N. Walters: The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke

"That's not a fair comparison and you know it,” Patrick charged.

"Sure it is. The shooting and returning home changed you for the better. You met Shannon, got married, and now your life is totally different. You're not as cynical and aloof as you used to be. I'd say that what happened here all those years ago changed Cynthia James."

"But you can't be sure.” Burke's voice was flat, his words ringing with finality.

"No,” Shamus agreed. “I can't be. Not unless I spend time with Cyndi."

"I wish you wouldn't. That woman and her father deliberately hurt a lot of people in this town.” His sister rarely asked him for anything and he hated to hurt her like this, but this was too important to him to let it go.

"You might get your wish. Cyndi has said that she doesn't want to see me, doesn't want to cause problems between me and my family."

Dani frowned and rubbed her forehead. “That certainly doesn't sound like her.” Sighing, she leaned against her husband. “I still don't like it."

Shamus decided it was time to bring this conversation to an end. He'd gotten what he came for. There was no need to drag it out. “Maybe you're right and she'll be gone in a few days."

Dani visibly relaxed, but he noted that Burke and Patrick didn't look convinced. He ignored their pointed glares. He'd do what he felt he needed to do. He'd supported his family through thick and thin even when he didn't always agree with them. He expected the same in return. Except he didn't think he was going to get it. And that hurt. After all these years, they should trust him and his decisions even if they didn't trust Cyndi.

He changed the subject, going over some project questions with Burke and asking Dani about his nephew, Shane. Patrick he ignored. He knew that this wasn't over between himself and his older brother. Not by a long shot.

Cyndi pulled open the decorative, oak door with a stained glass window and walked inside the small lobby. Alicia Flint's office was located on the second floor of an office complex. The building was actually an old, stone structure that had been a dry goods store back at the turn of the century. It had closed in the late nineteen-seventies and her father had bought it for a song in the early eighties, converting it to an office building. Technically, it was her building now and all these people paid rent to her. It boggled her mind.

An older woman smiled at her as she entered. “May I help you?"

Cyndi nodded. “I have a ten-thirty appointment. My name is Cyndi Marks."

The woman glanced briefly at her appointment book. Cyndi noticed the framed pictures on the woman's desk and the colorful plants scattered around it. There was no stuffiness here. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea? Ms. Flint is on a call at the moment, but she shouldn't be more than a few minutes."

"No, thank you, I'm fine.” Cyndi was already nervous enough as it was. What if Alicia wouldn't take her on as a client? Not everyone in Jamesville would want to do business with her or earn the ire of the powerful law firm of Harris and Hammond.

A thick, oak door opened and an attractive woman wearing a red power suit strode out. Her black hair was cut in a chic style that was extremely short, yet suited the delicate features of her face. Alicia Flint had certainly grown into a striking woman. She handed a note to her receptionist. “Can you take care of this for me, Millie?"

"Certainly, Ms. Flint. This is Ms. Marks."

Alicia stuck out her hand. “Alicia Flint, Ms. Marks. I'm pleased to meet you.” Cyndi stood and shook the other woman's hand. “Why don't you come into my office so we can talk?"

Cyndi followed her into the inner sanctum. Unlike the stuffy, wood paneling and dark colors of Harris and Hammond, this room was airy and light. Inviting was the word that came to mind. It was totally professional, yet it put her at ease.

"Why don't you have a seat and tell me what I can do for you?” Alicia motioned to a sitting area away from the desk. It consisted of a sofa covered in dark chocolate fabric, two light beige chairs, and a large, leather ottoman that doubled as a coffee table. As in the outer office, plants gave the room a fresh feeling.

Cyndi felt the knot in her belly begin to relax as she eased down onto one of the chairs, her oversized satchel carefully tucked by her side. “First, you can call me Cyndi."

Alicia smiled as she took the other chair. “Good enough. You can call me Alicia. Everyone does, even Millie,” She motioned to the outer office. “She only calls me Ms. Flint in front of new clients."

Cyndi laughed. She liked Alicia Flint. She only hoped that the lawyer would agree to help her. Taking a deep breath, she began. “It's a long story."

Alicia leaned back and got comfortable. “Tell me."

Cyndi poured out her tale. She started fourteen years ago from the day she left Jamesville and skated over her years away from town. The bulk of the narrative began a few weeks ago when she'd gotten news of her father's death and ended with her visit to Harris and Hammond yesterday. It shocked her that so little time had passed. She felt as if she'd been through so much in such a short amount of time.

Alicia said nothing while Cyndi laid it all out for her. Her eyes widened and she nodded once or twice, but that was it. When she finished speaking, Cyndi sat back, totally drained.

"I remember you.” Alicia rested her elbows on the arms of the chair and steepled her fingers together. “A lot of people envied you, but not me. You never looked happy, not really."

Cyndi gave a bitter laugh. “You're a very perceptive woman."

Alicia inclined her head. “You should know that I thought your father was a mean son of a bitch."

Cyndi rubbed her moist palms over the legs of her pants. Her stomach roiled just thinking about her father. “I thought so, too."

The other woman continued to study her and it took everything in her not to squirm. She had nothing to hide. Besides, she couldn't hold anything back, not if she wanted this woman to help her.

"You want to move your entire file from Harris and Hammond, arguably one of the best law firms in the entire state?"

Cyndi nodded.

"Why?"

Cyndi took a deep breath and blurted out the truth. “Because those men are too much like my father, and they treated me the same way he used to.” The condescension and the barely veiled ridicule had sent her reeling back into the past yesterday. She'd fought too hard to make a life for herself, and she was damned if she'd let a man like Elijah Harris have a say in it.

A slow smile formed on Alicia's lips. “They are, aren't they? They'll kick up a fuss, you know.” Cyndi didn't think that the other woman looked worried by it; rather she seemed excited about the prospect.

"They will,” she agreed.

Alicia rose gracefully from her seat. Cyndi stood more slowly, digging her fingers into the leather fabric of her purse.

"Well then, we certainly have a lot of work to do, don't we?"

The knot in her belly finally dissolved and Cyndi smiled. “You'll take me on as a client?” She wanted to be absolutely sure. “Even though you know who I am?"

Alicia looked every inch the successful lawyer as she studied Cyndi. “I pride myself on being a good judge of character. Whatever you were, whoever you are, you're nothing like your father."

Cyndi swallowed hard, shaken to her core. This was the second person in town that seemed to accept her for who she was now. Maybe she'd have a chance to set the past to rights. The first step toward that end was to get all her legal affairs shifted to this office. There were tons of business details that needed scrutinizing before Cyndi decided what she was going to do with the bulk of her father's money and assets.