For the Love of Summer

Chapter 22

Erica’s mid-sized SUV smelled of high-quality leather with a faint undertone of the perfume she sometimes wore. Allison perched uneasily on the passenger seat, aware of her too-tight blouse and worn maternity pants. Next to her, Erica was elegantly dressed in black pants, boots and a cashmere sweater. Her understated jewelry looked expensive. She drove with the same confidence she showed in everything. Allison truly felt like the country mouse she was and wished just once she could be the one who was capable and in command.

They’d already bought back her ring. The jeweler had tried to make her pay a five-hundred-dollar buy-back fee, but Erica had demanded to see that policy in writing on Allison’s receipt. Seconds later, the rings had been hers for exactly what she’d been paid the previous day.

“I didn’t make an appointment,” Allison said suddenly, thinking she should have called Raymond’s office first thing.

“I took care of that.” Erica smiled. “It’s amazing how available a lawyer can be when you’re bringing in a check.”

“Do you deal with lawyers a lot?”

“Every now and then. I have one on retainer for nuisance threats.” She glanced at Allison before returning her attention to the road. “Sometimes clients threaten to sue in order to get their service for free. Or they’ll talk trash on social media, hoping to get a payout to keep them quiet. That’s when it’s good to have someone around to write the sternly worded cease-and-desist letter.”

Nothing Allison knew about, she thought. She’d never owned a business. Peter and Erica were the first people she knew who did. Levi had wanted a good job, so he’d gone to trade school. Owning his own business had never occurred to him.

There was something about Erica, she thought. Not just the confidence and the drive, but a willingness to do the work. When there was a problem, she got right into it and solved it. She didn’t wait for someone else to figure it out. She depended on herself. Allison admired that and thought maybe she could be more like her.

She glanced at the other woman. Erica was the most self-sufficient person she knew, but she was also the most solitary. She didn’t seem to have friends she went out with. Summer never mentioned her mother’s friends. Except for Killion and the people who worked for her, the only social interactions she seemed to have were with Mara and Summer.

Not that Allison was one to judge. Her life was pretty much her immediate family and she’d always liked it that way. But lately, she had to admit a little more support would be nice. But first the lawyer.

“How does this work?” she asked. “Do we sign something?”

“Usually there’s an agreement. You’ll want to ask about his plan and how he bills. That sort of thing.”

Allison stared at her blankly. “Until I met Raymond Collins, I’d never talked to a lawyer. Would you mind asking the questions?”

Erica smiled. “I’m feeling a little feisty this morning, so I’d be happy to take him on for you.”

They arrived at the office and were shown right into a conference room. Erica ignored the view, instead walking over to the coffee station and studying the options.

“Did you want some herbal tea?”

“I’m fine.”

Erica used the Keurig to make herself a cup of coffee, then took her seat just as Raymond walked in.

“Allison,” he said, shaking her hand, but keeping his gaze on Erica. “Good to see you again.” He turned to Erica. “Raymond Collins.”

“Erica Sawyer. I’m a friend of Allison’s.”

“Here to offer her legal advice?” he asked, grinning at his own joke.

“Here to make sure she understands everything that’s happening.”

His gaze lingered. “It’s always good to have friends.”

They all sat down. Erica immediately took charge of the conversation.

“Tell us about the charges.”

Raymond glanced from Erica to Allison and back. “As I told Allison when we met earlier in the week, the authorities aren’t very happy with Peter right now. He wouldn’t cooperate while he had the court-appointed attorney. They feel he was wasting their time. Because of that, they’re being difficult now. Adding charges because they can.”

“Such as?” Erica asked.

He typed on the tablet he’d brought in with him. “Assaulting a police officer. Resisting arrest. Money laundering, wire fraud, racketeering.” He looked up. “There are more, but those are the basics.”

Allison felt all the blood rush from her head. She swayed in the seat. “They’re saying he assaulted a police officer? That can’t be right. Peter would never do that.”

“He pulled a gun on them when they came to arrest him. I’m getting mixed messages on whether or not shots were fired. That will make a difference.”

“Is he ever coming home?”

She hadn’t meant to ask the question, but the words came out before she could stop them. Erica surprised her by reaching out and gently squeezing Allison’s hand.

