The Lawyer

by Olivia Saxton

“Why don’t you boys bring in some more wood from outside, since Ted wants to get his bag. Trish, there should be a kerosene heater in your bedroom closet, but you do have the fireplace in the living room,” Mr. Jacobs said.

  “Oh, what a great idea,” Darlene cheerfully said.

  “What is?” Trish asked.

  “We’ll sleep in front of the fireplace. It will be like camping and a sleepover all in one,” Darlene answered.

  “Absolutely not. Why are we going to sleep on the floor when I have a bed big enough for two?” Trish asked with annoyance.

  “I’ll get the sleeping bags out of the garage,” Darlene said and walked away.

  “Darlene,” Trish called.

  She disappeared into the darkness of the kitchen.

  “I don’t think she heard you,” Teddy said, and then chuckled.

  Trish blew out an exasperated breath.

  “Can’t say I blame you, I prefer a comfortable bed myself,” David stated.

  An image of David stretched out in a king sized bed with satin sheets sprung in her mind. Shirtless with his hands behind his head. She shook her head, trying to clear away the image. She was immediately grateful that the room was dim; she shuddered to think what her faced looked like at the moment.

  Chapter 13

  David’s arms were full of wood, so he lifted his booted foot to bang on the door. Since the woodpile was in the backyard, he thought it would be best to go through Trish’s entrance. Trish opened the door, and David quickly rushed in with blown snowflakes following behind him.

  “Whew,” she said and quickly closed the door to keep more snow from coming in. “I forgot how these Pennsylvania winters can be.”

  “Where do you want this?” he asked.

  Trish pointed towards the fireplace. “Put them on the left side of that wood stack, please.”

  David did as she asked. She followed behind him. “You didn’t have to bring in any more wood. I already had some.”

  “I know. That’s what you said upstairs. We don’t know how long the power will be out. I wanted to make sure you stayed warm,” he said and knelt to sit the wood down.

  Trish smiled.

  There was a green candle lit on the coffee table, and another one was on the kitchen counter. David stood up and pulled off his gloves, stuffing them in his coat pocket. He ran his hands through his thick dark hair to shake the snowflakes out.

  “Let me help you,” she said and reached for his coat.

  His body tensed as Trish unzipped his coat.

  “Turn around,” she said sweetly.

  He quietly turned so she could pull his coat from his shoulders.

  “I’ll put this on the banister so it can dry,” she said and walked away.

  “Thanks,” he mumbled. David noticed that she had changed into tight black thermal pajamas that hugged her body like a second skin. He knew he should go back upstairs, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “I see you got a fire started.”

  Trish turned around to face him. “Yes, it’s small, but it works.”

  “I’ll stoke it up for you.” Feeling odd about the words, he quickly grabbed a log and poker. David kneeled down in front of the fireplace. Trish walked over to him and kneeled beside him.

  “Expert at handling fires?”

  “I have to be in my profession. Usually, I try to put them out, not start them,” he said as he blew and poked at the fire.

  “I’m sorry you got trapped with us. I assure you that wasn’t what Mr. Jacobs had in mind.”

  David smiled. “No big deal. At least I have good company.”

  Trish brought a hand up to her chest. “Why, Mr. Shaw, was that a compliment?” she joked.

  “I was speaking of Mr. Jacobs and Darlene.” He smirked.

  Trish laughed. “Of course. How ignorant of me.”

  David’s heart warmed at the sound of her laugh. “You know I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh.” He put the poker down and sat on the floor.

  She did the same. “I guess I haven’t had much to laugh about lately.”

  For some reason, David wanted to change that. “Well, it’s not like I tell jokes at the office.”

  Trish looked down at her lap.

  He turned to look at her. “Did I remember to thank you for today?”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “It was a sweet gesture.”

  Trish looked up at him. “That was a compliment…for you.” She cleared her throat. “I never thought you would use the word sweet to describe me.” Her eyes were wide with surprise.

