Page 18 of Defend Me

Penny, my four-year-old labrador, jumps on me as soon as I open the door to the house. I fall to my knees and let her lick away the tears that stream freely down my cheeks. Her butt wiggles and she paws at my chest, as if to saywhere have you been??

“I’m sorry, girl,” I say, sinking my face into her soft warm fur. “I’m home now.”

If only I could say it was for good.

CHAPTER SIX

VON

I’m exhausted and it’s barely noon.

Caden arranges Noah’s bail while Isla and I wait outside.

“You were amazing,” she gushes.

“Yeah,” I say, before realizing that probably sounded arrogant. But I mean, I’m great in court. I’m not about to pretend otherwise.

“Your friend is all set up at the Thorn.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. I’m grateful that she got Grayson’s accommodations arranged so quickly.

“We can drive you over when we’re done if you’d like,” she offers.

“I’d appreciate that,” I say. I wonder if she has any other homemade baked goods at the bed and breakfast. That’s her thing, right? It seems crazy that only a week ago, Caden was helping her with her bakery booth for Magnolia Day, the town’s big end-of-summer festival. I’d barely spoken a handful of wordsto her in my entire life. Now, she’s giving me rides and I’m hoping for more of those cheddar biscuits.

Caden finishes up with the bondsman and we head to the parking lot. I knew Caden hadn’t gotten around to buying a car yet—he insists on riding his stupid motorcycle everywhere—but it hadn’t occurred to me we’d be taking Isla’s car.

It’s a bright red Kia. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Kia. I squash myself into the backseat and wonder how people live like this. My brother should definitely get her a new car. Maybe a BMW. I get the sense Isla wouldn’t want anything too ostentatious.

Caden is grinning at me in the sideview mirror.

“Comfy?” he asks as Isla starts the car. I kick the back of his seat—just because he spent a few years doing hard labor on a vineyard in Argentina does not suddenly make him a man of the people. He cannot possibly enjoy being crammed into this tiny vehicle. He chuckles at my attitude then his expression falls.

“The judge doesn’t seem to like Noah,” he says.

“He doesn’t likeme,” I clarify. “And he strikes me as the type who doesn’t like defendants, period.”

I’ve certainly seen my fair share of those. Defending Noah just got a whole lot harder.

Good thing I live for a challenge.

When we reach the Thorn and Rose, Caden comes inside with us. He and Isla are casually holding hands, in a way that makes something in my chest pinch. Even though they couldn’t be from more different worlds, they fit. There’s an ease between them, a comfort. It’s something I know I’ll never have. I’m not easy around anyone.

The Thorn itself is a lovely blend of homey and elegant—it’s a huge white colonial with a wide front porch, complete with a swing and wicker furniture. We enter a large comfortable living room with a rustic blend of furniture and lots of plants that give the space a sense of a conservatory. There’s a staircase off to myleft. Next to it is the doorway to the kitchen. I can’t help glancing hopefully in its direction. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning. I never eat before court.

“I was going to make some goat cheese and spring onion galettes,” Isla says with a knowing smile as my stomach gives a traitorous gurgle. “If you’re feeling peckish. They should be ready in about an hour. Grayson’s room is number 5—turn right at the top of the stairs.”

“Cool,” I say, determined not to reveal the way my mouth started watering at the wordsgoat cheese. I climb the steps and find the room easily. I knock and a few seconds later, Grayson opens the door.

“Oh my fucking god,” he says, stepping back to let me inside. “What the hell did you get me into? Where are we? Is this like Deliverance?”

I bristle at his words, feeling an unusual impulse to defend my hometown.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” I say. “Magnolia Bay isn’t the backwoods of Kentucky. We’re still in civilization.”

Grayson sniffs. “If you say so.”

“I do. And what took you so long to get here?”’

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