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “Just breathe. We’ll get through this.” She turned to Raymond. “Tell me about your experience with cases like this.”

Raymond closed the tablet. “Every case is different.”

Erica narrowed her gaze. “Mr. Collins, that isn’t an answer. Are you qualified to handle Peter’s case or not? If we’re trusting you with the life and freedom of Allison’s husband, then the least you can do is give us honest and professional answers to our questions.”

He studied her for several seconds, then nodded. “I work exclusively with white-collar defendants. Peter’s charges are very common in my line of work. I know the DA and the games they play.”

“And the gun charge?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Situations get heated. My clients tend to be men used to being in command. They don’t take kindly to being told what to do and they’re often feeling desperate. I’m not worried about the gun charge.”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“The money laundering. Even the wire fraud can be explained away. He was doing it for personal reasons, he was greedy, whatever. But with the money laundering, he’s part of a group and that’s never good.”

Allison listened carefully, trying to absorb every word. She didn’t understand half of what Raymond was saying but she knew Erica would explain it to her later.

“Any chance we can get the bail reduced?” Erica asked. “Peter’s hardly a flight risk. I doubt he’s been out of the country in the past five years. He has no assets, he has a wife and son whom he adores and there’s a baby on the way.”

Raymond’s gaze dropped to Allison’s huge belly. “I see that. I can talk to the judge. Like I said, the feds are annoyed at being kept waiting, so they’re not eager to make nice.”

“Perhaps you could charm them.”

Raymond offered her a slow smile. “I wouldn’t have thought you considered me capable of being charming.”

Nothing about Erica’s neutral I’m here for business expression changed. “I’m sure you can be if you choose.”

“I’ll see what I can do. No promises.”

Allison almost blurted out her due date, which was getting closer by the day. She wanted Peter home for the birth of their second child. She wanted him home before Jackson forgot his father. She wanted him home and their lives back to normal.

“Now about your retainer. Thirty thousand seems like a lot.”

“Peter’s case is going to take a lot of time. I bill at four hundred an hour. The money goes fast.”

Four hundred dollars an hour? Was that even legal? Did people really make that much? Erica seemed unfazed by the amount. She passed over a personal check and a business card.

Raymond looked between them. “Who will I be contacting with information?”

“Allison,” Erica said, while at the same time Allison said, “Erica.”

“Both of us,” Allison added, glancing at her friend. “It will make it easier when I ask questions.”

“Good point.”

Raymond pressed his lips together. “I have to run that by Peter. He’s my client, not either of you, although as his wife, Allison has the right to know what’s happening.”

“Ask him,” Erica said easily. “Once you explain I’m paying for your services, he won’t mind at all. I’m assuming you primarily communicate with her via email?”

“Generally.”

“Allison will want to be regularly informed of every aspect of her husband’s case.”

He shifted in his seat. “I’m a busy man, Erica. I prefer to share the highlights.”

“You have staff, Raymond. Use them. Allison is dealing with enough stress in her life right now. Leaving her uninformed is not an option.”

His gaze locked with hers. Allison thought she saw a flicker of respect before he said, “You’re the boss.”

“I’m not. She is, but I’m her advocate, so you’re going to have to deal with both of us.”

He glanced at her business card. “Twisted. That’s the hair place, right? That’s you?”

She eyed him coolly. “That’s me.”

He leaned back in his chair, his body language open. “So you checked me out before you came here.”

Erica rose, then helped Allison to stand. “No, but I did have you investigated. I have a friend who always knows a guy. You have a reputation for getting the job done. Some question your tactics, but you stay on the right side of the law. See that doesn’t change.”

Raymond scrambled to his feet. “You’re leaving?”

“We are. Please let us know as soon as you have something to share.” She nodded at the check on the table. “I’m assuming once that clears, you’ll have a lot more to tell us.”

“I should know something by the morning.”

“How convenient.”

Raymond followed them to the elevator. He managed to get between them and angled himself toward Erica.

“We should have lunch. I’ll call you.”

“No, you won’t.”

He flashed her a smile. “Come on. You’re interested.”

“No, I’m not.”

