Chapter Eighteen
Tess had her regularly scheduled meeting with Helene late Thursday afternoon after she’d finished the rest of her day.
“As you know, I learned at the orientation about the new duties I’ve acquired as presiding judge. I’m authorized to oversee direct expenditures from the Trial Court Operations Fund, so I’m interested in taking a look at that budget information.”
“I can find that and send you a copy. If you give me a minute, I can do it now.” Helene cast her a glance, and she agreed before Helene left.
Tess sat back in her chair while she waited.
She hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Bree so far this week.
She missed her, but they both had full schedules.
She’d thought of Bree when she’d consumed her leftover Fred-burgers earlier in the week, and of course when she’d made the reservations for the Saturday after next so she could cash in the raffle.
Thinking about spending more time with Bree lifted her spirits.
Helene returned about ten minutes later. She handed a folder to Tess. “Here’s a hard copy summary of the Trial Court Operations Fund, and I’ve sent the full budget to your computer too.”
“Thanks. You’re as efficient as I’ve heard. Next, I’m going to want to take a look at the case assignments distributed to the judges over the past two years, so could you add it to our next meeting agenda so we touch base on it?”
Helene nodded, always professional as she made a note, so Tess continued.
“I realize that case assignments are part of your job, and I know that Simon Huffington probably didn’t get involved and just left everything to you.
But as I learn the ropes of my new position, I want to be more hands-on with my oversight duties.
” Tess had always taken her work seriously.
Then she added, “I’m thinking that, out of curiosity, I’m also going to want to look at the original random assignment documents those case-assignment calendars were built from. ”
Helene stood for a moment thinking, obviously considering Tess’s requests, so Tess decided to clarify.
“I’m interested in seeing how the random assignments play out after judicial qualifications or other factors come into play. Also, I missed four months with my…injury, so I’ll catch up on what happened while I was out recovering.”
Helene nodded again. “I’m not sure all that information is still on my computer. It should probably be saved somewhere, and it might take me a while to find, but I’ll try.”
“I’ve plenty to do. But put it on the agenda so we talk about it, and you can update me.”
Tess wondered about the extent of the role Huffington had played in the case assignments.
He’d never addressed the topic with the judges he presided over, not even to ask if anyone was interested in pursuing a shift or expansion of their courthouse roles like she had.
She was happy to stick with mostly the criminal division and pick up overflow in other areas where she was qualified, but she could understand if a judge desired change.
Someone reelected to multiple six-year terms might have a desire to mix it up after several years on the bench.
“In the meantime, let me dig around and see what I can find.” Helene stood up and left.
So far, Tess had no complaints. Helene had proven herself to be extremely efficient at running the administrative aspects of the courthouse. She knew she was creating extra work for Helene, but Tess wanted to understand what she was charged with overseeing.
Tess’s younger years had been spent trying to meet the elusive standards of others, and now she seemed to be setting them for herself.
With that thought, Tess shook her head and decided it was time to pack up for the day.
She grabbed the budget folder to take with her.
It would give her something to do this coming weekend.
Tess had her laptop open and several budget papers spread out on the living room coffee table in front of her.
She arched her aching back and wondered about that effort she was supposed to be making not to let her job run her life.
At least she’d put in a few miles on her treadmill this afternoon, but now it was nine o’clock on Sunday night, and she’d been focused on the budget for hours this weekend.
Tess’s free time was mostly spent with the two cats who were currently sleeping on the far end of the couch.
She needed to put in the time to do her job well, but it certainly didn’t take all her time, and that spare time had Tess thinking of the enticing, perplexing Bree.
They just seemed to fall into the kind of chemistry that Tess could only have imagined in the past. The connection to Bree was superb when they were together—the kind of connection that she hoped would have a place in her future.
She was looking forward to their raffle trip next weekend.
Tess took a moment to stand and stretch, then touched her toes. Thelma and Louise jumped up and headed to the kitchen. They looked back at her, and Louise even slowed down to make sure she’d gotten the message that they were napped out—it was treat time.
“You two have been so helpful with the review of all these fiscal records. Napping for hours while I fry my brain. So, what do you want for a reward, the fish flavored treats or the chicken?”