  He kept looking at her. “I hate to admit it, but you are starting to grow on me. I guess you can’t say the same for a drill sergeant like me.”

  Trish rotated her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. Drill sergeant might be a bit harsh. You’re just serious. I mean you are a lawyer. I understand that.”

  “Careful. That almost sounded like a compliment,” he teased.

  Trish laughed and he did, too.

  She looked at the fire. “Wow, you really got the fire going now.”

  “I can’t have my secretary catching a cold.”

  “How considerate of you.”

  “I think so.”

  She looked at him again with a smile. He smiled back at her.

  “I appreciate it. Luckily, you only have to put up with me for a short time,” she said.

  “What are your plans? I mean, after the divorce is final.”

  Trish tilted her head. “I don’t know. I’m not worried about it. I mean, once it’s finalized the skies the limit, right?”

  “For dating?” He wanted to take the question back, but it was too late. He knew it was none of his business, but he wanted to know.

  “I guess,” she said and began fingering the end of her dark hair while averting her gaze.

  “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

  “It’s okay,” she stammered.

  “No, it’s not. I didn’t mean-.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  “You didn’t. I was just…surprised by the question.”

  His hand moved to her cheek. David’s thumb lightly stroked the lower half of her cheek.

  “It’s fine. I guess I should get used to the question,” she whispered.

  David leaned his head closer to hers. His thumb gently rubbed her full lips, and her eyelids fluttered closed. He cursed his lack of self-control. He closed the distance between them with a kiss. Gathering her into his arms, he planted her across his lap. The tip of David’s tongue slid across her bottom lip as she wrapped her arms around his neck. David leaned her down an inch, and his tongue dipped into her warm, welcoming mouth. He breathed her in. God, he wanted her- more than he had this morning. There was no use in denying it. It was more than raging hormones, it was her- something about her made him feel alive.

  “David!” Ted yelled. “You down there?”

  A deep groan escaped from his throat, and he broke the kiss. He turned his head towards the stairs. “Yeah,” he answered with as little frustration in his voice as possible.

  “Good. You’re back inside. What are you doing down there?” Ted asked.

  Trish tried wiggling out of his embrace. He tightened his arms around her to keep her from escaping.

  David turned his head back to Trish and smiled. “I’m starting a fire for Trish.”

  Her dark brown eyes widened.

  “Oh, okay,” Ted replied. “See you when you come up.”

  “Okay,” David said. He was about to kiss her again when she placed two fingertips over his lips.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” she said.

  David opened his mouth. The tip of his tongue grazed her fingertips.

  Her breath caught, and she moved her fingers away. “We really shouldn’t be doing this.”

  “Why? Is it because I’m white?”

  Trish’s eyebrows shot up. “What? No,” she said shaking her hea
d.

  “Then, what is it?” he asked and brought her hand back to his mouth, kissing the back of it.

  “We hate each other,” she answered.

  He pulled her hand over his shoulder, and her arm rested next to his neck. “Do we, really?” He gave her a quick kiss.

  She took in a sharp breath. “I work for you.”

  He pulled her closer and nuzzled his face against her neck. His lips lightly pressed against her neck. “I don’t think we hate each other as much as we thought. Also, if you want to get technical about it, I work for you as well. So, we work for each other…in more ways than one,” he said in a deep voice. He continued kissing her neck.

  She let out a moan. “Oh, you do have a way with words, Mr. Shaw.”

  “I have to be in my profession, Ms. Truman,” he mumbled between kisses.

  “We should set boundaries,” she breathed.

  He raised his head and looked into her eyes. “What do you propose?”

  “Okay, we are attracted to each other- physically, but mentally we have nothing in common. Our personalities don’t match.”

  “Have you ever heard of opposites attract?”

  “Nevertheless, we should…I propose that we keep an arm’s length distance between us at all time. Maybe even two arms.”

  A wicked smile crossed his lips. “I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.”

