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I snort laugh. “Grandpa! Where did you learn that term, ‘all the feels’?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
I shake my head and silently thank the guys at the diner who’ve already taken my grandfather under their wing.
New Hedge can be a pretty decent place, and a good place to raise a family.
An ache rises in my gut. I want to raise a family of my own in my hometown.
And I want that with Theo.
Chapter 29
Theo
I’m finishing my workday by going over details of the Fleming case and drinking my fifth cup of the receptionist Charlotte’s homemade, from scratch, hot chocolate. We’re talking a mix of melted milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate, a specialty vanilla milk, and a splash of heavy cream.
I’m going to hate the day when things like this hot chocolate stick to me. I still have my figure, so until then, I’m going to drink my five cups and enjoy them.
Except I probably shouldn’t have because I’m not feeling so well when Weatherby walks in my office. The look of concern on his face doesn’t help things, either.
“Theo,” he says with a slight nod. “You have a minute?”
“I do.” I straighten the piles on my desk. I figure if I can see at least forty percent of the wooden desktop, it’s clean enough.
“Tell me about the Fleming case.” His brow hangs low over his eyes as he eases down into the chair across from me.
Nerves zip through me, and my stomach feels worse. “I was actually working on it right now.” I glance at the tab on my computer that has my notes for the case. “Court is scheduled for Friday. I’m going to meet with the client tomorrow to make sure we’re good to go.”
Weatherby clamps his lips together a moment. “Have you met with the prosecuting attorney?”
I nod, shifting in my seat. “I did yesterday. I think I’m seeing things differently now.”
“I know criminal isn’t your thing. I get it. You’re a positive person, a happy guy most of the time. I can see criminal law being something you don’t enjoy, and that’s fine, but this case is vital to your progression in the law.”
“It has challenged my perspectives, which is a good thing,” I concede. “The prosecutor wants to work with us. He wants to offer probation, community service, and the completion of a year-long, once a week, mental health program for the charges to go away. If the judge will agree to that.”
“Wow, that’s great.” Weatherby leans back in his chair, staring at me. “Do you know why I gave you this case?”
I rotate back and forth in my chair, my knee bobbing up and down a mile a minute. “You said it would round out my experience. That it would be good for me.”
“Uh huh. That’s true. But that’s not the main reason. You needed this case to find your heart.”
“What?” At the mention of the word “heart” my mind flashes to Aria. But I know he’s not referring to romance or love.
“It’s tough representing a criminal, especially one you don’t jive with,” he says. “And I know you don’t jive with Marty Fleming.”
“I guess I don’t, but it’s unethical to have that affect my job.”
“I hope you’re finding some things out about yourself during this process. I know a little bit about your dad.” He lifts his shoulder. “Just what’s on public record and I put two and two together.”
At my groan, he shows me his palms. “Hey, I had to before I hired you.”
“What does my dad’s actions have to do with anything?”
“Your dad, well, he was known in the Denver area as something of a friend to the bad guys. He liked working with criminals, didn’t he? In fact, he seemed to be all the drug dealers’ favorite dude. Until he suddenly wasn’t.”
My chest burns. “Well, I was only five, so I didn’t know at the time. But I eventually found out some of it. He ran away back east when he’d made so many enemies that it was uncomfortable for him to stick around here.”
