In Search Of A Hero

Once she was gone, André continued. “I think it best we go on the assumption this is true and that someone is indeed going to visit the site for some new proof that we don’t know about. I’d like to get to the bottom of this, too, find out if these people lied to us before we represented them.”

“If they did, and it comes out, whether you knew or not, it’s still going to hurt your father terribly.”

André nodded. “It will do that.”

“However, the poor people who’ve lost so many loved ones and fallen ill will have their proof.”

Again, he nodded. “Which would be a good thing for some of them. I saw many at the time who were simply money-grubbing people who saw a chance to get rich. That was one reason I got out of being a trial lawyer. I got burned out really quick seeing the baser nature of people and their greed.”

“Not all poor people are money grabbers,” Rebekkah said softly, her fork pausing by her plate.

“I agree. But we’ve represented many who were. Surely, Rebekkah, you’ve seen that in your experiences with my father’s company.”

Rebekkah’s glance left André speechless.

André wouldn’t let her escape, though. Reaching out, he caught her hand, which lay still on the table.

The warmth jolted her gaze to his. She froze, staring.

He didn’t say anything, just continued to hold her hand.

“Yes, I’ve seen that in your father’s business and in other businesses, as well,” she finally admitted. “But I’ve seen the poor ones, as well, those who couldn’t afford a lawyer and desperately needed help, the ones who weren’t greedy and sought out help only to be turned down because they had no money.”

“Which makes me wonder why you aren’t more supportive of where I work,” he murmured softly.

Realizing what she’d said, she pulled her hand back on the pretense of blotting her lips with the napkin. “If a person works, they can go places and not stay in the world they were born in. Many in the inner city just want to stay there.”

André went back to eating. “Which means you really want to see me help them on their way, I suppose.”

Rebekkah laughed. “You’re good at twisting things around, André.”

“And for a trial lawyer, Rebekkah, you can certainly jump from subject to subject.”

The tension relieved, she smiled. “Simply to keep you confused.”

“Oh, you do that without any problem,” André said.

And she did, André thought, watching the way the woman blinked before smoothing all emotions from her soft complexion.

“So tell me, Rebekkah, what made you want a job like the one at Watson and Watson,” André asked, deciding they’d discussed enough business for the night. He wanted to get to know his new partner better since they would be working together.

“I don’t understand,” she replied carefully. He thought most of her answers were careful, except to him. He’d noticed almost immediately he had the ability to rattle her easily. And he took advantage of it, too. “I mean, fast-paced, high stress, long hours.”

“Oh.” She smiled. The smile changed her features from beautiful to breathtaking. She really was quite a remarkable young woman. He had no idea how she’d stayed single so long, unless it was her sheer doggedness to climb the corporate ladder—something André realized wasn’t worth it when he’d lost Sarah.

“I like the challenge. I love my job. It gives me a chance to challenge my mind and the laws. It also has the possibility of advancement, bigger cases and such.”

“You want to make a name for yourself,” he confirmed.

“I want to make sure I have a firm foundation to stand on and job security.”

“Trusting God helps,” he said.

She frowned. “Figures you’d quote things like that to me.”

“I can’t let you do all the quoting, now, can I?” he asked, enjoying the sparring.

“I saw you were in church Sunday,” she countered.

“I was there, yes. But you didn’t answer my question. Do you trust God to take care of you?”

“I believe a person has to put forth an effort, but yes, God will take care of me.”

“Then it really boils down to you’re running from or to something.”

He’d struck gold with that, if the flash in her eyes was any indication. He wouldn’t push it, though. At least now he had an idea why she seemed so determined to please his father and make a name for herself. “I’ve run, too, Rebekkah,” he said simply. “I still am in some ways, I imagine. But that’s what life is about, trials.”

Tilting her head, she studied him. “Why do you really miss church, André?”

Steepling his hands in front of him, he smiled. “I’m backsliding, or so you say, Rebekkah.”

“I’m wondering if there isn’t more here than meets the eye.”

He grinned. “Maybe you should find out.”

Her cheeks reddened slightly, amusing him. Time to let her off the hook. He found teasing Rebekkah Hawkley too enjoyable. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “Can you get the transcripts together so we can go over them some evening?”

Clearly relieved to be on the subject of work, she pulled out her notebook and flipped through it. “That’s going to be a tall order, but, yes, if you’d like.”

“I’d like it very much. Let’s meet somewhere quieter next time, more private, where we can spread out. Ideas?”

Rebekkah’s brow furrowed, and she nibbled her lip before tentatively offering, “My place?”

He knew she expected him to say no and then they’d haggle like they had over this restaurant. Instead, he nodded. “Sounds fine.”

He hid his smile as she gaped at him. “How about tomorrow night after church?”

“You’ll be at church?”

“If you agree to the meeting afterward,” he replied, smiling. He normally went to a much smaller church on Wednesday night, but he found he enjoyed talking with this woman. There was so much he didn’t know about her. He’d barely scratched the surface and he found himself compelled to dig deeper, get to know her more. Missing one Wednesday night wouldn’t hurt. His friend could take over the class for that night.

“What if I’m busy?” she challenged.

“But you won’t be, will you, Rebekkah? Because you want me to be in church.”

She chuckled. “It’s not my job to see you show up.”

“Nope. But it just might go a long way to helping me heal with my father, hey?”