Finding Isadora(44)

He popped a pickled radish into his mouth. “That’s the bad part. The good is the money. For her and for me. These cases pay for the others. I charge a contingency fee. Less than other firms but still pretty hefty.”

“If you don’t win the case, you don’t get paid at all,” I pointed out.

He shot me a gleaming glance. “Ah, but I’m a very good lawyer, Isadora.”

I could believe it. I had a moment of epiphany. I liked the man and respected him. Disconcerted, I nibbled a slice of pickled cucumber and glanced at him under my eyelashes as he talked to my parents.

Theoretically, it was good to like and respect my future father-in-law. But when I added those feelings to the attraction I’d felt from the moment I first saw him, Gabriel was looking far too appealing. So much for my theory that when I got to know him as a real person rather than a sexy stranger, I’d stop feeling this weird pheromonal buzz.

He turned one of those intense gazes on me and I realized he’d caught me staring. I swallowed, the cucumber went down wrong, and I began to cough.

When Pogo and I left the apartment half an hour later—having firmly refused a ride from Gabriel—I was edgy. I’d come seeking peace of mind and left feeling even more unsettled. Recently, that had been happening a lot.





Chapter 7


I phoned Richard and left voice-mail saying I’d be spending the night at my folks’ place. I didn’t mention Alyssa, or the fact that I’d seen his father. Trying to conduct a relationship over the phone was pathetic. Hopefully we’d soon find the time to go apartment hunting.

Late in the afternoon, I took the bus back to my parents’ place, toting a backpack with some books and DVDs plus my overnight stuff. Knowing Jimmy Lee and Grace, they could be out to all hours.

My father came to greet me when I stepped into the apartment. Clinging to his hand was an elfin child with mocha skin, shy but sparkly brown eyes, and frizzy dark hair caught high in a ponytail. She reminded me of the cutest imaginable chocolate toy poodle.

From what Grace had said, Alyssa had been raised without many men in her life, but clearly she’d taken a shine to Jimmy Lee. Equally clearly, the feeling was mutual. It gave me both a chuckle and a pang of envy to see the doting expression on my father’s face.

The envy faded the moment Jimmy Lee gave me a warm smile and a wink. I leaned close to his ear and murmured, “So this is the child you’ve kidnapped.”

“Borrowed. Temporarily.”

I squatted down. “Hi, Alyssa. I’m Isadora. But if that’s too big a mouthful you can call me Izzie.”

“Hi,” the girl whispered, not attempting any form of my name.

“I hear we have something in common. Grace says you love animals, too.”

The response was a small nod.

“She’s been taking great care of our cats,” Jimmy Lee said.

“Good for you. I’ve got a couple of cats of my own, and a parrot. I have a little dog too, a terrier. He only has three legs.”

The girl’s eyes went big and round. “Three legs! Poor doggy.”

“He doesn’t think so. He doesn’t even seem to notice. He’s as fast on three legs as most dogs are on four. His name’s Pogo. If you want, you can meet him tomorrow when you come to visit my vet clinic.”

“Yes, please,” she murmured. And then, “Where is he now?”

“At home, guarding our apartment. Then he’s going to take my neighbor for a walk and make sure they both get their exercise.”

Grace came in from the bedroom. “Hi, Isadora. Jimmy Lee, it’s time we got going.”

I studied my mother, slim and graceful in worn jeans and an embroidered shirt, her long hair loose down her back. Gabriel couldn’t help but find her attractive.

“Don’t go,” Alyssa whispered, tugging on my father’s hand.

Quickly, I reached into my backpack. “Look what I have, Alyssa. Have you seen these movies? Which one would you like to watch tonight? And I brought some of the books I loved when I was your age, and all of them are about animals.”

Curiosity overcame shyness and the girl began to paw through the pile of books and DVDs.

My mom hugged me. “Thanks, Isadora. By the way, about lunch? And Gabriel?”

“What?” I asked warily.

“No-one can say you’re playing that ‘I’m your future daughter-in-law, please like me’ card.”

“Uh…” What, exactly, did she mean?

“I can’t say I agree with some of the things you said to him, but points to you for stating your opinion. The two of you strike some sparks”—she shrugged, and I winced, then she went on—”but that’s not a bad thing.”

Yes, it was. Thank heavens she’d misinterpreted the sparks. Or maybe it was me who was misinterpreting them. Goddess, but I was confused!

Fortunately, she changed the subject. “You and Alyssa have a good time. There’s chili in the oven, fruit on the counter, frozen yogurt in the freezer.”

“And I brought popcorn,” I said. “We’re all set. I hope your meeting’s productive.”

And, almost, I wished I was going with them. But soon, like Alyssa, I forgot everything else but enjoying our evening together. We ate chili in front of Beethoven, a family film starring a St. Bernard, then she had a bath and I tucked her up in the tiny spare room and read her a story. As much as I’d always known I was destined to be a vet, so had I known I wanted to be a mother one day.