Chapter Twenty

Anna

Tuesday afternoon it was a different Catherine and Tia that sat in Michael's office. Both of them were intent upon protecting their relationship and Maddy.

"Catherine, it's much better to take Jerry's suit to a family court arbitrator then to wait to go to court. It will be much faster, less costly, and much easier on Maddy." Michael explained quietly to the very unhappy women seated across from her.

"Does Jerry have a chance of taking Maddy from me?" Catherine's voice shook and her hand clenched Tia's tightly.

"I won't make any guarantees, but it is highly unlikely that any judge would take a happy, well-adjusted child from her mother. It is not against the law for you and Tia to be together, and the fact that you are buying a home to raise Maddy in, speaks for itself. It's not going to be easy for you to sit and listen to your ex-husband try to turn you into a bad mother."

"I know."

"Okay. Since Jerry and his lawyer have agreed to meet with the arbitrator, we went and set the meeting up for next Thursday at four o'clock. I have all the information we need for this preliminary meeting, but I want to meet with you at three o'clock, so we can prepare and go to the meeting together."

"Okay."

"Tia, do you understand why you can't be there?" Michael gazed at a very distraught Tia.

"Yes." Anger emanated from Tia.

"I know you want to support Catherine, but your being there would just make Jerry even angrier. We don't need that." Michael spoke gently to Tia. She could understand how Tia felt and saw the struggle she was having.

"I understand." Tia responded impatiently. She understood, but it still made her very unhappy. She wanted to be there to support and protect Catherine.

"Tia, it will be fine." Catherine squeezed Tia's fingers. Tia's anger disappeared from her face as it filled with love for Catherine.

Michael sighed to herself as she watched the two of them. What she wouldn't give for that kind of love. She wanted to love someone unconditionally, and get that same kind of love in return.

"Michael, thank you." Tia smiled as she stood up.

"You both are very welcome."

"Should I call you before next week?"

"Catherine, if I need to talk to you, I'll call. Now, I want the two of you to stop worrying, that's my job. Go buy a house." She grinned as she shoved the two of them out of her office.

"Say hello to Anna for us."

"I will, now get."

Michael smiled as she sat back down at her desk. She ran her hands over it and smiled. Her father and brother had built her office from the floor up, including the large oak desk, and the matching wall of shelves. She always felt safe when she was in her office. She sat back and her thoughts went to Anna. She needed to call her and make sure she still wanted to get together tomorrow night. Besides, she wanted to talk to her. Anna had intrigued her when she spent the afternoon at her house. Anna had been very generous and supportive of Catherine and Tia. She had welcomed everyone into her home as if they were family. It had been months since Michael had anything close to a date, and Anna was, to put it bluntly, an absolute doll. Michael could still remember the feeling she had gotten in the pit of her stomach when Anna had smiled at her. It was so rare that Michael thought of anything but work. She dialed Anna's number and got comfortable in her chair.

"Hello."

"Anna, its Michael."

"Hi."

"Are we still on for tomorrow night?"

"We'd better be. I have just finished painting the last wall of my living room." Anna volunteered with a humorous snort.

"I'd better bring something good for dinner then." Michael chuckled. "Any suggestions?"

"The only thing that I am not too fond of is curry, but otherwise, surprise me. 1 love surprises."

"That's good to know. Six-thirty then?"

"Perfect."

"Anna, don't work too hard."

"I should say the same to you. I know you had a late meeting with Catherine and Tia."

"They just left."

"I'm glad they have a good lawyer."

"Thank you, but don't you think you ought to wait and see what happens?" Michael had flooded with warmth at Anna's compliment.

"Anyone who meets with a client on a Saturday, with no advance warning, and not even in their office, has got to be a caring lawyer. A caring lawyer is a good lawyer."

Michael didn't know what to say. She flooded with warmth at Anna's words. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow night."

"So am I."

"I'll see you at six-thirty."

"Goodbye."

Michael leaned back in her chair and put her feet up. She was surprised at Anna's observations. Most people would describe Michael as cold, businesslike, ambitious, and certainly not caring. Clicking her mind into motion, she thought about what kind of surprise meal she could bring to Anna's. She began to grin as an idea took shape. With a little bit of effort she could be very inventive.

By six o'clock the following evening, Anna was getting cold feet about her date with Michael. She had five Alfred Hitchcock movies to choose from, her living room was freshly painted and put back together, and she was a nervous wreck. Twice, she went in and checked herself in the bedroom mirror. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a v-neck sweater, with a comfortable pair of loafers. Her hair was doing its usual style, refusing to do anything but curl. Sighing loudly, Anna gazed critically at herself in the mirror. She was a little over five feet seven, with long slender legs, and not much in the way of breasts. Her hair was, in her estimation, a nondescript brown, with curls that defied any style. Van always teased Anna about her hair, jealous of her curls and waves, but Anna found them nothing but irritating. She did have large eyes with long eyelashes, but again, in her estimation a very un-sexy hazel in color.

