Page 65 of Mistletoe and Malice
“I need to set up a time to meet, once I’m done here, but I’d appreciate it if you could give me some pointers on how to get started. I know you’re busy and we can work?—”
“You name it, Cole, and I’ll be there. Any time.”
Taken aback by her use of the nickname, he stared at her. Only one person had ever called him Cole, and he hadn’t heard it for over four years. But somehow it sounded … right.
He cleared his throat. “Maybe when you don’t already have so many irons in the fire.”
She studied her tidy desk before turning to him. “We can do it now, or we can get together tomorrow after we get back from the boat christening. Whatever you’d like to do.”
“You have time now?”
“I have it.”
“Super. I’ll grab my notes. Meet you back here?”
“Sure thing.”
He started to leave but turned back. “Tell me. About that christening. Why are they christening a boat in November? Don’t they usually do these things when it’s actually warm?”
She giggled and put her mail down on her desk. “The Daytons got married three weeks ago and are taking a six-month honeymoon. They leave Sunday to sail down to the Caribbean. They’ll anchor there and island-hop a while before coming back here in May.”
“Ah. I see. A six-month honeymoon. I should have guessed. Doesn’t everybody take a six-month honeymoon?”
She giggled again. “Oh, I don’t know. A six-month honeymoon sounds pretty good.”
He gave her a nod before heading down the hall to his guest room. Yeah, it did, come to think of it. If one were fortunate enough to find that special someone to spend life with, why not?
If one were fortunate enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Riley flung her briefcase into a chair, her handbag and coat following. Taking a seat behind the desk, she sighed at the stack of mail and sundry other documents left for her.
She’d enjoyed the four-day weekend. The blood drive had been an enormous success, the boat christening a fun day with friends, and church yesterday had been a balm to her soul. Now it was time to get back to work. Shane should be as free as she was to enjoy his days with friends and family.
A hearty swallow of her Americano coffee and she was ready to dive in on this thankfully warmer Monday morning. Her phone buzzed as she reached for a stack of documents needing her signature. Appeared she would be hitting the ground running this morning.
“Yes, Hallie?”
“A Mr. Laraby on the line. Said he’s a lawyer calling about a potential case, but it’s apparently time-sensitive.”
Time-sensitive? Maybe a death penalty case? Her docket was full, so taking on another case wasn’t possible. But maybe she could provide a little guidance or refer him to an associate.
“Okay, put him through.”
She inventoried the documents on her desk while she waited. So much work. Hopefully, it would be a short call.
The phone buzzed again, and she picked it up. “Riley Hudson.”
Silence for a moment, then that chuckle that sent chills up her spine. “Miss me, Riley Hudson? It’s been a while since we’ve talked.”
Her heart racing, she sprang out of her chair, picked up a pen, and threw it at the window next to her office door. When it hit, Colton turned and looked in at her, his eyes narrowing as she motioned for him to come in.
She cleared her throat of the fear almost choking her. “Um … and you would be …?”
That snicker again. “Nice try, Miss Hudson.”
“Is it him?” Colton whispered, closing the door behind him.
