No sooner had she gotten in than her cell rang. It was her co-counsel. “Hey, Richard.”
“Are you free to come in for a few hours?”
She inwardly groaned even though she understood that the outcome of the trial would be big for the firm if they won. “Sure. I’ve been out on the slopes. Let me shower and I’ll come right over.”
“Thanks.”
So much for lying in bed, dreaming of Cal and Jake, but duty called. She showered quickly, put on warm clothes, and headed over to work. She prayed she could keep her mind on Anna Witcolm and not on having had two glorious cocks in her at the same time.
* * * *
Over the next few weeks, Cal really tried to keep his comments to himself about Jake dropping the ball, but it had been damned hard. As soon as they’d gotten home from their amazing adventure, he’d updated the website for the tours. Jake had set up one for June, and that was all. If you want to get something done right do it yourself. That old saying totally applied here.
He must have spent four hours on the phone trying to get two competent guides to lead the middle-of-May trip, which was only a few weeks away. He’d used up every contact he had and ended up paying double the normal rate to lure two men away from other opportunities. Even if he’d asked Jake to head up the trip, he wasn’t convinced his brother would have pulled through. Worst case, he could be one of the guides as he’d always kept his wilderness certification current.
The biggest issue now was getting people to sign up. Their main competitor was Trapper Bill’s Outfitters. Not only did they have a much better gun display, they specialized in tours.
Damn. This delay would cost them valuable advertising dollars, but unless he spent the money, there wouldn’t be enough people to sign up for the tour. As it was, he had to offer a lower rate than Trapper Bill’s to be competitive.
Jake came into the store around five the next day and didn’t even glance his way. He headed to the ski simulator and went to work talking to the customers. If his brother wasn’t such a natural with people, Cal would have disowned him years ago.
What he wouldn’t give to drive over to Lana’s and snuggle in bed with her. She had to be the most amazing woman he’d ever met, but right now he wasn’t sure he wanted to subject her to being with Jake. His brother would eventually disappoint her just as surely as he’d disappointed him.
So as not to cause a rift between them, he sucked it up and tried to figure out a way to make the adventure trip portion of their business a success. Sure, he could hire someone to take over running all of the trips, which would cost a mint, but there was no guarantee it would succeed. Von North hadn’t been with the company long enough to take over the job of heading up the tours. Besides, his experience was too limited.
Unfortunately, his brother was too perfect. He could do everything. Every comment Cal had received after a Jake-led trip had been spectacular. Damn. Why couldn’t his brother see his own potential and get his act together? The man was thirty-one for God’s sake. He needed to grow up.
About ten minutes before closing, Jake trotted over and placed a piece of paper on the counter. “I got the Andersons to sign up their whole family to go on the May hiking trip.”
Cal’s pulse rose. He checked the names. “Shit. That’s seven people.” They’d done trips with only four before. He looked up and smiled. “Good job.”
He shrugged. “It’s all in the presentation.”
Cal wanted to comment that his presentation needed more consistency, but they’d broach that topic later. “You are leading the June white-water rafting trip, right?” He held his breath.
“Sure. No problem, unless Craig can get the time off. He, Winston, and I wanted to do a skydiving trip.” He held up a hand. “It’s for the good of the store. We’ll be learning to jump with paratroopers. They’re giving a four-day class in learning about formations.”
Cal was a big proponent of increasing one’s knowledge base, but the timing sucked. “Hope it works out.”
Jake grinned and nodded to the register. “After we close, will you need my help?”
“I’ve got it covered. You can head home.”
“Thanks!”
Just when he wanted to have it out with Jake, he did something good, but this on-and-off-again behavior had to stop.
* * * *
Lana was totally exhausted from the long days in the courtroom and the powwow sessions during the evening. At least her cooking chores became nonexistent. The team ate out almost every night.
After two and a half weeks, the defense was finishing up.
Richard unbuttoned his suit jacket and leaned back in his seat. “So what are our chances?”
She glanced between him and Brad. “It could swing either way. I can’t quite get a read on the jury.” She’d suggested putting Anna on the stand from the beginning, but her co-counsels weren’t buying it. “You know my opinion.”
Brad straightened. “Maybe Lana’s right. Let’s put Anna on the stand.”
Her heart pumped faster. Please agree. Richard inhaled a long breath then blew it out. “Okay.”
Yes! “I know she’ll be great.”
“You want to lead her through the questions?”
This would be her big chance to show them she could win a case. “Yes.”
“Let’s do it.”
Now that she’d actually taken the chance, she had to succeed. She didn’t even get home until eleven, having spent hours doing more research in their law library. The worst part was that she missed her Thursday-night girls’ night out. Hell, she’d missed the last three ones. Selena said Casey had joined them. Damn. While this job had its own thrills, she loved connecting with her friends. Apparently, Selena had reconnected with Sam and Andrew Johnson, and Lana was dying to know how that was working out.
If it hadn’t been so late, she would have called the Martin house. Since Cal got up early to go to the store and it was Jake’s day to be on ski patrol, she didn’t want to disturb them. She washed her face, undressed, and dropped into bed instead of calling.
