“You wouldn’t let down a kid, would you, Judge Fairchild? Gabby’s counting on it.”
It was Tess’s turn to shake her head. “Shall I meet you there?”
“No, the meeting starts with an early family dinner at the Rude Rooster Diner before the rest of the entertainment.”
Tess gave her a fake scowl. “How did we get from the kid doing math homework at our last meeting to dinner and a play with the kid’s family at our next meeting?”
Bree offered an innocent appearing shrug. “No idea, Your Honor. But I’ll send you the time that we’ll plan to pick you up.”
As Bree left, Tess wondered how her convictions had ended up so far off course. Well, she wouldn’t let Gabby down, but Bree was just too enticing for someone who didn’t want her heart broken, for someone Bree didn’t really want a romantic relationship with. Once again, Tess promised herself that she’d keep her emotional distance from Bree, but she knew that promise seemed to only go as far as Bree’s actual distance was from her.
Chapter Thirteen
Tess was crammed in the back seat between Gabby and Bree while Hank drove the Tacoma pickup and Rachelle rode shotgun. Bree suspected that Tess hadn’t been sardine-style squeezed into a back seat for transport in ages, if ever. Bree was enjoying the proximity and Tess hadn’t complained.
Tess had left her hair down, as had Bree, and in a pale pink sweater and dark pair of slacks, Tess bore a very different look from the woman who wore a robe all week. When Tess had walked out her front door after they’d pulled into her driveway, Bree had felt the anticipation of the evening with an acute uptick of her pulse and a flood of heat between her thighs. So that Tess could scoot to the middle, Bree had jumped out to take a few deep breaths and remind herself that they were together to support Gabby. But being with Tess elevated it to a whole new level of enjoyment.
“So glad you could join us, Tess,” Hank said over his shoulder. “We feel a little responsible for the cabin screwup, Your Honor, so I’m really glad to finally get to meet you in person to apologize. And to meet the woman who survived a week in captivity with Bree.”
“No calling me Your Honor tonight,” Tess replied. “We’re here in honor of Gabby and her play.”
“That too, but the Rude Rooster Diner was a no brainer.” Bree poked her niece.
“I think that you’re along, Aunt Bree, because Tess agreed to come.” Gabby looked past Tess to Bree and offered her a grin.“Can’t be a meeting this time. Is it a date?”
Bree avoided looking directly at Tess. Bree had wanted to avoid a label-defining characterization of this evening. She knew what her professional obligations were, but she couldn’t seem to control her attraction to Tess whenever she was in her close proximity. And that made her come across as a total flake. Sleeping with the woman in Tahoe, walking away, wanting more, refusing to even allow a prolonged kiss…a total flake.
Bree had never been one to waver, yet she was now struggling to understand what she wanted in terms of the future and Tess. And now she was mixed up in the Commission’s investigation. How would Tess react if she eventually learned of her involvement?
“Actually, itisanother meeting,” Tess informed Gabby. “Justice waits for no one.” Tess gave Bree a side-eye glance. So much for trying to avoid a discussion of labeling this little get-together, emotional quagmire that it was.
“Well, I’m glad you came, and that I get to pay you back for helping pick me up when Aunt Bree’s car broke down,” Gabby replied. “And anytime I can help you spend time with Aunt Bree…”
“Gabby, I know you like Tess and love Bree, but they don’t need a matchmaker tonight.” Rachelle turned around from up front. “I see the rude rooster on its pole, so we’re here.”
“Saved by a giant bad-mannered chicken boy.” Gabby laughed, and they all joined in as they pulled into the parking lot—even Tess, and that relieved Bree.
“I hope you brought a whole lot of math homework to do during dinner,” Bree said. “So many equations to solve that you won’t have time to give Tess and me any advice. Or you could practice your lines for the play.”
“If I don’t know them by now…” Gabby hopped out on her side, then threw back over her shoulder, “I hear you, Aunt Bree.”
Bree stepped out of the truck and then leaned back in to offer Tess a hand as she slid from the middle of the bench seat. Tess hesitated before she grasped it, but then even after she’d made her exit, Tess didn’t let go. They walked hand in hand behind the other three to the diner door.
Bree let herself silently binge on the linkage of their laced fingers, on the warmth and smoothness of the skinscape of Tess’s palm against hers. Tess finally dropped the connection as they entered the diner. Bree felt the separation but wanted to let Tess define the rules for tonight, for a meeting that wasn’t a date. As practiced as the mask was that Tess wore, it was also clear that Tess’s feelings were fragile, and Bree knew that she was the reason.
“Gabby, what do you suggest I order here?” Tess asked once they were all seated and had perused the menu options. “Your burger recommendation at Maria’s Café was not my normal fare, but it was delicious.”
Gabby sat across the table from Tess and Bree with a parent on each side. She glanced down at her menu for a moment. “With that bird watching right here”—Gabby pointed at the image of a rooster on the page—“I’d hate to eat one of his chicken buddies. You could go for the barnyard competition or you could order seafood.”
Tess nodded as she continued to study the menu. “So maybe I’ll skip the cock-a-doodle-do burger and the pork on your fork and go for something from the ocean.”
“Just don’t pick the Rocky Mountain oysters because they’re not from the ocean. They’re barnyard and disgusting.” Gabby wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I almost ordered them once. Saved by the waitress.”
“Got it.” Tess chuckled. “Is the Crab Louie safe?”
“If you don’t mind eating a crab named Louie. I’m sure chicken boy would approve. Or you could check out theappetizers,” Gabby suggested.
“I don’t think that’s what the Louie means, but now you’re making me feel guilty.” Bree turned and looked at Tess. “And guilty is a word with consequences in our profession.”
