Page 39 of Bridles and Bribery

“We’ve known each other for years.” Eloise’s voice was smug.

Still doesn’t sound kosher to me, but okay.“What do you need Dave’s case files for?”

“To keep his business afloat until he gets back.” Eloise flicked an impatient look her way, clearly not pleased about having to explain herself. “Many years ago, I worked as a paralegal in the company where I met my first husband.”

Ah.“Dave’s dad.” Jillian spun back around to retrieve her coffee cup from the dispenser. She capped it, added a straw, and joined her mother-in-law at the bar. “It’s really kind of you to help us out like this.” She wasn’t sure Dave would agree, but he wasn’t here to voice his opinion on the matter.

“We’ll see if my efforts do any good.” Eloise pressed her lips into a flat line. “There’s a court hearing scheduled for later in the week that I’m going to have to file for an extension on. He also has an initial consultation with a new client tomorrow morning that I’m trying to decide if I should keep or reschedule.”

Jillian’s eyes widened. “Is it something you’d feel comfortable handling on your own?”

Eloise gave a mirthless chuckle. “Won’t know until I show up. It’s the nature of the beast in this business.” She flicked a finger at the hand-written note in front of her. “If I’m deciphering Dave’s scrawl correctly, it involves aproperty dispute, which sounds fairly innocuous. I’m not sure why the client, Mr. Edward…” she leaned closer to squint at the last name, “Wagner thinks he needs a criminal lawyer to get involved.”

Jillian forced a smile, trying to follow her mother-in-law’s lead and put on a brave front. “In the wild west movies, a property dispute could cost a man his scalp.”

Eloise chuckled. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“No kidding.” Jillian took her first sip of coffee. “Listen, I don’t think I’ve said this yet, but I really, really, really appreciate you staying in town as long as you have. Though Dave’s home is beautiful, I’m sure it doesn’t hold a candle to the coastal views you’re accustomed to enjoying in Naples.”

“It’s your home now, too.” Eloise glanced up from the paperwork she was browsing through. “The sooner you start yanking open drawers and hanging curtains, the sooner you’ll stop feeling like a visitor here.”

“I can’t.” Jillian gripped her coffee cup tighter. So far, all she’d done was browse a few catalogues and websites and make more shopping lists. However, her heart wasn’t in it.

“Why not?” Eloise demanded sharply.

“I just can’t.” Jillian struggled to put her tangle of emotions into words. “Until I know Dave is alright, my life feels like it’s on hold. Like I can’t fill my lungs all the way with air.” She set down her coffee cup and pressed a hand to her pounding heart. “I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to do this.”

Her mother-in-law studied her in silence for a moment. “I know what you’re going through,” she declared quietly. “I truly do, and I think I have a solution. A temporary one, at least.”

Tears welled in Jillian’s eyes. “Unless it involves a phone call from Dave…” She shook her head sadly.

Eloise abruptly pushed back her stool. “It involves kicking the mulligrubs aside and getting your mind on something else. You’ll feel better afterward. I promise.”

Her words piqued Jillian’s curiosity. “Okay, I’ll bite. What do you have in mind?” She dabbed the wetness from the edges of her eyes.

Eloise’s expression grew mischievous. “According to the address listed on the property dispute,” she stabbed her forefinger at the folder on the top of the stack in front of her, “Edward Wagner lives next door to you guys.”

“Which side of us?” Though she couldn’t see outside from where she was sitting, Jillian turned toward the kitchen window over the sink. On one side of them was a row of upscale town homes. On the other side was a dilapidated old homestead. The two-story white farmhouse and big red barn sitting partially behind it were in desperate need of a paint job. Plus, there were a few loose shutters on the house that needed straightening and tightening down.

Eloise grunted in derision. “Which side do you think?”

“The old farmhouse it is.” Jillian had never seen anyone come or go from it. If it weren’t for the occasional glow of a lamp through the windows at night, she might’ve assumed it was vacant. “I’m assuming this Mr. Wagner lives alone?”

Eloise smirked. “Yep. According to the questionnaire Dave has every prospective client fill out, the fella is as old and as grumpy as me.”

“Does the file say that?” Jillian stared at her, aghast.

“Nope.” Eloise chuckled, “but my son would if he was in the room.” She picked up the file and fanned it open. “Edward Wagner is seventy-three years seasoned, a retired soldier, and a widower. His wife of fifty-one years died two years ago. Their only child died many years before that in a boating accident up near Anchorage.” She closed the folder. “See what I mean? Old, cranky, and apparently being hounded by the local homeowners’ association.”

“Because of his crooked shutters?” Jillian swallowed a chuckle. Her mother-in-law was right. Being nosy was a lot more fun than sitting around feeling sorry for herself.

“Yes, indeed, but that’s not the underlying cause of their dispute.” Eloise’s gaze took on a wicked gleam of anticipation. “According to Mr. Wagner, the purchase of his home predates the inception of Heart Lake’s most prestigious homeowners’ association, which means the HOA board had no legal grounds for mowing his back pasture without his permission and sending him the bill. Oh, and threatening to put a lien on his place for the laundry list of repairs they claim it needs. Aww,” her voice grew mocking, “the very thought of going head-to-head with a bunch of snooty Heart Lakers is really breaking my heart.”

Jillian rolled her eyes. “Please don’t say that under oath, since we both know your words lack sincerity.”

“Ha!” Eloise burst into one of her noisy cackles. “That’s the nicest way anyone has ever called me a liar.”

“When do we leave?” Jillian smiled despite her tiredness and swollen ankles. She couldn’t help it. Eloise and her shenanigans just had that effect on her.

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