  Trish’s mouth dropped open.

  “Hey, I hope you guys got it toasty down there!” Darlene yelled.

  The sound of Darlene coming down the stairs made Trish wiggle her way out of David’s hold. She pushed her hands against David’s chest and scrambled to her feet. She was walking away from him as Darlene opened the door. David chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?” Darlene asked as she came down the apartment stairs.

  “Ah, you know, Trish’s wit,” he replied.

  “You’re actually laughing at something she said?” Darlene commented with confusion.

  Trish kept her back turned to David.

  Darlene walked to Trish. “Are you okay? You look like you got a fever.”

  David coughed to cover up the laugh he wanted to let out as he stood up.

  “I’m fine,” Trish said and looked down at the plastic bag and sleeping bags Darlene was carrying. “What’s that crap? I told you I wasn’t playing camping Ms. Daisy.”

  “Oh, come on. Where’s your sense of fun?” Darlene asked.

  “Yeah, Trish,” David said with a smile.

  Trish whipped her head around and glared at him.

  “Hey, boy! Get yourself upstairs so the girls can get settled!” Mr. Jacobs yelled with a slur.

  “You ladies stay warm. Sweet dreams,” David said and started whistling as he headed for the stairs. He grabbed his coat off the banister without missing a beat in his melody.

  *******

  Darlene stared at David leaving. After the door closed, she looked back at Trish “Did I interrupt some-”

  “You just interrupted him being a jerk as usual,” Trish said and folded her arms.

  “I see. Are you sure-.”

  “Just lay down the sleeping bags.”

  “Yes,” Darlene said. She celebrated her victory by dancing towards the fireplace.

  “I’m not eating any s’mores. It’s too late for that.” Trish grabbed the bag of food Darlene brought.

  “Oh, all right. We’ll do it tomorrow.”

  Trish blew out a breath and placed the bag on the kitchen counter and walked back to the living room.

  Once the girls laid out the sleeping bags, they lay down. After a couple of minutes, Darlene spoke.

  “Trish?”

  “Darlene, I am not telling you a bedtime story,” Trish said with her eyes closed.

  Darlene chuckled. “No, I’m going to tell you one.”

  “Oh,” Trish said drowsily.

  “In the kitchen, after you left….before the power went out, Ted was about to kiss me.”

  Trish smiled and opened one eye. “That’s nice, honey.”

  “Yes, but it would have been nicer if we actually got to do it.”

  “Maybe we can arrange for you two to be alone again, without interruptions,” Trish murmured and closed her eye.

  “Trish?”

  “What?”

  “What were you and David doing down here? He seemed awfully cheerful when he left.”

  “I told you. He was being a jerk as usual. He likes getting a rise out of me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Goodnight, Darlene,” Trish said and drifted off to sleep as she fantasized about David.

  Chapter 14

  Ted and David wore sweat suits under the covers to stay warm. Since they were in Ted’s size, David’s were a little tight. The sleeves didn’t come to his wrists and skin showed around his ankles. David didn’t complain; it was good to have a brother who was always prepared for anything.

  David felt a nudge in his side. He opened his eyes and turned on his back to look at his brother.

  “Were you sleep?” Ted asked.

  David’s temper flared. “You know I was,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “All right, man, sorry. Look, let’s go downstairs to see what the girls are doing.”

  David would love to see Trish, but he wanted to on his terms. “I’m not getting shot by Devil Anse Hatfield.”

  “That old man got so drunk he probably won’t wake up until noon.”

  “Forget it,” David said and rolled back over to go back to sleep.

  “What were you doing in Trish’s apartment?”

  “I told you. Getting a fire started.”

  “Yeah, but your tone when you said it. Sounded like you were doing something else.”

  It was a good thing David’s back was turned to hide the smile on his face. “I wasn’t,” he said and closed his eyes.

  “I almost kissed Darlene tonight,” Ted confessed.