The elevator arrived. Erica followed Allison onto it, then faced Raymond. “We’ll expect that report first thing.”

His gaze lingered on her face. “You’ll have it. Then you’ll go to lunch with me.”

“Unlikely.”

The doors closed.

Allison leaned against the wall, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

“You think he knows more than he’s telling us?” she asked, not bothering to keep the outrage from her voice. “Can he do that? Does he have some kind of duty to tell us the truth and stuff?”

“Once we’re his client, then yes. Right now, we’re just talking.”

They reached the parking garage and walked toward Erica’s SUV.

“I couldn’t have gotten through that meeting without you. I wouldn’t have known what to ask.” She climbed into the passenger seat. “I’m not sure I like him. Is that bad?”

“No, it’s smart. Killion says he’s a bit of a player, but he’s a good lawyer and he works hard for his clients. He’s not cheap, but the good ones never are.”

Allison wanted to ask how Erica and Killion knew so much, but suspected it had something to do with their places in the world. They were successful business owners, moving in circles she’d never been privy to.

“Raymond will do a good job,” Erica said as she backed out of the parking space. “We should have more information in the next couple of days. Once the feds get over their snit, things can move forward. I’m not sure how to solve the bail situation but I’m hoping Raymond can get some of your money unfrozen.”

She glanced at Allison, then turned her attention to the road. “You don’t need it while you’re living with me, but you’ll feel better knowing you have it.”

She would. Having money meant she could pay for things like day care for Jackson. He was there today, but the payment would come out of the money Erica had given her.

Allison leaned back in the seat. “You know so much. I don’t know anything. I’m a small-town girl who never went to college.”

“You didn’t grow up in Seattle?”

Allison laughed. “Not even close. A small town in eastern Washington you’ve never heard of.”

“Do you ever go back?”

She thought about burying her father, the only family she had. “No. This is home now.”

“Want to get some lunch?”

The question surprised her. “Now?”

“It’s nearly noon. I doubt you ate much breakfast. Let’s stop somewhere.” Erica smiled. “I’m in the mood for a really great burger.”

Allison’s mouth watered. “With steak fries.”

“Perfect.”

Twenty minutes later they were being shown to a table by the window. The restaurant wasn’t one Allison recognized and seemed to be more bar than eating place, but she was willing to trust Erica’s taste.

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” the other woman said, “but believe me. They have the best burgers.” She looked at the menu. “Okay, so you’re limited in what you can order, right? No soft cheese, no processed meat. You could go plant based, but that seems sad.”

Allison laughed. “I’ll have a cheeseburger with cheddar.”

“I’ll get the same and we can split the fries.” Erica eyed her. “How about a milkshake? They make them here themselves. That way you’ll get real dairy.”

Allison glanced at the flavors. The cookies-and-cream one sounded decadent. “I don’t know. They look great, but I’ll be full.”

“So take it with you. When we get home you can stick it in the freezer and have it later.”

Allison laughed. “Fine. You’ve convinced me.” She put down her menu and thought about their morning. “Was Peter’s lawyer coming on to you?”

Erica rolled her eyes. “In a very bumbling not-smooth way. It was off-putting, but in situations like this, it’s better to separate the man from the skill set.”

“You shut him down. You were gracious, but you didn’t give him anything.”

“That was on purpose. Even if I’d been interested, which I’m not, that kind of meeting isn’t the place to flirt. He needs to focus on his work.” She picked up her water. “The entire gender, with one or two exceptions, is flawed if you ask me.”

Their server stopped by and took their order. When she’d left, Erica looked at Allison. “If you didn’t grow up here, why did you want to come to Seattle?”

Allison moved the knife and fork around. She didn’t know how to answer the question. No, that wasn’t true—she wasn’t sure about sharing that part of her life with Erica. Silly, because the other woman had been nothing but kind.

“I was married before,” she said quietly. “Levi and I married right out of high school. He was always good with his hands and could fix anything. He wanted to work for a big HVAC repair company. The ones that work on industrial buildings and high rises. So we saved for two years, then he applied to technical school here.”

“What did your family think of the decision?”

