Under the gray skies, Megan stood on the steps of the courthouse with her newly appointed attorney, Phoebe Blue. The woman’s long dark hair, and shapely form seemed more suited for a career on fashion runways than in stuffy courtrooms. Phoebe’s eyes fit her name perfectly. Pale blue and mesmerizing.
“We have a lot of ground to cover before next Tuesday, Mrs. Lunceford. Let’s go to Lucy’s and grab a bite. We can talk about your case over lunch.”
Seven days in Destiny. Oh God. Her head was swimming with worry.
“Call me Megan, please,” she requested, wondering how in the world she would be able to navigate the next week. Dread twisted her stomach into a pretzel of nerves.
Phoebe smiled. “It’s a deal, Megan, if you promise to call me by my name, too.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “How long have you known the Knight brothers, Phoebe?”
“My whole life, but that won’t be a problem. I’m working for you now. They’re friends, but the law is the law and business is business. The court has ordered me to help you and that’s exactly what I am going to do to the best of my ability.”
Megan was relieved to have someone on her side, but still… “It’s going to be a tough case, isn’t it?”
“Very. Eric and Scott aren’t the kind of guys to give up easily. I saw Dylan Strange behind them. I’m betting he’s got some evidence that points to you.”
“I’m innocent, Phoebe. I swear.” She’d found it hard to look at the Knight brothers but couldn’t resist a peek at the copresidents of TBK several times out of the corner of her eyes. She’d expected the Knights to be much older, like typical corporate billionaire moguls were. They weren’t. She would guess them to be in their late twenties. Eric was the one who seemed most
comfortable in a suit and tie. Scott, as the judge had pointed out, was not so much. Eric’s face was handsome, with chiseled features and a five-o’clock shadow, which highlighted his square jaw perfectly. Scott had the most beautiful lips she’d ever seen on any man. Eric’s eyes were big, blue, and daring. Scott’s were a rich chocolate color. Both had thick, finger-tempting dark hair.
Recalling the two billionaires’ intensity and dangerous demeanors made her tremble again.
Phoebe’s cell rang. “One second, Megan.” She put it to her ear. “Hey, Ashley. You’re already at the office? Good. Clear my calendar today and tomorrow. The Stone brothers and their fiancée were in the courtroom, too. I’m sure they’ll understand why I have to delay getting their new wills finished for a couple of days. Great. I’ll bring all her records with us after Mrs. Lunceford and I have lunch.” Phoebe turned to her and nodded. “Tough case for sure, but I believe this client is well worth our best efforts. Okay. Bye.” Phoebe tucked her phone back into her purse. “Ashley’s my paralegal. I couldn’t make it without her. Now, where were we?”
“I was telling you I was innocent.”
Her attorney’s eyes narrowed for a moment before widening. “I believe you.”
“I can’t tell you how much that means to me, Phoebe. I know Judge O’Leary assigned you to my case, but I have no money to pay you. I wish I did.”
“Relax. I’ll get a little compensation from the court. Not my normal hourly rate, but it will do. What do you think of Destiny so far?” Phoebe’s tone sounded much like pride to her ears.
As they walked down the courthouse’s front steps, Megan noticed the sky beginning to clear. “Just drove in right before court. I didn’t have much time to take in the sights.” No credit cards. No money. How was she going to make it until her hearing? She swallowed hard, but it didn’t ease her anxiety.
“This must be your car,” Phoebe said, stopping right in front of Granny Gremlin.
“It is, but how would you know that?”
“Small-town folks don’t miss much.” Phoebe peered inside. “Destiny has never had this kind of car on its streets before. That computer in the passenger seat is a real dinosaur. God, it is big. After lunch, I’ll send someone to retrieve it. How long have you had this car, Megan?”
“She’s not much to look at, but this old thing and I have been through so much together,” Megan said. “That might be hard to understand.”
“See my truck over there?” Phoebe pointed to a rusted Ford that had to be even older than Granny Gremlin. “My granddad gave that to me when I graduated high school. My brothers tease me all the time about keeping it, but I will never let it go. I understand better than most, Megan.”
“I’m glad,” she said, pleased that Phoebe was handling her case.
Phoebe crossed the street and began walking down the sidewalk. “You noticed the crowd behind us, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “I was shocked to see so many people. There must’ve been other cases.”
Phoebe shook her head. “Nope. Your case is the biggest buzz in Destiny right now. They’ll all be there next Tuesday, too.”
“I’m sure that most are on the Knight brothers’ side.” The whole audience would be against her. Phoebe was her only ally.
The beautiful attorney nodded. “They are local guys, so you’re probably right.”
“That’s why I opted on a trial with a judge instead of a jury. Was that a mistake? Ethel seems very fond of the Knights.”