  David opened his eyes. “What?”

  “I said-.”

  “I heard you, but why? She’s not your type.”

  “And what is my type?”

  “Cheap and easy.”

  “Ha.”

  “Seriously, Ted. Darlene is a nice girl.”

  “I know that.”

  “You’re a playboy. Nice girls want to settle down, get married, and have children. You’re not that type.”

  “Yeah, but I find her shyness cute…and refreshing.”

  “Just don’t break her heart.”

  “Flirting isn’t hurting. With that being said, let’s see what the girls are doing.”

  “They’re probably asleep, like we should be…like I was.”

  “How often do we get to hang out with beautiful ladies- together?”

  David groaned. “You’re not going to let me go back to sleep are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “All right, but if Mr. Jacobs wakes up, I’m pushing you towards the barrel,” David said as he slung the covers off.

  “If they are sleeping, we will wake them up with our charm.” Ted cheerfully hopped up and grabbed a silver flashlight from the nightstand.

  Ted slowly opened the bedroom door and gingerly walked into the hall. David followed him. “It’s a good thing we’re wearing socks.”

  “Shh,” Ted said.

  They made their way to the stairs. Ted held his hand up to David, motioning him to stop. Ted took two more steps down and peeked out under the overlook. David could hear Mr. Jacobs snoring. Ted waved David to follow as they made their way down the rest of the stairs. On the last step, David stepped on a squeaky floorboard under the carpet. It was loud enough to make Mr. Jacobs stir, and the Shaw brothers stopped dead in their tracks. David itched to go back upstairs, but he was afraid he would make more noise going up than they did coming down. David’s heart started to race. Mr. Jacobs was covered with what looked like three blankets. The fire in the fireplace was going strong, and the light from it illuminated the room. They waited until Mr. Jacob
s was in a deep sleep again. Ted cut his flashlight off.

  Ted took a couple of steps into the living room, and David followed a few steps behind. They passed the back of the couch and reached the basement door. Ted opened it - slowly. The hinges hummed a long, loud creak. The brothers looked at each other and slowly turned their heads towards the couch. David could see the shotgun on the floor in front of the sofa- close enough for Mr. Jacobs to reach it if roused. Mr. Jacobs let out a few loud hog snorts, but he continued to slumber.

  Ted squeezed through the crack, and David followed suit. He was about to close the door behind him, but Ted turned around and shook his head. Ted turned his flashlight back on. They slowly went down the stairs. Ted opened the door to Trish’s apartment a little faster than the previous one. It didn’t make a sound. David was relieved that they got this far without hassle. Ted opened it wider to let David walk through first. Ted walked behind him and closed the door. David made his way down the stairs - a little less carefully.

  They walked around the sofa. The girls were sound asleep as the firelight glowed across their bodies. The candle on the coffee table was still lit. Trish lay on her stomach and Darlene laid on her side. David could tell the fire needed another log.

  “They look like angels,” Ted whispered. “It’s almost a shame to wake them.”

  “Maybe we shouldn’t,” David whispered as he watched Trish breathing deeply.

  “Psst…psst,” Ted hissed out.

  Darlene stirred.

  “Wake up, sunshine,” Ted said.

  Darlene’s eyes fluttered open. She turned her head and gasped.

  “Ah, look at those natural baby blues. We’re looking at the deep blue sea, David,” Ted said with a grin.

  Darlene giggled.

  The side of David’s mouth cocked up with amusement.

  Trish’s head popped up and quickly turned to look at the Shaw brothers. “And I’m looking at a natural ass-whoopin’. What are you two doing down here?”

  “We couldn’t sleep,” Ted said cheerfully.

  “Correction. He couldn’t sleep,” David said.

  “Let’s get the party started,” Ted announced.

  Trish was incredulous. “Party- my- ass. What if Mr. Jacobs catch you down here?”

  Ted looked at David. “Ooo, she’s grumpy when she wakes up,” he teased.