“It was just my dad and me and he died the fall after Levi and I got married. Levi’s family was pretty dysfunctional. His folks were more interested in fighting than caring for their kids. His two older brothers joined the military. He always said he wanted to live somewhere else, and Seattle offered a great opportunity.”

Erica studied her as she spoke, seeming interested in the story.

“What happened when you got here?”

Allison smiled. “We were blown away by how big the area is. Levi got accepted into the program and I worked two jobs, supporting us.” She smiled wistfully. “We were happy. Young, but there was so much we were looking forward to. We wanted to buy a house. Nothing fancy, just a small place for the two of us and the babies we would have. Every Sunday we went to open houses together to see what we liked and didn’t like.”

Erica’s expression turned kind. “When did he die?”

“How did you know?”

“You didn’t split up. There’s too much love in your voice when you talk about him.”

“He started feeling real tired about two years after he got his dream job. We’d been saving money, hoping to find our little house and then get pregnant. He kept saying he just needed to catch up on his sleep, but I made him go to the doctor.” She paused, remembering the shock, the sense of disbelief when he was diagnosed. “It was some kind of leukemia. Not one of the good ones. He fought for the next three years and then he died.”

She turned away as tears filled her eyes. “The drugs were expensive and not all covered by insurance. Nobody tells you that—at least we didn’t know. Cancer’s expensive. So when he was gone, I had a stack of bills.”

She looked at Erica. “I paid them all. Every one.”

“I know you did.”

“I tried to get on with my life, but it was hard. I didn’t have much, not even a baby. We’d wanted to wait until we bought our house. I wish we hadn’t. I wish we’d gotten me pregnant so I would have Levi’s child.” She hesitated. “I don’t say that to disrespect Peter.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Allison. I get it. If Levi hadn’t died, you’d still be together, with three kids and a house out in Redmond. Everything would be different.”

There was such kindness in her words, such understanding. “You’re nothing like I thought,” Allison blurted. “I’m sorry for thinking mean things about you.”

Erica smiled. “You weren’t my favorite person, either. I guess we know each other a lot better now.” Her smile faded. “I’m sorry about Levi.”

“Me, too. He was a good, good man.”

She hated to admit it but she knew down to her bones he would never have done what Peter did. He wouldn’t have risked his family’s future. A great truth, but not one that was very comforting in her current situation because in the end, even though he hadn’t wanted to, Levi had left her just as alone.

Erica lay on her back, doing her best to catch her breath as lingering shudders from her recent orgasm rippled through her body. Killion was stretched out next to her, his chest rising and falling as he, too, recovered. The bed was big and comfortable and despite the fact that it was barely seven thirty in the evening, she was tempted to let herself fall asleep.

Killion rolled to face her, placing his warm hand on her belly. She opened her eyes to find him watching her.

“Thank you,” he said when their gazes locked. “That was very nice.”

The understatement made her smile. “Adequately satisfying.”

His mouth twitched. “A jolly good time.” His hand roamed over her breasts as he leaned close and kissed her. “In fact you’re nearly always a good time.”

She laughed. “Nearly always? When am I not?”

“I take back the ‘nearly.’”

“Too late. You said it. Now you have to be punished.”

His green eyes brightened with amusement. “I didn’t know you were into that. How would you like to punish me?”

She sat up. “Please don’t tell me you like to be spanked or dominated. I won’t judge but I swear, it’s really not my thing.”

“You don’t want me to call you Ms. Sawyer and tell you I’ve been bad.” He laughed as he slid out of bed. “Don’t worry. My desires fall well within the ordinary range.”

“As do mine.”

He held out his hand. “Let’s take a shower, then I’ll feed you.”

She joined him and together they walked naked into the spacious bathroom. Twenty minutes later they were toweling off before slipping on bathrobes and heading downstairs. While she sat at the counter, he studied the contents of the refrigerator.

“Omelets?” he asked. “I have cheese and sweet peppers, along with mushrooms.”

“Perfect.”

She walked into the pantry to see what treats Napoleon had left on the bread shelf. There was an assortment of muffins from a little bakery in the neighborhood. She brought the box to the island before putting out flatware and napkins, then she rinsed the fresh berries Killion had set out.

“How was the meeting with Peter’s lawyer?” Killion asked.