The next morning came all too quickly. Since she’d be leading the questioning, she put on her most conservative suit. It was a gray tweed with a light-peach blouse. Add in low heels and she looked way too much like her mother, but perhaps that was the point.
After two cups of coffee, she inhaled and got on her way.
As she entered the courtroom, Richard and Brad walked alongside her, presenting a united front. The air seemed more tense than usual, perhaps because the case was coming to a close. Once they led Anna in, Lana tried to reassure her that this was her chance to tell her side of the story. It was what Anna had wanted all along.
When the bailiff swore in the prisoner, Lana started out asking simple questions about Anna’s children, and that seemed to calm her. The jury had already seen all of the hospital photos and X-rays of Anna’s injuries. Even the prosecutor couldn’t refute that the woman had been beaten. They claimed someone other than Ross Witcolm had inflicted the injuries, though they never came up with a name.
Speaking slowly, Lana walked Anna through the night of the murder. “Tell us in your own words what happened.”
Anna’s hands were shaking and her eyes watered, but she sat up straight and, with more guts than Lana would ever have, told her side of the story. When Lana thought she’d finished, Anna hiccupped and then inhaled. “I loved Ross at first. He’d threatened me a lot, but this time I knew he was serious.”
“Why did you think this time he’d actually kill you?”
“I happened to open the trunk of our car and I saw a rifle. Ross never hunted.”
Those in the courtroom whispered.
Upon searching the house, the cops had discovered the weapon. “Then what happened, Mrs. Witcolm?”
“I asked him about the gun. I knew he was planning on doing something terrible. That’s when he said that when I least expected it, he’d kill me. That I’d be walking down the street and he’d be on some
rooftop and take aim.” She slapped a hand on her chest. “He would have, he would have.” Tears streamed down her cheeks and she nearly choked out a cough.
Lana waited for Anna to compose herself. The judge motioned she give Anna some tissues.
Here it comes. Lana had to ask the question she knew the prosecutor wouldn’t want to. “If your husband never hunted, why did you think he’d even be able to hit a target that far away?”
“Because he’d been a sniper in the service.”
As hoped, the noise in the courtroom caused the judge to bang his gavel. She worked hard to not pump her fist. Surely, the prosecutors were inwardly groaning.
“Then what?”
“He got so mad that he charged at me. I couldn’t take another beating. His revolver was just sitting on the dresser. I turned around and picked it up.”
“Didn’t he try to stop you?”
“Yes. Before I could aim, he grabbed the barrel of the gun. I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger.”
The autopsy proved that Ross had been shot at very close range and that he’d had gunshot residue on his fingers.
“Thank you, Mrs. Witcolm.” She winked to let her know that she’d done a wonderful job.
After Lana sat back down, the prosecutor cross-examined, but they never tripped up Anna.
Brad would deliver the closing argument, so her job was done. Jake was right. The adrenaline rush was probably like jumping off a cliff. If they won, she’d have to celebrate with Cal and Jake in style.
After this marathon, she bet no one would mind if she took her final week of vacation right away. She’d thought long and hard about where she’d like to go.
Vegas, here we come!
Chapter Twelve
Lana, Richard, and Brad toasted their coffee mugs when the senior partners came in to congratulate them on the win. Anna Witcolm had a long way to go emotionally, but with help, Lana hoped she’d find some hope in her life. The jury didn’t take long to deliberate, which had been a good sign.
Lana had asked her boss if she could take her last week of vacation in the near future.
“I don’t see why not.”
“If you need me, I’m just a phone call away.” There was no guarantee she’d answer the call if she were tangled in the sheets, however.
Tonight she planned on asking Jake and Cal over to see if they’d be up for a trip to Las Vegas. How much fun would that be?
For the rest of the day, she got all of her other work in order. She couldn’t leave tomorrow for Vegas because it would take time for Cal to find someone to cover the store, and Jake hopefully would be in the midst of working on the May hiking excursion. Once they finalized their plans, she’d make the reservations.
The time seemed to slow the closer it got to five. She’d called Cal and he said he wasn’t sure where Jake was, but he’d tried to reach him.
“Is 7:00 p.m. good for you?” That would give her time to shop, change, and make something simple like lasagna and a salad.
“We can go out to dinner if you don’t want to cook. I know how busy you’ve been.”
Leave it to Cal to be super considerate. “I’m good.”
“I can’t wait.”
If the men came to her house, after dinner they’d lounge around, perhaps play a game of dominos that she’d forgotten to return to Jake, and then maybe conveniently find their way to the bedroom. That would be after they spent time deciding on when they wanted to go to Vegas.
She finally was able to say her good-byes and rushed out to the grocery store. Since she had almost nothing in the way of staples, she purchased everything fresh. Had she had more time, she would have stopped at Miss Melanie’s Spirit Emporium. Some of those naughty toys in the back of the store had always intrigued her. Maybe next time she’d be adventurous.
