Page 109 of When the Smoke Clears

I flip off the living room light. Izzy opens the front door, and they make their way onto the front porch as I follow and close up.

“I can do one better than that.” Leah wags her phone at me as I turn. The screen is black, so I’m not sure what she’s talking about.

“You’re giving her your phone?” Izzy purses her lips.

“Nope. I found your phoenix tree.” Leah directs her response to me.

“My…” My brows scrunch firmly together. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She lifts her chin haughtily and flips her wild, dark hair off one shoulder. “Royal Poinciana, or the Flame Tree. I found where to get one here in town. It’s perfect for symbolizing your transformation. Look.” She passes the phone in front of her face to unlock it and hands it to me.

An image of a tree with bold red flowers fills the screen. It’s reminiscent of a crape myrtle, but the flowers sprout off in long limbs of nearly two feet, drawing you in to its vibrant blooms. It has quite an impact.

“It’s lovely,” I say, handing the phone to Izzy. “I’ll think about it.”

Leah reaches her arms to me as mine come to her and we hug each other tightly. A moment later, one of Izzy’s arms wraps around my back as she hugs us in an outer layer.

“You two are the absolute best. I love you so much.”

“Ok, but last time you said that near this porch, bad things happened after, so…” Leah pushes back and creates an X with her two pointer fingers.

“Your timing can be so damn awful,” Izzy says, cackling.

I can’t help but laugh either. Ill-timed or not, I have to go on living my life. I won’t be sorry for being here and for choosing me.

Chapter 39

Maci

MymeetingwithHankcan’t come soon enough. Thankfully, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, he comes out to the ranch so we can discuss what’s going on and Sutton can be a part of the conversation. I told him Sutton didn’t have to, but he was having no part of that option.

“How are you?” Hank asks, after sitting in one of the dining table chairs.

Sutton and I have taken up our usual places. Sutton’s warm hand rubs my leg in a soothing pattern.

“Truthfully?” I ask, continuing without waiting for a response. “Stressed. I need this done yesterday.”

Hank rubs his smooth chin. “I told you I’d see what I could do, and I will, but you know I’ll be honest with you about the outlook, too.”

Hank has always felt steady to me, and I appreciate his honesty, but right now I just want to hear that he can get this thrown out or something.

“Alright, first things first. I’ve requested documents from the police department. Alan’s lawyer has probably already done that as well, or he wouldn’t have agreed to the case. In theory, at least. Once I read through it all, I’ll have a clear idea of what’s beneficial to us.”

The tension coiled inside me eases minutely. I know everyone thinks Hank is the wrong choice as a defense attorney, considering this is so far from his specialty, but I’m following my gut on this.

“In the meantime, we’re going to respond to the notice. I’ll handle that part.” He looks between Sutton and me before continuing. “I’m going to assume we need to hit him hard. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to respond to anything less. Like logic and reason.” He smirks, and I’m reminded of the morning in Nana’s kitchen when he tried to soften the somber mood.

Sutton shifts in his chair. “What happens if you can’t convince him to drop this?”

“Scheduling will happen. We wouldn’t have a meeting with them for months. We can attempt mediation in hopes of convincing them to drop the case or settling.”

“I’m not paying him a fucking dime.” Hot fury floods my veins.

Hank doesn’t seem bothered by my interruption. “If all else fails, we’ll be going to trial. There will be a period of discovery when we’ll share information so that we understand what they intend to use against you, and vice versa.”

“How long is that?” Sutton asks, leaning forward in his seat.

“All in all, we could be looking at eighteen months or more. Years.” Hank’s face is tight.

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