a recreation room, lounge, dining room and professional kitchen. The exterior resembles an elegant clubhouse. Reid Maguire doesn’t do shoddy work, not even when it comes to grooming a horse.”
When Reid strode to the witness stand, she’d never been so proud. What a gorgeous man! she said to herself. Dean Barker fed Reid questions guaranteed to make him shine, and shine he did.
“So you think a man like you can take on a prestigious firm like Brown and Worley, do you?” Emerson said to Reid as he began the cross-examination. That question means he knows he’s lost the case, Kendra said to herself, leaned back and crossed her knees.
A grin lit up Reid’s face. “That can’t be a serious question. They’re sloppy builders, and the court has as proof the sworn opinion of one of the best architectural examiners anywhere. Imagine leaks in a house completed less than six months earlier…” And so it went, as lawyer and witness showed their mutual antagonism.
The next morning, both sides summed up and the case went to the jury. Kendra didn’t go to court that day or the next for although she believed Barker had won the case, she’d learned never to second-guess a jury. At three-thirty on the second day of the jury’s deliberation, a banging on her front door startled her, and she peeped out of a second-floor window, saw Reid standing there and raced down the stairs. As she reached the door, fear gripped her, fear that he might have lost. When he banged again, she slipped the door chain, turned the lock and opened the door.
He picked her up, twirled her around and around and then, as if becoming suddenly sober, he set her on her feet, wrapped her in his arms and whispered, “We won. You and I. We won, baby. I have my reputation and six million, a million for each year. They’re probably too broke to pay it, because you stuck it to them when they lost to CFSL.
“Kendra, love of my life, it’s over. Let’s go down to the estate this weekend and celebrate.”
“Honey, we can celebrate right here. There’s no reason now why we can’t be seen together. Where are Philip and Arnold?”
“They went back right after Philip testified. Feel like making us some coffee?”
“And after you get your caffeine fix, we’ll toast this occasion with some wine,” she said. She made the coffee and gave it to him in a mug. “Did Philip tell you that he and Claudine are planning to get married?”
“He said he hoped they would marry by the time school opens. Did she tell him she’d marry him?”
“I guess so. She told me she’s planning to marry between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so Philip can relax. When Claudine makes up her mind, she records her decision in stone.”
He took several sips of coffee, put the cup down and asked her, “What about us? I’ve missed you terribly these past two weeks. That last night we were together poleaxed me. Kendra, I didn’t know I could be so happy.”
“You were not alone. I’d waited all my life for that evening, and—”
“I know. In a way, I’m glad it happened as it did, because we both had a chance to stand back and think about this relationship. And I like what I learned about you. Since you wear that robe at work, being pregnant shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”
“Being…what? What do you mean? I’m not pregnant.”
“I know, but don’t you want a family?”
“Yes, of course I do,” she said, her voice quavering.
“Then we’d better get started on that.” He stood, pushed the chair aside and knelt before her. “I love you with all my heart, and I’ll always put you and our children first in my life, before my work and before me. Will you marry me?” His eyes beseeched her.
She reached toward him with arms open, spread her knees and clasped him to her body. “Oh, yes. I will. I’ll be honored to be your wife, Reid Maguire.” She kissed the tears that clung to his lashes. “I love you so much.”
“I know,” he said. “You taught me the meaning of love.”
ISBN: 978-1-5525-4972-8
ONE NIGHT WITH YOU
Copyright © 2007 by Gwendolyn Johnson-Acsadi
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