It had been a long time since she had gone out on a date, and her self-esteem was at an all time low. She wasn't sure she had the energy to date again. And she knew her heart couldn't take another blow. She must have been crazy to invite Michael over. What was she thinking?

Michael meanwhile, was happily on her way to Anna's, a huge filled picnic basket on the seat next to her. Anna would get her surprise. Pulling into Anna's driveway, Michael felt her first bit of nervousness as she got out of her car. For some reason, tonight was very important to her. She carried the heavy basket to the door and taking a deep breath, she knocked.

The door opened quickly and Anna stood smiling inside. "Right on time, come on in."

"Thanks." Michael smiled in return, as she swung the basket through the door. She couldn't prevent her eyes from traveling the length of Anna's slender frame. The old frayed jeans and the deep blue sweater were perfect on her, her friendly eyes, large and clear.

"What have you brought?" Anna asked as she stared at Michael while she struggled through the door.

"A picnic." Michael grinned mischievously at her.

"A picnic?"

The look on Anna's face was perfect, complete wonder. She was obviously pleasantly surprised. Michael filled with happiness as she placed the basket in the middle of the living room.

"Your living room looks nice."

"Thanks, I am glad I finished it in time for the picnic." Anna chuckled. "Can I get you something to drink? Here, let me hang up your jacket."

"I have wine in the basket, and glasses." Michael slipped out of her jacket and handed it to Anna.

Michael opened the basket and pulled out a picnic tablecloth. Kneeling to spread it on the floor, Michael prepared their meal. She began to set two place settings while Anna entered the living room and kneeled next to her.

"Can I do anything?" Anna's eyes were filled with pleasure as she watched Michael. Not only had she thought of everything for the picnic, but she looked very cute dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a tee-shirt. "I can't believe you brought a picnic."

"Here, you open the wine." Michael handed her the bottle and the wine opener. "You said to surprise you." Michael grinned, placing two wine glasses in front of Anna.

"I did say that, and you certainly surprised me." Anna laughed as she worked the cork out of the wine bottle.

"Good. Everyone deserves a surprise." Michael's dimples flashed in her cheeks as she grinned at Anna.

Anna just smiled as she poured a glass of wine for the two of them. Michael was a very pleasant surprise.

"So tell me about your job, while I put the food out." Michael requested as she pulled containers out of her basket.

"There isn't much to tell. I do mechanical design work for the military side of Boeing. Currently, I am working on a communications satellite project team."

"That sounds very interesting. Do you get to see it launched?"

"Yes, it should go up by year end, in Long Beach, California."

"So will you go?" Michael watched Anna respond.

"Yes." Anna's face was animated. "It's an unbelievable feeling to see something you worked on for so long be successful."

"You love what you do."

"I do." Anna laughed as she handed Michael her wine. "Don't you love what you do?"

"Yes."

"You must get a wonderful feeling every time you help someone. You help real people with real problems."

"Sometimes I can help. I don't always win every case or find a good solution."

"At least you try."

"So what can I serve you? We have some wonderful stuff here."

"I don't know where to begin."

"How about a little bit of everything?" Michael chuckled, as she handed a full plate to Anna. "Here you go."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Now, tell me more about this satellite, unless you aren't allowed to."

"I'm not telling you any military secrets." Anna grinned. "Besides, you have lawyer client privilege to deal with."

"I guess we will have to watch what we say to each other, you, with your military secrets, and me, with my lawyer client privilege." Michael chuckled again.

"So what can we talk about?"

"How about Hitchcock? What movie are we going to watch?"

"Well, I have live to choose from."

"Do you have Rear Window?"

"I do."

"Can we watch that one?"

"Of course." Anna stood up and put the video in the VCR. She had everything set up and ready to go.

The two of them settled back and leaned against the couch, plates of food on their laps as the movie began.

As the end of the movie credits rolled by, Anna and Michael were still seated on the floor, a bowl of strawberries between the two of them.

"I think that is one of the best movies ever made." Michael volunteered as she started to load things back into the basket.

"It's one of my favorites."

"Well, I had better clean the rest of this mess up and head home."

"Here, let me help." Anna and Michael put the remains of their picnic back in Michael's basket. "Thanks for the wonderful picnic. I enjoyed it very much."

"I did to." Michael turned to smile at Anna. "It's been a long time since I've done something like this."

"Are you up to doing something with me again?" Anna shyly asked, her smile soft as she gazed at Michael to gauge her reaction.

"I would love to. What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I don't have anything planned."

"How are you at basketball?"

"Horrible."

"Good, so am I, but I need to help out at the park department center by my place. I promised a young man I would show up and help out. Would you like to go with me?"

