I managed to resist the urge to tell her exactly what she could do with her dog, but it was a struggle.
Just then there was a tap at my office door and Callahan poked his head in. “Everything all right in here?” he asked.
“Cal, Miller here is being an awful meanie and won’t let me leave Alexander Hamilton in protective custody at the office while I go on a little trip,” she said, pouting.
Callahan scratched his head and hummed, and Missy watched him expectantly. Finally, he said, “Miller ain’t wrong, Missy. An office is no place for a dog.”
“Butyouhave a dog here,” she said.
“True, but I take him home at night,” Callahan said.
Missy’s expression sharpened, and I knew what was coming next even before she opened her mouth. “Well, maybe you can take Alexander Hamilton too.”
Callahan gave a sad smile. “I’d take him in a heartbeat, except my Duke’s getting on, and he ain’t so fond of other dogs. I’m afraid you’ll need to make other arrangements.” And thenCallahan did what I should have done after the first time Missy refused to listen to me.
He ignored her completely.
Turning his attention to me, he said, “Don’t you have that appointment in Goose Run to get to?”
Callahan and I both knew I didn’t have an appointment in Goose Run, but I grabbed at that life preserver he was throwing me with both hands. “Yes, sir. I’m leaving now.”
“But—” Missy started.
“You’ll have to excuse Miller,” Callahan said smoothly. “He needs to get going if he wants to make it on time. Very important case.”
Missy pursed her lips like she was about to argue, but then Callahan said, “Y’know, I’ve got some dog treats in my office for your cute little fella. Would you like a liver treat, boy?” he asked, scritching the dog under the chin. Alexander Hamilton panted happily. Then Callahan scooped him out of Missy’s lap and walked off, leaving her with no choice but to follow. It was the smoothest eviction I’d ever witnessed, and I watched in admiration as he led Missy away.
Shit like that right there was why I was cutting my legal teeth in a small-town firm—so I could learn the skills they didn’t teach you at law school. Although maybe How to Let Down a Southern Lady Without Offending Her should be a core course requirement in Virginia—possibly with Callahan running it.
I grabbed my satchel and hustled it out of there while I could. Just being out of Missy’s presence had my impending headache easing, and I made a mental note to thank Callahan for saving my sanity once I got back to the office from whatever pointless errand I was running. Although now I thought about it, I hadn’t heard back from Danny about his POA, so maybe it wasn’t pointless after all. I’d need to see the paperwork and talk to his grandma before proceeding with the case, but Marty hadbeen right. It looked like Danny might have a solid shot at a hefty check—as long as he was right about those property lines. But we couldn’t really start proceedings to check until I had his paperwork. I slipped my phone out and scrolled down until I found his number.
Hey. It’s Miller. Are you free for a meeting?
My phone pinged just as I was fastening my seat belt.
I’m working at the gas station, but you can stop in and we can talk. It’s not busy.
It might be busy by the time I get there.
Trust me. It won’t be. This is Goose Run.
I snorted and set my phone down before pulling out onto the highway. The traffic was light, which meant I got to chill out on the drive while I listened to a podcast about the human remains in Pompeii, and it wasn’t even an hour later when I pulled into Goose Run Gas.
I stepped out of the car, and the heat of the day slapped me in the face with all the force of a scorned lover. Sweat beaded on my forehead almost immediately, and I hurried toward the glass doors and the promise of AC. The doors opened, rattling and squealing as they did so.
I’d only been outside for the time it took to walk across the oil-stained parking lot, but it was hot enough that I still shivered as cool air washed over my already heated skin. I stepped farther into the building and spotted Danny standing behind the counter, smothering a yawn. “Hey.”
Danny looked up and gave me a pleased smile. “Oh, hey. You found it.” He came out and stood in front of me. I didn’t miss the way his gaze traveled over me.
“I was hoping you had a few minutes to go over what we’ll need to proceed with the case,” I said.
“I mean, I dunno. I’m pretty busy,” he drawled.
I looked around slowly. The place was deserted.
Danny snorted out a laugh.
I grinned back. “I think I can fight my way through the crowds. Is there somewhere we can sit down?”
