Page 9 of Ask for Moore
“Thanks so much. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“It was no bother. We keep a butler pantry stocked with snacks for guests.” She waved away my gratitude. “Since breakfast is served in the main house, I didn’t want you to feel obligated to make the trek over in the morning. But you’re more than welcome to snack on all of this today and join us in the morning. I’ll be making my famous German pancakes with sautéed apples tomorrow.”
Maybe being stuck in Mooreville for however long these cases took wasn’t going to be as bad as I expected.
5
Ryland
The morning after I bumped into Waverly at Leaves & Pages, I whistled as I walked into my office. Ivy was already at her desk, and a mug of coffee was set to the side, waiting for me. I gave her a key to the building a few weeks after she started working for me—when it became apparent she was more of a morning person than I was. I didn’t like the idea of the young woman waiting for me outside, no matter how safe Mooreville was.
Lifting the rich brew to my lips, I hummed in appreciation. “Thanks, Ivy.”
She quirked a brow. “You’re in an unusually chipper mood this morning.”
“What can I say?” I shrugged. “It’s a beautiful day for February.”
“Uh-huh.”
She seemed skeptical, which was fair since the weather was only a small part of why I was happy to start my Thursday. The main reason would be arriving at two, but I wasn’t going to share that with her since nothing could come of my attraction to Waverly. Not when she was my opposing counsel. And not after either, since she would be headed back to Chicago once the matter was resolved.
“Please get me the Nedderman file. I had a voicemail from Eloise. Apparently, there’s an issue with child support she’d like me to look into.”
Ivy nodded. “Will do, boss.”
Eloise Nedderman was the first case I had taken on when I opened my practice. I had been hesitant because it was my first divorce, but she went to church with my grandfather, and he was convinced I was the best person for the job. I had needed to get accustomed to taking on a variety of cases as a small-town lawyer anyway, so I had set aside my concerns and represented the mother of two to the best of my abilities.
Despite my fears, I had done a hell of a job for her. She got full physical custody of her children, temporary spousal maintenance for three years, and child support. She had married her high school sweetheart and dropped out of college when she got pregnant during her junior year. That interruption in her education, combined with the gap in their earning power and how long it would take for her to finish her degree and get a decent job, resulted in the judge awarding her a nice monthly payment.
Her ex hadn’t been happy, but he couldn’t do anything about the judge’s decision. So he’d spent the past year trying every trick in the book to get his child support lowered. This was already the third time we’d be headed to court for him to unsuccessfully argue a substantial and continuing change in his circumstances.
I spent the next few hours getting caught up on paperwork and answering emails. After lunch, I called Eloise to let her know my investigator hadn’t found any change in her ex’s employment to warrant a modification in support. Then I watched the clock until it was almost time for my two o’clock appointment. I was filled with anticipation that had nothing to do with the facts of the case and everything to do with who I was going up against.
Ten minutes before Waverly was due to arrive, Ivy poked her head into my office. “When Burkhart’s lawyer gets here, do you want me to bring her in here or the conference room?”
I was torn. The conference room was the obvious choice since it was larger and more intimidating. It was what I would choose for any other out-of-town lawyer. But I found myself not wanting to use the normal tactics with this particular case. “I’ll meet with Waverly in here.”
Her eyes widened before she strode into my office to plop down on one of the chairs on the other side of my desk. “Waverly? Since when do you use opposing counsel’s first name before you’ve met them? Especially when they’re someone who’s coming in from Chicago to sue one of our own on behalf of an outsider.”
I leaned back in my chair and interlaced my fingers against the back of my head. “One of our own, huh?”
“Growing up a few towns over and working for you for more than a year totally counts.” She shrugged. “And it’s not as though Marty lived in Mooreville, same as me. We’re both from Herbert County, which makes us locals in comparison to that big jerk who wants to turn all that farmland into another boring subdivision.”
I nodded. “True.”
“I’m not going to let you get away with changing the subject so easily.” She wagged a finger at me. “Answer the original question.”
“Nice job staying on task. Have you given any thought to my suggestion about returning to school to become a paralegal?”
“Fine, don’t share whatever you’re hiding. I’ll figure it out myself when she shows up.” She slumped in her chair, letting out a little huff. “And I’m still not sure about the paralegal thing. Earning more would be great, but school isn’t my favorite thing.”
“There are programs where you can get a certificate in about a year.” I jerked my thumb toward my chest. “And you have a boss who not only is happy to provide on-the-job training but would also be a fantastic tutor should you need help with any of your classes.”
“Since you’re so awesome, I guess I won’t push more about why you called Miss Duncan by her first name.” She stood and winked at me. “But only because I’m going to be right outside your door while you meet with her. You know that your door isn’t soundproof, right?”
I sighed and shook my head. “It’s a good thing attorney-client privilege extends to you as my employee. Otherwise, you’d give the gossip mill plenty to chew on.”
Walking toward the door, she glanced over her shoulder to smirk at me. “It’s a good thing you won’t be rendering legal advice to your client during your meeting with Waverly. I can blab to my heart's content.”