"I'll go on one condition, that you don't laugh at my basketball skills."

"It's a deal." Michael grinned at her, her eyes twinkling with humor.

"Thank you again for the picnic."

"You're very welcome. Can I pick you up at five-thirty?"

"I'll be ready." Anna walked Michael to the door.

"Have a great day tomorrow." Michael smiled at her shyly.

"You too."

"Goodnight."

"Michael?"

"Yes?"

Anna hugged her quickly. "Thanks for the surprise picnic."

Michael leaned into Anna, her dark eyes glistening. "I like surprising you."

Anna gazed at Michael's smiling face with a grin of her own. At that moment Anna wanted more then anything to kiss her. Nerves and indecision kept her from doing anything.

"Five-thirty tomorrow night." Michael pushed out the door and headed for her car.

Anna waited for her to pull out before she shut her front door. She leaned against it as she thought about the evening. There was nothing she hadn't liked about it, the easy conversation, the friendly company, and the absolutely gorgeous woman in her living room. The evening had been perfect, except for one minor flaw, Michael hadn't kissed her goodnight. Maybe she wasn't interested in that type of relationship?

Anna slipped off to bed, happy that she was going to see Michael again. She liked her very much, and it made her want to take a chance on the relationship. She would find out if Michael wanted to be more than just friends.

Michael meanwhile, was berating herself all the way home for not kissing Anna goodnight. She'd had the perfect opportunity and she'd blown it. She'd enjoyed the evening with Anna very much. What appealed the most to her was Anna's smile. It was often and beautiful. Her whole face lit up when she smiled, and she had such a wonderful laugh. She also made Michael chuckle with her witty comments. At least Michael hadn't completely blown it. Anna had agreed to see her again, even if it was basketball.

Anna wasn't sure what to wear so she opted for shorts and a tee shirt. She would bring sweats and a jacket for afterwards. At least she wasn't a total klutz at basketball. She was in reasonable physical shape from working out, and she could dribble and shoot.

Michael pulled up right at five-thirty and Anna met her at her door, her pack in her hand.

"Hi."

"Hi, yourself." Michael smiled and Anna's breath caught in her throat. Michael had braided her dark hair back, and was wearing a baseball cap. She looked so beautiful that Anna could only stare. She was also wearing a tee-shirt and sweatpants. "Are you ready for some basketball?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." Anna chuckled with good humor. "Remember, no laughing." Michael just grinned as they headed for the car. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

"Why the name Michael?"

"My father named me after his mother and father. My first name is Michael and my middle name is Mary. Mom wanted to call me Mary, but Da won out. I have gone by Michael since I was born." Michael responded as she and Anna climbed into her small Mercedes.

"I like Michael better."

"So do I."

"So Annabel McNeil, have you a bit of the Irish in you?"

"Quite a bit. What about you Michael O'Reilly."

"I'm one hundred percent Irish. My parents are from Ireland."

"So why don't you speak with an Irish accent?"

"I do have a wee bit of one." Michael flashed her trademark dimples at Anna. "I was born and raised here, so I wasn't around a lot of the Irish."

"Have you been to Ireland?"

"No, I've always wanted to go there, but I haven't taken the time."

The two of them visited pleasantly until Michael pulled up in front of the recreation center on Capital Hill. "I've never done this before, so I don't know what to expect." Michael led the way into the gym.

"Michael, you came." A young, black boy hugged her with excitement.

"I told you I would." Michael hugged the little boy tightly in return. "Lincoln, this is my friend Anna. She's also here to help."

"Hi, Anna."

"Hi, Lincoln." The young boy was wearing high top sneakers, baggy shorts, and an oversized basketball jersey on his tiny frame. He matched a dozen or so other boys shooting basketballs at the hoops.

"Come over here and Coach Mac will tell you what to do. Coach Mac, these are my friends, and they came to help."

"Hello, welcome. We can sure use your help." A very harassed young man smiled at Anna and Michael, while groups of young boys milled around, all talking at once.

"Tell us what to do."

"You got it."

Within minutes, after he got everyone's attention with his whistle, he had Michael and Anna running drills with the boys, helping them shoot, and dribble basketballs. For several hours they didn't stop moving as the young boys practiced before scrimmaging along with Michael, Anna, and Coach Mac.

"So, how are you doing?" Michael asked Anna, as they walked to Michael's car after practice ended two hours later.

"Tired, sore, and very glad I came." Anna smiled at Michael. "I had so much fun."

"I did, too. Lincoln sure likes you."

Anna blushed with embarrassment. "He's such a nice, young boy. How did you meet him?"

Michael's face immediately flooded with pain. "I put his mother in jail. I used to be an assistant prosecuting attorney for Seattle, and his mother was a prostitute, and a drug addict."

"I'm sorry, Michael." Anna placed her hand on Michael's arm, her eyes filling with tears.