“All right. He’s not sharing much until the check clears. I told him to keep me in the loop. He’ll have to get Peter’s permission but as Peter begged me to take care of his wife, I don’t see him saying no.”

She hoped her voice didn’t sound bitter. She didn’t have feelings for Peter—not anymore. It was just...everything. Yes, she was successful and proud of herself and mostly pretty happy, but she had never been anyone’s great love, nor was she likely to be. Yet Allison had inspired two men to love her. Peter had committed crimes for her—not exactly a recommendation of his character, but it was more than he’d done for her.

Erica paused as she rinsed strawberries. Not that she wanted Peter to have committed crimes in her name. It wasn’t what she meant. It was just—

“You have scrunchy face. What are you thinking?”

“Allison was married before. We went to lunch after we saw the lawyer and she told me. Levi was her high school sweetheart.”

She put the berries in a bowl, then returned to the island while he finished the omelet. “She and Levi were waiting to have kids until they could buy a house. Then he got leukemia and died.” She did the math in her head. “I guess she met Peter about a year later.”

“When he rescued her,” Killion said as he cut the omelet in two and slid half onto each plate. He joined her at the island.

“She hasn’t had it easy. I had no idea about the first husband.”

“You don’t know a lot about her.”

“That’s true.” She took a bite. “Delicious as always.”

“Thank you.”

“The whole falling-in-love-in-high-school thing is interesting.”

“Not for you,” he offered.

She smiled. “I wasn’t interested in anything permanent back then.” She paused. “Or impermanent. I had big plans.” She looked at him. “You’ve been married.”

“Yes.”

“We don’t talk about your family much.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to.”

He was right—she’d resisted sharing too much. But now she was curious. “You have an ex-wife?”

“I do. She’s remarried.”

“Just the one?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, one ex-wife, no current wife. You’re the only woman in my life.”

“You have two daughters, right? They’re grown?”

He nodded. “My oldest is a software engineer. Married, two children. A boy and a girl. They live here.” His expression softened. “Her kids are five and three, close to Jackson’s age.”

That explained why he was so good with the toddler. “And the youngest?”

“She works for a venture capital firm in San Francisco. She’s determined to buy me out in ten years. I’m resisting her plan.”

“I never thought of you as a grandfather.”

He chuckled. “Does that make me less sexy?”

“Could anything do that?”

“I like to think not but one never knows.”

She smiled. “You’re as sexy as you were the day I met you.”

“Thank you.”

“You know I mean it.” Her smile widened. “Let us remember what happened about forty minutes ago.”

“I’ll dream about it.”

She laughed, knowing he was kidding, but still, the words were nice. Killion was good to her. He always had been. Right from the start, she’d sensed that he truly got her. She hadn’t ever had to explain or justify her work schedule or her passion for her business. If anything, he encouraged her to strive for more.

“We should all have dinner,” he said, his voice casual.

“You, me and...?”

He looked at her. “I’d like you to meet my daughters.”

Oh. Oh! “Why?”

“I’ve met Summer and your mother. And now Allison and Jackson. We could all have dinner together.”

The unexpected suggestion instantly made her uneasy. Meeting Killion’s daughters? That seemed so...so... Well, she wasn’t sure what, but something uncomfortable. It was as if Killion thought this was a regular kind of relationship, which it wasn’t.

“I’m not sure I want to explain who Allison is to your adult children,” she said.

“Why not? You come out as the hero of that story.”

“It’s not a story I enjoy telling.”

“Then we won’t invite Allison.” His gaze was steady. “It’s time, Erica.”

“But meeting family? That’s not who we are.”

“I text with your mother.”

She stared at him. “You don’t!”

“Ask her.”

“Oh, God! I didn’t know.” Betrayed by her own mother.

She shifted in her seat, wanting desperately to tell him no. That she didn’t want to get more involved. She liked what they had. But she sensed telling him that would change things between them and not in a way that would make her happy. She liked having Killion in her life. He was there just enough to satisfy her emotional needs, not to mention the great sex.

“Fine. Set up something in the next few weeks.”

Even she could hear her grudging tone, but Killion only smiled.

“Thank you for being so gracious.”

“You’re mocking me.”

“Only because the sex is so good.”