The two cats meowed in unison, and Tess chuckled. She knew they preferred the fish, so she pulled the bag from the cupboard and added five little brown bites to each of their bowls. Then she made a cup of tea.
By the time she was back in the living room with her tea, next Saturday was back on Tess’s mind.
She was fairly sure that Bree was looking forward to it too.
Tess sucked in a big breath and puffed it out.
They were still working hard to maintain a relationship appropriate for two friendly colleagues.
She picked up her phone to text Bree. Texting seemed appropriate.
And she hoped that it would make her less susceptible to Bree’s charm than a direct call.
Tess: Just giving you a week’s notice that the whales have us on their calendar next Saturday.
Bree: It’s you who’s on my calendar.
Tess tried not to smile, but even texting didn’t offer the buffer she’d hoped for. Oh hell. She decided she was going to enjoy their texting, then typed some more.
Tess: I heard they’ve been choreographing their show for us. So don’t let me spend the entire time lost at sea just looking at a gorgeous woman.
So out of character—no woman had ever led her to flirt in a way that she just couldn’t bring herself to avoid with Bree.
Bree: Hmph. That’s my line…looking at a gorgeous woman.
Tess: Are you bringing binoculars?
Bree: I won’t need them if you’re only inches away.
Tess: Hey, eyes on the prize, whale watching. I paid big bucks to win that prize.
Bree: And dinner. And dancing with you in my arms.
Tess: It’s going to be worth every cent then.
Bree: Maybe we should skip the whales and just get to the dancing.
Tess: Flipper wouldn’t be pleased.
Bree: Flipper?!!!
Tess: Dolphin, whale…I’m not a marine mammal expert. Only a lowly judge.
Bree: A high and mighty presiding judge. Remind me not to get on your bad side.
Tess: Saying I have a bad side just might get you on my bad side.
Bree: I keep hoping bad in the best sense of the word.
Tess stopped and laughed. Good grief, even texting with Bree didn’t offer an adequate buffer to her charms.
Tess: Is it okay if I plan to drive since you have a tendency to suffer engine lights and flat tires?
Bree: I’ve always wanted a chauffeur, and you’ve proven yourself very capable so far.
Tess: That’s me. And if you remember, also chivalrous.
Bree: Yes, Your Honor.
Tess: That’s you too, Your Honor. Shall we say good night and look forward to next Saturday?
Bree: Ok. Thanks for texting.
Tess: Thank my cats. Thelma and Louise insisted it was time for tuna treats and texting.
Bree: You’re going to have to kiss those little beasts for making my Saturday night.
Tess: Well, if that’s the best offer that I’m going to get, tuna breath and all. But not who I want to be kissing.
Shit. Had she just typed that? Not that it wasn’t the truth, but Tess needed to rein this in.
Bree: Maybe next Saturday night you’ll get luckier.
Maybe, Tess wistfully thought.
Tess: Have a good week.
Bree: You too.
Tess put her phone away. For Pete’s sake, she was a glutton for punishment. So much for a reset. She should probably curse herself, but how could she when just a simple text exchange could leave her feeling this good?
Tess didn’t know how to make Bree believe they deserved a serious effort at a relationship.
That they could make it work, even with all that they each had going on in their professional lives.
Maybe the only answer was one text exchange, one whale watching trip at a time, but how did she keep from getting in too deep and ending up in a one-sided cardiac crash?
She needed to keep tabs on her heart, to not let hope blind her.
When she arrived at work the next morning, Bree began to prepare for her full day.
She’d gone to bed thinking of Tess. She and Tess were suspended between the friendship reset and the chemistry that constantly sparked between them.
And of course, there was this cursed commission investigation secret she carried.
She saw Tess in the hallway, and Tess nodded at her with the neutral face she wore around the courthouse and a “Good to see you, Judge O’Brian,” but Bree could see the sparkle in her eyes and hear the warmth in her voice, and she knew she’d probably been the one to put them there.
That pleased her, and it worried her. She and Tess were playing with each other’s hearts—Tess was certainly playing with hers.
Bree knew Tahoe Tess, but she also knew that with the wrong move, Tess could retreat into the persona she’d adopted and used for decades to protect herself.