Spring Into Love

by Chantel Rhondeau

  “You made a difference in California, too,” Jake said, causing her to laugh.

  “It’s nice of you to say, but it’s not the same kind of difference. Why all the questions, anyway? You’ve been here two months,” she said. “Surely you’ve picked up on some of the virtues of Grande Valley.”

  Jake nodded as he considered that. “Yes, I know there are some great restaurants, along with quite a bit of violence on the border. As much as I love food, it’s not quite enough to sell me on the town to the point of wanting to live here,” he said. “The fact that you’re here does push it up a notch, though.”

  “Wait, what? Live here? In Grande Valley?”

  Jake enjoyed watching Jordan’s face as she tried to keep up with what he said, which he knew wasn’t making much sense. “Yeah. What do you think?”

  “You’re not giving up your career for me.” Jordan shook her head. “I won’t let you.”

  That’s more like it. “No, of course not. I don’t mean give it up. I mean live here part of the time, when I’m not on location,” Jake said. “I’m still going to Saint Lucia, and Vancouver next spring, and I’d still like you to come with me, at least part of the time, schedule permitting. I mean, you do take vacations, right?”

  “Actually, I haven’t in a couple years,” Jordan said. “I’ve been thinking that needs to change, and I’ve always wanted to see the Caribbean. And Vancouver is supposed to be lovely.”

  “I hear that, too.” He looked forward to the shoot, and even more so if Jordan would be there at least part of the time.

  “And you really think you can swing living in Grande Valley part of the time?”

  “I think so, yeah,” Jake said. “My agent doesn’t see it as a problem.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out.” Jordan sounded less sure.

  “Not everything, but I’m working on it,” Jake said. “I’ll still have to be in California sometimes and—”

  “And you want me to come with you.” There was no mistaking the doubt and fear that flashed in her eyes.

  “I know that scares you, and I know why. But honey, there are risks everywhere.” Including Grande Valley, but he didn’t want to remind her of that. “I happen to think you’re strong enough to handle it.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Jake wasn’t sure how to take that statement, but at least it wasn’t an outright no. “You don’t have to commit to anything now. Just say you’ll at least think about it.”

  After a few seconds, Jordan nodded. “I’ve actually been thinking more lately about my life in California, and maybe it’s the benefit of time and distance, but I’m realizing it wasn’t all bad,” she said softly. “I’m not ready to get on a plane tomorrow, but I can promise to think about it.”

  Compared to where they’d been a few days ago, Jake viewed it as major victory and he knew took a great deal of courage for Jordan to give him that promise. For now, he wouldn’t push or ask for me, instead trusting she would get there on her own time.

  Chapter 28

  It was the end of the line for Trey Lozano, but it apparently hadn’t sunk in yet. “You can get me out of this, right?” he asked Jordan.

  She wondered, perhaps, if her ardent defense of the troubled young man had given him false hope that his attorney could always save the day for him. If so, Jordan hadn’t done her client any favors at all. “They have it on video, Trey. You watched the DVD. It’s impossible to spin that as anything other than it is, and you’re already on probation,” she said.

  “So I get probation again. C’mon, Jordan, you’re the best. Make it happen.”

  Jordan shook her head. “I’m good, yes, but I’m not a magician.”

  “But there are... what’s that word you used last time?” Trey paused, apparently searching for the right one. “Extrenuous circumstances or something like that?”

  “Extenuating circumstances,” Jordan supplied.

  “That’s it!” Trey’s face lit up. “Use that argument. It worked last time. My mom’s dying. I’m trying to get my aunt over here before she runs out of time.” His voice turned somber as he talked about his family, and now Jordan cynically wondered how much of it was simply an act. “Those guys asked me to help them, and they paid me five grand. Do you know how much money that is to a maquiladora worker in Mexico?”

  Damn it. He could still appeal to the bleeding-heart liberal side of her when he mentioned the dying mom and her sister trapped in poverty, toiling in poor conditions in a Mexican factory. In spite of that, Jordan knew it was time to give her client a reality check. “I’ve got something important to say to you, and you need to listen.”

  When he nodded, Jordan continued, “I’m sorry your mom is dying and that your family is poor. Really sorry. It doesn’t give you an excuse to break the law, though, even if you’re doing it to get some quick cash for your family.” She thought about what Beth had said to her a few days ago when Jordan explained why she had sympathy for Trey. “I know a little about that because my mom was sick for a long time before she died, and I did everything I could to take care of her. Somebody had to, and I was the only one around.” Jordan blinked fast. It had been four and a half years since she buried her mother, and the grief still resurfaced at odd times. She wondered if it was because she fled California so soon after Jaclyn’s passing and never looked back. Well, if Jake gets his way, that’ll change soon enough.

  “Big difference, though. I never robbed a convenience store. I never accepted money to commit a felony. ” Jordan studied Trey’s expression and wondered if she was getting through to him. “I went out and worked for it.”

  “It’s different for people like you,” Trey insisted.

  “Why? Because I’m blonde?” It wasn’t the first time Jordan had that claim leveled against her, and it never stopped annoying her. “You ever heard of Pacoima, California?”

