Chapter Six #3
Bree wanted to be that carefree again. Hell, she should probably kick herself after her experience with Cora, but she was starting to contemplate that she might even want a girlfriend again, but certainly not now.
Maybe someday. Someday in the distant future after she’d achieved the things she needed in order to restart her life here in Corazon Cove.
But when she thought of a girlfriend, she thought of Tess.
Hank shoulder bumped her and handed her a bottle of water.
“So why so introspective? Is the new job treating you okay?”
“Yeah. Can I ask you some questions? You’ve been around Corazon Cove so much longer than I have. I just want to hear your opinion. And keep our talk between you and me.”
Hanks nodded and put his hand over his heart, their age-old sibling gesture of trust.
“You’ve been in this town for a long time. I’m just wanting to know what you’ve heard about the courthouse.” Bree waited for Hank’s response.
Hank looked at her. “I’ve already told you most of what I know about the judges.”
“Is there any more you can tell me about Theresa Fairchild’s shooting?” Suddenly it occurred to Bree that the scar she’d seen the night they’d made love in Tahoe, it was from the bullet. She certainly wasn’t going to let on to Hank, but that scar made Tess’s shooting so much more real.
“At night near her car in the courthouse lot. Nothing useful on camera. Never solved. The cops never found who did it. I’ve heard the county sheriff investigated it along with the local police, but no concrete tie to Fairchild’s job, and the local police still have it on their radar.
I don’t know who else the sheriff might have worked with. ”
“What about rumors?” Bree asked. She couldn’t help it.
She really wanted to know what had led to the attack on Tess.
Maybe Tess’s safety was still at risk. She knew that she cared enough to be concerned.
Understanding the courthouse incident was one thing—it related to her own job.
But she realized she wanted to know more about Tess’s personal past too.
Hank sighed. “It’s pretty nuts, but I’ve heard rumors.
Suggestions ranging from minor criminal crap, which isn’t all that surprising, to some completely outlandish talk of major ongoing corrupt activity linked directly to the courthouse.
Wild talk only. I haven’t heard it from anyone I’d put my money on.
” Hank took a moment to contemplate. “It is a courthouse, after all, and they try criminal cases, so I’d probably bet on Fairchild’s bad luck—wrong place at the wrong time. Have you met her yet?”
Bree hesitated too long before nodding. Hank’s initial glance came back as a prolonged look as he studied her face.
“Ah, this line of questioning is more than just superficial interest. Care to spill?” he asked.
Bree thought for another moment, then decided which things she was willing to tell Hank.
“Did Rachelle tell you that I shared the Tahoe cabin?”
“Yup. With a friend of Flo’s, from what she told me.” Hank waited while Bree decided what to say next.
“That friend of Flo’s turned out to be Theresa Fairchild, but I only knew her as Tess. I had no clue that week that she was a judge, or that she lived here in Corazon Cove—we’d agreed to leave the outside world behind.”
Hank grunted, then chuckled. “So how well did you get to know Tess?”
Bree offered Hank her best effort at a dismissive wave of her hand. “You’re known as Hank and not Henry to most people.”
“Now that’s an avoidance answer. My journalist’s radar is telling me that there’s a story here. Off the record, of course.”
“I met up with her at the Steam Stop the other night, now that we’ve realized we’re judicial colleagues. We agreed to be friendly.”
Bree swallowed down the lump she felt rise in her throat as she thought about the meeting, Tess’s obvious initial frustration and agenda, and their undeniable chemistry. A chemistry in conflict with her intention to keep her focus on everything new that she had on her plate.
“That tells me that you’ve decided to redefine things. So you got close”—Hank waggled his eyebrows—“to the reserved Judge Fairchild. I’d love to know what she’s like underneath all that polite armor I hear she wears.”
Bree remained silent.
“What’s the issue if you two ladies happen to like each other?
I’m sure you can figure out the work dynamics.
I know you’ve said you’re not interested in a girlfriend, that you’ve got too much change going on, but it’s been a year and a half since your divorce from Cora.
Don’t waste any more time on her. You deserve someone. ”
“I need to make a success of my new job. Do my best to finally heal after Cora. I don’t want a new serious relationship right now. Besides, workplace romances can have plenty of complications.” Bree gave Hank a look that told him she’d considered the issues and Tess was not in her current plans.
He nodded. “Okay. I can tell you’ve thought about it, so my feelings as your older-and-wiser brother and advisor are only mildly bruised. I’m just going to say that you need love, Bree. And not just family, although I do love you.”
“I love you too, Hank.” She knew he’d have her back, and that meant the world to her.