Tyler lowered himself onto one of the gray visitor’s chairs in front of Donovan’s desk. “Rose was a little...”
“Aloof?”
“Yes, but she wasn’t like that the first time I met her.”
“I’d wondered about that.”
“And Iris loves her. She, Rose and Lily are very close. And a lot alike.”
Donovan had wondered about that, too. But why had she been so cold and abrupt during lunch? “Did you tell her that I needed a lawyer?”
“No.” Tyler’s response was swift and definite. “I never mentioned it. I didn’t think you’d want me to.”
“I didn’t.” Donovan rubbed his forehead with his right hand. What should I do now? “I’d hoped to at least tell Rose about the shelter’s situation, but she doesn’t seem very approachable.”
“Do you want me or Iris to speak with her?”
Donovan was shaking his head before Tyler finished his thought. “I don’t want to put either of you in the middle. This is my problem.”
“When are you going to understand that when one of us has a problem, we all have a problem?” Tyler’s frown was chastising. “That’s the way family works.”
“You know it’s hard for me to accept help.” Donovan restrained himself from squirming on his seat.
“This isn’t for you. It’s for the shelter’s clients, the families you’re trying to support.”
“You’re right.” The truth in Tyler’s words brought Donovan up short. “But I’ll be the one to talk with Rose.” If he decided it wouldn’t be a waste of time.
Tyler spread his hands. “There’s no harm in asking her, Van.”
“So I’ve heard.” He’d always hated that saying. “I may be asking too much, though. I need an experienced lawyer who cares about the case, but I also need someone who’s willing to work for free.”
“It’s for an important cause.”
Donovan swung his seat to better contemplate the cerulean, cloudless sky from his office window. Summer finally had landed in Columbus. They’d had a long and difficult winter, followed by a petulant spring. Although born and raised in Chicago—a much colder city—Donovan had lived in Columbus long enough to breathe a sigh of relief when the first rays of summer brought warmer temperatures.
“Most of the board supports filing the statement against allowing the pawnshop to move into our neighborhood. But a few members don’t.” Donovan spun his chair to face Tyler. “It’s hard keeping the board together and focused on the plan. I’d like a lawyer who’s sympathetic to our position so that I’m not pulling both the board and the lawyer.”
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Tyler quoted the line from Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man.
Donovan gave a half smile at the reminder. “The other board members are looking for lawyers, too.” Although Donovan suspected they weren’t having any better luck than he was. No one had called him with recommendations. He swallowed another sigh.
Tyler checked his bronze wristwatch. “I thought you said your response was due next month? Today’s June 22. You’re running out of time.”
And options. “I know. If we don’t find a lawyer who’ll work with us pro bono, I’ll propose that the board members pool our money to pay a lawyer.”
“How do you think that will go over?” Tyler arched a skeptical brow.
“Not well. It’s also a poor precedent to set.”
“If I were you, I’d talk with Whitley before suggesting the board split the bill.” Tyler stood to leave.
“You’re probably right.” The thought of asking h
is ex-girlfriend for a favor turned his stomach.
As Tyler left his office, Donovan’s thoughts returned to Rose. She would be a far better option than Whitley, but he’d have to offer her a proposal she couldn’t refuse.
* * *