  “Around Los Angeles, right?” Trey’s expression was bored.

  “That’s right. San Fernando Valley,” Jordan said. “That’s where I’m from, and let me tell you, it’s not a good place to be blonde.”

  “Oh,” Trey said.

  “Let me guess, you were expecting Beverly Hills?” Trey’s sudden fascination with the pen holder oh her desk conformed Jordan’s suspicions. “That’s okay. You wouldn’t be the first.” She looked down at the designer suit she wore. “I have expensive taste and an appreciation for the finer things in life. I don’t apologize for that, because I worked for everything I have. I got scholarships, I got loans, and I worked. You should try it sometime.”

  “I have a job,” Trey protested.

  “On a movie that wraps filming the day after tomorrow,” Jordan reminded him. Great, now I sound like his probation officer. She didn’t add that Jake was mainly responsible for Trey getting the job, or that he’d done it to impress her.

  “So I’ll find another one.”

  “That’s what I like to hear, but it won’t happen if you’re in prison, which is where you’re headed if something doesn’t change fast.” She’d been soft with him for too long. It was time to employ the tough-love approach. “Now why don’t you tell me who these guys are, and why they paid you five grand to help them, and let’s see if I can pull another rabbit out of a hat for you.”

  ***

  Jake scheduled one last meeting with Joe Camacho before filming officially wrapped, but this time it wasn’t to learn more about his role. He wanted to thank the Border Patrol agent for his help and expertise. “I really do appreciate the opportunity,” he said. “And I think this movie will be better as a result.” He certainly knew his performance would be better.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Camacho said. “Initially, I wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but like I said at the beginning, our agency has an interest in how it’s portrayed in the film. I may not end up liking the movie, but I definitely gained some respect for you and the way you approach your craft.”

  Jake smiled at the compliment. “T
hanks. Success has been a long time coming for me, so I don’t want to take things for granted.”

  “Good for you.” Camacho nodded. “What about that kid we hauled in a few weeks ago? You said you knew him, and I know you left that night. I hope there aren’t any hard feelings.”

  “No.” Jake waved a hand in the air. “He worked on our film set. It caught me off guard to see him brought in that night, but to be fair, I don’t really know him very well.” As it turned out, maybe Jordan didn’t either. Jake knew she was still coming to grips with that realization herself. “He has a great lawyer and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I know you were only doing your job. No hard feelings.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  Jake stood up and shook his hand. “Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. If you ever make it back to Grande Valley, look me up.”

  “I might do that.” Jake laughed. “Maybe sooner than you think. It turns out I’ll be spending more time here than I originally thought.”

  ***

  Beth stared at Jordan with a combination of surprise and disbelief. “Are you telling me your client is interested in turning state’s evidence?”

  “That’s correct,” Jordan said. It was the best option for Trey—his only option, really, if he hoped to avoid a lengthy trial and even lengthier prison sentence—and she’d finally managed to get him to see it that way. “I took the liberty of talking to Josh Weber in the United States Attorney’s Office. I understand he used to work with you here?”

  “That’s right. It’s been a few years. What did you talk to him about?” Beth asked casually.

  “I think you already know,” Jordan said. You’re just keeping things close to the vest in case I’m blowing smoke out my ass. “But fine, we can play that way. I’ll tell you what I know. This goes beyond Grande Valley. There was a similar incident down in Hudspeth County a few weeks ago, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating. It involves the other co-defendants from your case, and a third suspect, whose identity is unknown, but who is clearly not Trey Lozano. This proves he’s not the mastermind. Mr. Weber believes that it is the other two men who spearhead the operation, which may spread all the way to Presidio. They recruit other individuals, usually in desperate need of some cash, to assist them. They’re the ones that you really want.”

  “You’ve done your homework.” Beth’s expression remained impassive, but her words led Jordan to believe she was right, and could make a deal.

  “That shouldn’t surprise you, given that we used to be in a study group together,” Jordan said dryly. “You’ve already said Judge Benson personally lobbied for the case because he sees it as a good issue leading up to the election.” She stopped short of implying Beth’s own re-election campaign would take a definite boost from successfully closing the case. “You need my client’s testimony to really shut this thing down. Am I right?”

  After a few seconds, Beth nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Let’s talk. Assuming your client does, indeed, have evidence that will assist my office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in ending this ring, what are you looking for in return?”

  “Full immunity from prosecution,” Jordan said with a straight face. “You dismiss the new charges for enabling and inducing illegal immigration and you agree not to revoke Trey’s probation on the robbery charge.”

  Raucous laughter filled the room. “Excuse me,” Beth said once she recovered. “Did you really just say you wanted full immunity from prosecution?”

  “I did.”

  Beth turned and pointed at the calendar on the wall behind her desk. “What month does that say it is?”

  “September,” Jordan said. “I fail to see—”

  “It’s not Christmas, and I’m not Santa Claus,” Beth interrupted tersely. “Try again, counselor.”

  Jordan knew the request was a long shot but didn’t expect such a hostile reaction. Since she didn’t want to risk being laughed out of the office before a deal got done, she decided to counter with something more reasonable. “He pleads to a third-degree felony. Two year sentence, fully suspended, concurrent with the case he’s on probation for.”

