Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
She moved toward him and then she was right where she wanted to be—in his arms.
“I want you, too, baby. I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much,” he said as the courtroom erupted in cheers.
She went on her toes and kissed him.
“Are you done, Quaid?” the judge asked.
She thought Quaid gave the judge a thumbs-up, but she was too busy kissing him to be sure.
“Judgment for the plaintiff. Geraldine, keep your clothes on,” the judge said. “I’m going fishing and I’m retiring if the two of you are going to keep this up. Case closed.”
She got her man and she’d won the case?
That felt like a perfect day to her.
epilogue
Four months later
Jayna looked out over the big crowd gathered at the fundraiser and felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
She’d fought and the law had not won, the law in this case being Quaid’s mom, who had insisted that a fundraiser should be elegant and not some family-style barbecue with a local band who was last scheduled to play at the opening of the zoo Herve tried to put in his backyard. She’d managed to get that project shut down and had found a new place for Herve to put his energy.
He was teaching automotive workshops for area youth, helping them try out the idea of being a mechanic so they would know if a trade school would be good for them. She’d worked with Sylvie Darois to use the rec center for a series of interactive classes about possible professions. Quaid had talked to students about law school and what it meant to be a lawyer. Celeste Beaumont was mentoring teens interested in business. Harry Jefferys taught basic carpentry.
She was already making a difference and she’d just gotten started.
“Hey, sweetheart, where do you want this potato salad? The café sent ten pounds but I’m not sure that’s going to be enough. That deputy is here, and he can eat.” Her mother had her hands full. “I swear I watched him eat two full meals for dinner the other night when we were at Lucille’s.”
Jayna gave her a big smile. They weren’t perfect, but they were talking and getting along. They’d both apologized for the things they’d said the night of their big fight and were working on their relationship. Her mom had even come out to Havery House with Sienna and the girls for dinner several times. Her mother and Quaid’s mom had found they liked to talk about how stubborn their children were. It was a bonding experience for them. “The café’s booth is set up at the back.”
Her mom winked. “All my girlfriends from the plant are coming out tonight. We even convinced management to donate.”
That was good news, but then she’d managed to get several of the businesses around the parish to donate large sums of money. Between Marian’s connections and her own belief in never giving up, they were going to get everything she wanted for the Wilson Havery Memorial Wing of the Papillon Public Library.
“Thanks, Mom,” she said. “I’ll join you and Sienna and the girls for dinner.”
“We’ll look forward to it,” her mom promised. “And bring Quaid. You know I love to look at that handsome man.”
Jayna laughed as her mom walked off. Her mom was definitely getting more comfortable with her future in-laws.
She was going to marry that man. There was no doubt in her mind that he would ask. After all, she’d gotten a peek at the new outline for the next Armand Landry mystery. Quaid had a plan to revise his books so that each included the police detective who suddenly looked a lot like her. Shannon now had short, chic hair and brown eyes, and she was trouble that Armand loved to get into.
And in the next book, Armand was going to ask her to marry him. A happily ever after for Quaid’s hero was definite proof that her own was coming.
A big arm wound around her waist, and she couldn’t help but smile. Speak of that Cajun devil. “Hey, babe.”
“Hey, you,” Quaid whispered in her ear. “I have crazy news for you.”
She turned because that could mean anything. “Tell me Geraldine is happy with the trellis. I don’t think Judge Brewer can handle another trial.”
Despite the judgment, Jimmy had felt bad and worked with Harry Jefferys to build a beautiful trellis that skirted the parish’s codes and blocked out the sight of the gas station. The community, it seemed, took care of its own no matter what the legal system claimed was due.
Quaid always looked relaxed now, even when he was knee-deep in legal briefs and would rather be writing. He never failed to smile for her and kiss her senseless before taking her to bed. “Paul sold the distribution rights to his film for twenty-five million dollars.”
Jayna felt her jaw drop. “Are you kidding me?”