Chapter 2 #2
Rushing through the doors, I get clearance in just enough time to hop the next elevator to the second floor. I’m deep in my briefcase when the doors open and I step out, straight into the path of an electrified wall.
“You okay?” The rough baritone brings me up short because I know the voice. Looking up, I find those deep, ocean-blue eyes.
“Walker.” I sigh before clearing my throat.
“Reese.” He flashes me his million-dollar smile. “In a hurry?”
“I am. I-uh, need to run. I’m gonna be late,” I stutter.
“Me too.” His brow arches high. “See you later?”
“Sure.” Is he asking me out?
“Good. I have a few questions about the cases you gave me last night.” Well, there’s the answer to my unspoken question.
“Oh, yeah. Okay.” I glance at him, offering a nervous smile. I silently admonish myself for the fact that he makes me nervous.
He points toward the long hallway. “Going my way?”
“Actually, yes.” I smile coyly. He places his hand on the small of my back. My cheeks turn pink with a blush. So now, I’m blushing. Geez.
We walk down the long hallway that holds two courtrooms set across from one another and four more offices. As we come to the judge’s chambers, we stop.
“I need to drop off some papers.” I gesture toward the clerk’s office.
“Oh, okay. I’ll see you later.” He grins.
My stomach does flips. “Sounds good.” I step away from his touch, grimacing at my short goodbye.
I’m rolling my eyes as I enter the clerk’s office. My friend, Sharon, quirks a quizzical brow. “What’s up?”
“Ya know, the same old story. Girl meets a gorgeous man and becomes a complete idiot.” I chuckle with her.
“How gorgeous?” She grins with the same cocked brow.
“Blond god gorgeous.” I sigh, leaning against the counter and dropping my head onto it.
“Who is it?” she questions.
“I know his first name and that he’s an attorney.” I raise my head to look at her and shrug. “It’s what I get for being the new girl in town, I suppose.”
“What’s his name?” Sharon asks.
I glance at the clock on the wall, realizing I need to hustle. “I’ll be back. Court.” I throw over my shoulder as I rush out the door.
I cross the hall in a flurry, pushing my way through the doors. It’s a small town. Several hearings go on in the same room, one right after the other. I slide between the railing and into my chair, grabbing my files as I settle in.
As I open the files, I’m joined by the president of the Coastal Carolina Historical Society, Beth Jones. “Good morning, I wanted to touch base before I take my seat.”
“Good morning. That’s not a problem.”
“Wonderful. How are we looking?” she adds.
“I’m hopeful, just getting my things in order.”
“Excellent,” she says as she rises from the seat to take the one behind me.
Chills wash over me. I know exactly who’s here before hearing him. Walker has entered the room, and I’m immediately on edge. I can’t believe he’s going to witness me in action. I begin to sweat with the thought, a wave of nausea hitting me.
My eyes flit toward his voice as I try to gauge where he’s located in the room. I swivel ever so slightly in my seat, so as not to be obvious. My nonchalant attempt fails me as I glare at him, standing at the opposite table with Lachlan Daly.
“Walker?” I say out loud before I can catch myself.
He turns, wide-eyed, as he appraises my gaping mouth. “Reese?”
Standing, I move closer to him, so no one can hear. “Like you didn’t know,” I spit at him.
“I did not,” he says through gritted teeth.
“I don’t believe you,” I seethe. “Oh my God. You volunteered at the center to see if you could find out anything about this case.”
“Are you kidding me?” he says, glaring at me.
The bailiff enters the room, a tall broad man with dark hair dressed in blue, and brings our conversation to an end. “All rise. The Superior Court of Brunswick County, State of North Carolina, is now in session. The Honorable Douglas Gibson, presiding.”
“Be seated,” Judge Gibson orders. He’s a shorter man with thinning hair on top and a round middle that can be seen through his black robe.
My face is crimson as my blood pressure continues to rise. Walker’s full of shit if he thinks I’m dumb enough to believe he wasn’t up to something at the center. The stakes just hit an all-time high, and I refuse to allow him to win.
“Your Honor, today’s case is The Coastal Carolina Historical Society versus Daly Industries International,” the bailiff recites.
“Are both sides represented today?” Judge Gibson asks.
Walker and I stand at the same time and answer in unison. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“I will hear from The Historical Society first,” Judge Gibson says, acknowledging me.
“Thank you, Your Honor. The Coastal Carolina Historical Society would like to submit a letter from the council regarding the matter at hand.”
“Please.” He motions for the bailiff to accept the paper. “Go on, Miss Morgan.”
“They ask the court to consider an indefinite hold on the site until we have an answer from the National Historical Society on the property in question. We also ask any further litigation be suspended to help offset the cost to the local chapter.”
“Mr. Pennington.” The judge motions.