  “Better, but no,” Beth said. “Five year sentence, suspended except for one year served in a halfway house. Conditions are that he has to maintain full-time employment or be enrolled in school and actively working toward a degree. Consecutive to the other case.”

  “Concurrent,” Jordan tried again. She didn’t want to budge on that. If both sentences were stacked on top of each other, Trey faced ten years if he messed up again.

  “The only way I’ll agree to run them concurrent is if he spends two years in the halfway house.” Beth leaned forward. “I know you like this kid, Jordan, and you’re trying to help him. I’m actually doing that, too. Two years gives him structure, maybe time to complete an educational program. He could actually make something of himself,” she said. “Final offer.”

  It was fair, Jordan realized, and Beth was right about the structure of the halfway house. It could turn out to be exactly what Trey needed. “I’ll discuss it with him and get back to you by tomorrow.”

  “The offer, of course, is contingent on your client actually providing useful information. I’ll need to talk with him before we finalize the plea to make.”

  “Absolutely.” Jordan stood and picked up her briefcase. “Pleasure doing business with you, counselor.”

  “Likewise. I always figure a good negotiation is one in which both parties leave happy. It’s all about compromise,” Beth said. “And Jordan?”

  She paused in the doorway. “Yes?”

  “I know I’ve given you crap about being a bleeding heart and caring too much about your client, but you’re very good at what you do. The defense bar would lose a tremendous asset if you left here for good.”

  Jordan smiled. “Don’t worry. That’s not happening. Like you said, it’s all about compromise.” It seemed to be the theme of her life lately.

  ***

  The Border Cowboys wrap party took place in the hotel ballroom. Jake paced nervously outside, waiting for Jordan to arrive. When she finally did, looking splendid in red, he gulped in a breath. “You’re stunning.” He greeted her with a kiss. “You’re going to show everyone else up.”

  “Such a charmer.” Jordan laughed as she linked her hand through his. “Sorry to keep you waiting. My last meeting took a little longer than expected.”

  “No problem. I’m just glad you’re here.” This party might be of a smaller scale than the ones he would have to attend in Hollywood to mark the movie’s release, but he knew it took a lot of courage for Jordan to agree to accompany him. It left him feeling hopeful she would be able to quash her fears about returning to California. “You ready to do this?” He squeezed her hand in encouragement.

  “Absolutely.”

  Once inside the ballroom, they were immediately met by a uniformed waiter carrying a tray. “Champagne?”

  “No thanks,” Jordan said without hesitation. “I’ll just have a glass of club soda.”

  “Certainly, miss.” The waiter nodded and pointed in the direction of the bar.

  Jake took a flute of champagne from the tray before they headed over to it. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “Not bad at all,” Jordan said. “It helps that you’re here.”

  “And I’m not going anywhere,” Jake promised. “Come on, let’s get you that drink, then I’ll introduce you to Reece and a few of the cast. After that, we can leave whenever you want.” That was their deal. She would accompany him to the cast party and meet the people he wanted her to meet, but when Jordan was ready to leave, Jake wouldn’t pressure her to stay.

  It turned out not to be a problem. They mingled with Jake’s co-stars and engaged in small talk with the directing team. Jordan even ended up in a debate with Reece over which local restaurant served the best chili con queso.

  “Do you ever back down from an argument?” Jake teased when they
were alone again.

  “Plenty of times, but on that one I was right.” Jordan grinned. “He may very well take home an Oscar next year, but he doesn’t know his chili con queso.”

  “If you say so.” Jake chuckled. “If this place is so great, why haven’t we been there yet?”

  “I figured I’d save it for when we get back from Saint Lucia,” Jordan said. “We have time, right?”

  It warmed Jake’s heart to hear her talk about them having a future together. “Plenty of it.” He brushed a kiss over her lips. “And I can’t wait. In the meantime, what do you say we ditch this party and go upstairs and have one of our own.”

  “You aren’t subtle, that’s for sure.” Jordan jabbed him in the arm. “Are you going to try to stall the elevator again?”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “Hell, yes!”

  Chapter 29

  Judge Benson banged his gavel with authority, signaling the end of Trey’s plea and sentencing hearing.

  “You saved me again, Jordan.” Trey said. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “You can thank me by never ending up back in a courtroom.” Jordan found herself a little troubled by his remark that she’d saved him again, wondering if any of her lectures had paid off. “If you do, the outcome won’t be nearly as kind.” It also wouldn’t be her problem. She’d done everything she could to help him. If Trey couldn’t take advantage of this chance, it wouldn’t be because his attorney failed him.

  He’d had to move his mom into a nursing facility since he was going into the halfway house, and she knew it was difficult for him. It was a better alternative than prison, though, and Jordan was pleased he seemed to realize it. “I can do it this time,” Trey said, and Jordan wanted to believe him. “I got signed up for a film class at the community college.”

  “That sounds great.” Maybe some good had come of him working on the movie set, even if it hadn’t managed to keep him out of trouble. “I’m glad you found something that interests you.”