Kate turned and saw Elena and Benny watching her with hidden smiles. “Don’t worry,” Benny assured her. “You’ll notice I’m resigned to chopping duty because even after all these years, mine look like a five-year-old made them.”
“You just stick to bandaging arms and legs and saving lives and leave the tough stuff to me,” Daisy said, tilting her head charmingly at her sister.
“I’ve told you, Daisy, you should really consider opening up a bakery or restaurant. You’re an amazing cook.” Elena cleared her throat and Benny shot her mother a grin. “Thanks to the tutoring, of course, of our dear mama.”
Kate looked over and caught Elena’s eye, who smiled jovially and winked. Just like Dominic.
But Daisy’s own smile was more resigned now. “Maybe once upon a time, but now I have other things to think about. Bills to pay. My children to watch out for and feed.”
Kate turned her dough and attempted to copy Daisy’s quick movements. This was a perfect opportunity to try and fulfill her part of the bargain. And help Daisy, too. “You know, Dominic may have mentioned to me a little bit about your problem. With your husband.” She hazarded a look up and saw the other women had stopped their preparation for a minute and were watching her and Daisy carefully. “If you’re interested, maybe I can meet with you some time. Talk about what you can do to protect your interests.”
Daisy’s attention remained on almost pulverizing the next testal. “Thanks, Kate. But I couldn’t take your time like that without paying you, and right now, things are a little tight. I have an interview tomorrow. Maybe once I have more steady income, okay?”
“Actually, you would be helping me out. You see, at my firm, all associates are expected to put in a certain number of hours on pro bono work. That is, working for free for those clients who can’t afford legal representation otherwise. Anyhow, I have been so busy this year I don’t have nearly the number of hours I should.” Which wasn’t quite true, but it wasn’t like Daisy could verify this. “So helping you out with your case would help me meet the minimum, while at the same time h
elp you and your kids, too.”
Daisy looked at her with skepticism in those dark brown eyes. “Pro bono? I don’t know, Kate. Did Dominic put you up to this?”
Crap.
She hated lying, and especially to these wonderful women who were welcoming her so warmly. But she knew that if she told the truth, Daisy would outright refuse her and wouldn’t get the help she needed. “No. I mean, he mentioned what was happening, but I’m volunteering here on my own accord. I want to help.” That last part was 100 percent true and something in her tone must have assured the woman.
Daisy tossed the dough on the griddle and Kate watched as the little bubbles started to form across the surface. Kate tried one more time. “I’ll leave you my card, okay? No pressure. Take some time to think about it and when you’re ready, just give me a call and I’ll set up an appointment.”
Benny popped over and pulled one of the freshly made tortillas from the pile. “Sounds like a win-win to me. I don’t see the harm in you at least meeting with Kate, finding out your options.”
Daisy flipped the tortilla. “All right. Leave your card and I’ll consider it.”
Kate looked up and saw Benny and Elena smiling at her again. Embarrassed at their grateful looks, she returned a nervous smile.
They thought she was Dominic’s girlfriend. Here to meet his family because she loved and cared about him.
Maybe even wanted to make a future with him.
Would they still be as warm and appreciative if they knew that she and Dominic were lying to them all?
…
Dominic found the kids playing an active game of Wii Sports. From what he could tell watching the screen, Paul was beating his older sister up (virtually speaking) and hurling her into the water below, sending both girls into fits of giggles. It didn’t take them too long to convince him to give it a try, and fifteen minutes later, a remote in one hand and a nunchuk in the other, he was boxing his seven-year-old niece.
She was creaming him.
A sound from behind caught his attention. He turned to see Kate leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, trying unsuccessfully to control her mirth.
“Hey, this is harder than it looks,” he said, wiping his brow. “Care to give it a try?”
“And miss this entertainment? Not on your life.”
But Kate soon discovered his nieces and nephew were as persistent as they were cute and, after some cajoling and pleading, she was standing next to him with the controls in her hands.
“I’ll try to take it easy on you,” he challenged. “I know how competitive you can be.”
She smiled wickedly back at him. “Just try and keep up.”
She held her hands up in front of her and jabbed forward, completely missing his avatar. But she didn’t stop and after a few more jabs, she nailed him with a few solid hits that sent his avatar flying into the virtual water below.
The kids cheered, and Kate threw her head back and laughed. The sound was beautiful, as was her face when he glanced over to see her cheeks bright with the exercise, her eyes gleaming.