Page 100 of A Legal Affair
“You do that.” Crandall paused, then added almost gruffly, “I like her, son. There’s something special about her. She’s not like the others.”
By “others,” Caleb knew his father meant the other women he’d dated in the past, many of whom turned out to be after his money and the legal empire he stood to inherit someday. Since Caleb had never been seriously interested in any of those women, he’d suffered little more than a twinge of disgust when they showed their true colors.
He knew it would be different with Daniela. She, unlike the others, had the power to hurt him. It scared him to realize just howmuchpower she had.
Keeping his gaze trained on her face, searching for any sign that she was faking sleep in order to eavesdrop on his conversation, Caleb said to his father, “I take it, then, that you approve.”
Crandall let out a low, gravelly chuckle. “If you’re asking whether I approve of your relationship with a student, the answer is no. I think it’s dangerous and mighty reckless of you, son, and I hope to God you know what you’re doing. That said, you’re a Thorne, and Thorne men have always marched to the beat of our own drum. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had adhered to the dictates of others, nor would you. Thankfully, to balance our willful natures, the Good Lord blessed us with an abundance of sound judgment. I think you’ve already decided that Miss Moreau is worth any risk you’re taking in being with her, and based on what I observed of the young lady, I think you’ve made the right call.”
Caleb closed his eyes briefly. “Thanks, Dad. I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.” A heavy pause filled the line. “There’s something else you should probably know. I debated whether to tell you since she specifically asked me not to. But I think you have a right to know what’s going on. I wouldn’t want you to be blindsided, just in case…”
Every muscle tightened in Caleb’s body. “What’re you talking about?” But he already had a pretty damn good idea.
“It’s Shara Adler, son. She reached out to me yesterday.”
Caleb swore under his breath.
“She wanted to share her concerns about your relationship with Daniela. She insisted her motives were purely altruistic, of course, but we both know better. She’s in love with you, and she wants Daniela out of the picture. She was hoping I would talk some sense into you. When I refused, she went scorched earth and threatened to report your affair to the dean.”
Caleb gritted his teeth, his gut clenching with fury.
“Naturally, I was livid,” his father continued. “But I won’t pretend that a selfish part of me didn’t consider the benefits of you losing your teaching job. If the university terminated your contract and you found yourself blackballed from academia, you’d have no choice but to come back to the firm, which is where you belong.” He sighed. “But I quickly shut down that line of thinking. You’re a good man, Caleb. You haven’t hurt anyone. You haven’t repeated my mistakes or committed my sins. If anyone deserves a scandalous downfall, it’s me, not you.”
Caleb closed his eyes. “Dad?—”
“I persuaded Shara to reconsider, or at least I tried to. But you just never know with these things. Scorned women can be unpredictable,” his father said grimly. “Shara is a brilliant legal scholar who apparently isn’t smart enough to choose her enemies wisely. I could ruin her with one phone call?—”
“No,” Caleb said sharply. “I don’t need you to fight my battles. I’ll deal with Shara.”
“Of course, son. I didn’t raise no pussy. Speaking of which,” Crandall said slyly, “I should let you get back to sleep, though I don’t suspect you’ll be doing much resting. Give Miss Moreau my warm regards. I’ll keep you posted on the status of Ruth’s daughter and the baby.”
“Thanks, you do that.” As Caleb disconnected the call and reached over Daniela to set his phone down, she stirred awake. The thick, silky fringe of her lashes fluttered upward, those big doe eyes opening and settling on his face.
When a soft, dreamy smile curled her lips, his heart slammed against his ribs, and just like that, all thoughts of brewing trouble were wiped from his mind.
“Good morning,” Daniela whispered, her voice a little husky from sleep. “You stayed this time.”
His mouth twitched as he brushed a lock of hair from her face, his fingers skimming her cheek with the tender gesture. “I didn’t have much of a choice. I live here.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” She smiled again, and as he gazed down at the unblemished beauty of her face, he wondered what kind of fool he’d been to skip out—twice—on the simple pleasure of having her wake up in his arms.
A running-scared fool.
“Who was on the phone?” Daniela asked, covering a yawn behind her hand.
“My father.” Caleb told her about Ruth’s daughter, marveling as her eyes softened in concern for a complete stranger.
“I hope she and the baby will be all right,” she murmured.
Caleb could tell that she wasn’t merely mouthing an empty sentiment for his benefit; she genuinely meant what she said.
“I hope so, too.” Dipping his head, he brushed a soft kiss across her temple, then leaned back and smiled at her. “Monday’s Labor Day. What’re you doing this weekend?”
She chuckled softly. “You mean after I somehow manage to drag myself out of this bed and back to my own house?”
He grinned. “Or you could just stay here with me.”
