Anything You Can Do(75)

"I have something very important to tell you," he shouted.

"Go away before I call the police!"

That was progress. She was speaking to him now. "Go ahead. I know a good lawyer." There was no sound of laughter from behind the closed door. "Bailey, I want to apologize. Please let me in."

"I can hear you just fine."

No doubt about it; she was definitely the most infuriating woman he'd ever met. If he could only figure out how to be happy without her in his life, he'd walk away. But he couldn't. "I was wrong," he said.

"Speak up. I can't hear you."

"I was wrong! I apologize. I should have never doubted you." If she ever forgave him, he'd strangle her for making him stand outside shouting for all the world to hear.

The door remained closed.

"I got a copy of your motion to be released as Candy Miller's attorney of record. Bailey, I'm so sorry. I thought—"

The door burst open, cutting him off in midsentence, and she stood there with Samantha in the crook of one arm. His relief at seeing her, even though she was glowering at him, told him how anxious he'd been.

"Where did you get a copy of that motion?" she demanded.

"In the mail, from your office, of course." He reached inside his coat pocket, withdrew the paper, and unfolded it.

"Let me see that." She snatched it from him with her free hand, studied it a minute, then turned back into her apartment, trying to push the door closed with one foot.

"Damn it!" Austin shoved his way inside. "It's bad enough you won't return my phone calls or answer the door, but stealing my document and closing the door in my face is going too far! I may be in love with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to put up with your bad temper and bad manners!"

She stalked across the room, set Samantha on the floor, and picked up the telephone. He was relieved to see that the number she punched in had too many digits to be 911.

Bailey listened impatiently to the sound of Stafford Morris' telephone ringing. He'd better be home, because she needed an answer now!

The ringing stopped and she heard Stafford's voice. "I have here in my hand a copy of that blasted motion, signed by you as well as Margaret," she declared, dispensing with the formalities.

"Did you disturb me at home to tell me that? Obviously I already knew about it since I signed it."

"You said you weren't going to file it!" She waved the paper in the air as though he could see the gesture.

"No," he denied. "I just asked you why we should file it."

"And I told you why, as I recall." One foot began to tap the carpeted floor.

"You did. And a damn good job of it too. We may put you into more courtroom work."

"Why didn't you tell me you'd filed it? You deliberately misled me. "

"I tried to tell you, but you were too busy campaigning for the underdog and smashing my cigars."

Okay, she had to give him that point, but it only reminded her of the other reason she was angry at him. "So what are you going to do about the problems with the staff, now that we're on the subject?"

"If you stay around long enough to be an official partner and learn to talk below a roar, we might discuss what can be done."

"Well, yes, I can do that."

"Fine. Good-bye." He hung up.

Bailey cradled her own receiver. Stafford Morris still had a knack for taking the wind out of her sails. A little calmer, she turned back to face the storm in her living room.

Austin stood just inside the still open door, his expression intent and anxious. Waiting to see if she'd forgive him? Was it possible her forgiveness meant that much to him?

Then it hit her like a Kansas tornado. Somewhere amidst his ramblings, he'd said he loved her. For an instant her heart soared, the empty spot in her chest filling with a warm glow. Austin loved her. The halcyon days weren't over; they were just beginning. She took one eager step toward him, watched his lips relax into a smile and his arms come up to reach for her.

But reality intruded. He couldn't love her very much when he didn't trust her, had to have proof of her integrity. She halted in front of him. Wordlessly she proffered the wrinkled legal paper.

He returned it to his pocket then reached for her. "Why don't we go out and grab a bite to eat?" His arms pulling her close felt treacherously good.