Once home, she spent forty-five minutes making the lasagna, tossing the salad, and chopping the vegetables that she’d place in a steamer. With thirty minutes to spare, she rushed into the bathroom to shower. She shouldn’t be nervous, but asking the men to go with her on a vacation would be a big step for them. The biggest unknown would be if Jake would be willing to plan that much in advance.
Stop worrying.
She put on her new, black lingerie set, because to her it made her look the thinnest. She chose her tightest top to go over her straight-legged jeans. Since her feet might be cold, she wore socks but decided to go bootless to achieve the casual look.
She finished dressing at 6:50 p.m. and spent the next few minutes setting the table. At the last minute she lit candles. “Perfect.”
Right on time, the doorbell rang. She rushed to answer it. When she saw that only Cal was there, she tried not to let the disappointment show.
“Hey, come in.”
He had a bottle of wine in his hand and a bouquet of flowers. “This isn’t much, but I wanted to let you know how much I’ve missed you.”
Her heart melted. “Aw. That’s so sweet.” She took the flowers. “I’ll get a vase. Just put the wine on the table.”
After she filled the vase with water, she returned to the living room with what would be her centerpiece. “Is Jake coming soon?”
“I’m hoping. I left him a voice message and two text messages.”
“Has everything been okay between you?”
He shrugged. “Jake is being Jake.”
That was disappointing, but she didn’t want his non-appearance to ruin a perfectly good dinner. “Come here, you, and greet me properly.” She held open her arms.
Cal rushed over to her, twirled her around, and then planted a wonderful kiss on her eager lips. She hadn’t had any sensual contact for way too long and the mere pressing of his chest against her body made her swoon.
He led her over to the sofa. “I hear congratulations are in order. You got Anna Witcolm off.”
“Yes. My co-counsels didn’t want to put her on the stand, but I did. Finally, they saw reason. I think that was the key to our win.”
He leaned closer. “We’ll have to celebrate.”
“I’m always up for that.” She probably should wait for Jake to arrive, but she was too excited about her plan. “In fact I was thinking about how we might do just that in style. I thought maybe the three of us could go on a little vacation.”
“I like it.” He leaned back. “You have a destination in mind?”
“Vegas?”
For a second he almost looked like a deer in a headlight. Oh, shit. Did he think she was trying to hoodwink him into getting married at some roadside chapel? Given Jake’s wild ways, they were a long way off from that.
“Why Vegas?”
“I thought it would be fun, but you can pick any place. Given that Jake loves being outside, we could do some kind of adventure experience. We could maybe go camping.”
“Jake might like that, but May starts our busy season, and Jake is supposed to be setting up and possibly leading the tours.”
“Supposed to? He’s not working out very well?”
Before he got a chance to answer, a knock sounded at the door. Cal’s brows rose. It had to be Jake. If it was Selena, she’d have to ask her to come back tomorrow. Lana had big plans for the evening.
When she answered, Jake was there with a big grin on his face. “Sorry, I’m late.” He stepped in and gave her a huge hug and a kiss. “I’ve missed you.”
“I love to hear that.” The timer went off. “That’s dinner. Cal, would you mind pouring the wine?”
She took the lasagna out of the oven. As she was retrieving the salad, Jake came in to the kitchen. “Can I help?”
“How about putting the salad on the table?”
He lifted the bowl and brought it out. She put the veggies in a dish and placed it on the table. “Lasagna coming right up.”
This was like playing at being married. The idea appealed to her. Once the food was on the table, she told them to dig in.
For the first few minutes, all she could hear was crunching sounds. Cal
washed down his food with his wine.
“Lana wants us to go to Vegas on a vacation.”
“Oh, yeah? We flying out tomorrow morning or something?”
She laughed. “I’m never that spontaneous. Vegas was one of my options. I thought maybe we could discuss it after dinner.”
Jake polished off his glass in one gulp. “I might be busy.”
She hadn’t even told him the week yet. “Sure. I’m flexible. We’ll figure something out.”
The rest of the meal was somewhat strained. Suggesting going on a vacation was supposed to have been something fun to do. She forced herself to put on a happy face for the rest of dinner.
After they both helped her clear the dishes, they went back into the living room. She would have suggested they take a spin into the bedroom, but there was a strange vibe going on between the three of them. “I’m sensing some resistance here.” Neither one responded. It was as if they were waiting for the other one to say something.
Cal crossed his ankle over his knee. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s been too long since we spent time together.”
“Jake?” He was the one she suspected was the most hesitant.
“Sure.” He jumped up. “You two plan it out and let me know. Dinner was great.” He nodded at his brother. “Cal.”
Before she could stop him, he was out the door. Her heart dropped to her stomach. What had just happened? Her world just tumbled out of control.
* * * *
Jake’s lungs refused to inflate. He knew that walking out on Lana would hurt her, but she had to realize that he wasn’t ready to get married—at least not right now. Hell, he had years left before he needed to think about kids and stuff. Sure she was only asking him to go on a vacation, but he knew that led to them moving in together then being together permanently.
Her Colorado Dreams [Spirit, Colorado 1] Page 12