"It's fine, now. His mother has been clean for two years, and has a good job. She's going to make it." What Michael wasn't sharing, was that she'd paid for Lincoln's mother's rehab and had a vested interest in mother and son.

"And so is Lincoln." Anna stared at the beautiful woman struggling with tears, next to her. She had such a good heart.

"Yes, he is." Michael smiled at Anna. "He is going to be terrific." She hugged Anna. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starving." Michael playfully grinned at her as she unlocked her car. "Anna, you didn't tell me you were good at basketball."

"I’m not."

"Lincoln says you got game." Michael smirked at her as they got in the car.

"It's easy to have game when you're playing with ten or eleven-year-olds." Anna laughed easily.

"Well, I'm no ten-year-old." Michael laughed as she flashed her dimples at Anna. "And you left me standing a time or two."

"I did, didn't I?" Anna rolled her eyes at Michael with a grin. "And I noticed you aren't a ten-year-old."

The look Michael threw her way was one of humor and sexual heat, all wrapped up together. It held Anna's gaze for several moments before Michael looked away. "So what do you feel like for dinner?"

"How about we go back to my place? I have lots of food."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

"You're on."

Once at Anna's the two of them visited, while Anna prepared an omelet. They ate it at the kitchen table, still visiting. They didn't have any of the usual uncomfortable silences that some people have when first getting to know each other. They were at ease, and very comfortable, conversation just flowed between the two of them.

"So you quit being a prosecutor a year ago, and went into private practice?"

"Yes, and I love it."

"Is it hard to set up your own practice?"

"It wasn't for me. I don't need to make a lot of money, so I can pick and choose the type of cases I take. I also had a lot of contacts with the city, and I get a lot of referrals."

"You must feel good at night knowing that you make a difference."

"Thank you, that's a nice thing to say." Michael laid her hand on Anna's. "I believe we all make a difference by how we treat others. Look at you and your friends, for example. There was no question that you would all support Catherine and Tia."

"That's what friends do."

"Only good friends. Now, I need to help you clean up and get out of here. It's getting late."

They cleaned the kitchen quickly in silence, and then Anna walked Michael to the door. Her nerves in her stomach started to jump as she thought about kissing Michael goodnight.

"Thanks for inviting me tonight. I had fun." Anna's shyness made her voice very soft.

Michael turned to Anna and linked her fingers with her. "Anna, I want to see you again, soon."

"Good, I want to see you again." Anna tightened her fingers around Michael's as she stared into her dark eyes.

Michael and Anna slowly leaned toward each other as their lips met tentatively, softly sliding against one another's. It was a sweet, gentle kiss that invaded Anna's senses. Michael pulled away slowly as the kiss ended, and gazed at Anna. Michael bent over to kiss her again, her hand sliding around Anna's waist to pull her close. Anna felt the pull deep in her chest as she opened her mouth to kiss Michael fully. This was not the shy Anna that moments before could barely speak. Her lips and tongue traced Michael's mouth, as her hands slid into her hair. The fire that had been banked for over a year combusted, as Anna kissed Michael deeply. It was Anna who pulled away first, her breath coming in gasps, as Michael's head rested on her shoulder.

"My, oh my, for a first kiss, that was off the Richter scale." Michael chuckled as she hugged Anna.

"Is there anything you don't do well?" Anna teased, and held Michael in her arms. The kiss had rattled her and she was having difficulty thinking.

"So when can we see each other again?" Michael hugged Anna once more before releasing her.

"Tomorrow night?"

"Okay, what do you want to do?"

"Let's go for a walk on the beach, and get a bite to eat for dinner."

"Sounds good. I have a five o'clock meeting with a client, but after that I am free."

"How about I pick you up this time?"

"Perfect, you have my address on my business card. I live above the office."

"Is six o'clock too early?"

"No, that's perfect." Michael hugged her once more and kissed her quickly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Anna shut the door and headed for her bedroom. She was still vibrating with Michael's kiss. There had been none of the usual signs that Michael was attracted to her, until that kiss. And then it was like the world imploded. Michael knew how to kiss and Anna wanted more, much more.

Michael was having the same conversation with herself as she drove home. She knew she was very attracted to Anna. From the first moment she had met her, she held felt a deep attraction. It was her gentleness, her humor, and her natural beauty, that appealed to Michael. But who would have known that behind that soft, gentle demeanor was sexuality that exploded when they kissed. Michael was surprised, and more then a little overwhelmed. It had been a very long time since she'd had a passionate relationship. She'd always settled for the kind of relationships that didn't disrupt her life, devoid of too much passion. She knew Anna would disrupt her life in a big way, and she wasn't sure she could handle it. She wasn't prepared for a relationship that took a lot of work. Then again, she had never shared a kiss with anyone else that had quite the same affect on her.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14