Page 12 of Bracing The Storm

I quickly change into a yellow, long-sleeved dress that reaches below the knees and top it off with a white blazer and black flats. I know nothing about Ireland. I’m not familiar with the local weather, but if the chilly breeze from before is any indication, I expect I’ll need my blazer to keep me warm during the meeting with the lawyer. It also serves the purpose of giving me a professional look above all else. I don’t want to give the impression of a con artist.

This place is too grand for me. It’s a whole new world compared to what I’m used to. My entire apartment, if you can even call it that, back home would probably fit into the walk-in closet. I’m not the missing piece in this puzzle of luxury. I’m more like the ugly stepsister in Cinderella who needs to cut off a few toes to even squeeze into the glass shoe, and it still won’t fit.

The glass shoe being the Walsh estate, obviously.

According to the letter, I’m supposed to meet with a lawyer today. He will see through my pretense straight away. He’ll probably end up laughing at me or worse, accuse me of having done something to the old lady to make her leave her entire estate to a poor girl from Brooklyn.

Sighing, I throw another look at myself and cringe. Even the pink lipstick makes me stand out, and not in a good way. I wipe it off, but that changes nothing about the way I feel.

“Let’s do this,” I say as I walk out the door. “Let’s get it over with.”

The car sent by the law firm is already waiting around the corner. It’s a make I’m not familiar with, but judging from theshiny metal and the polished leather seats, it’s anything but cheap.

Of course it isn’t.

What did I expect?

Anyone living in such a grand place will probably not skimp on the best legal representation money can buy. I should have been able to tell from the silver embossed writing on the letterhead.

Ellis & Connolly LLP

I’ve no idea who these people are. I don’t even know what the LLP stands for because all my knowledge about law comes mostly from watching Netflix. To say I’m a little out of my comfort zone would be an understatement.

“Ms. Crest?” A pleasant male voice calls out from behind me.

I turn to regard him, and my jaw drops a little as I gaze into the chestnut eyes of a guy a few years my senior with dark hair brushing the collar of his shirt and the physique of a rugby player.

He can’t possibly be Ellis or Connolly because he’s too young to be one of the partners. But he can’t possibly be entry level either, what with that expensive car parked in the driveway and the tailored suit that hugs his muscular body to perfection.

“Lori,” I mumble and reach out a hand, then think better of it. Do people in Ireland shake hands? Hug? Do the nose greeting? I really should have done some research on the place and its customs.

“Duncan Ellis. Please call me Duncan.” His smile broadens a little, and for a moment I’m left stunned at how young he actually looks. Maybe heisentry level and the firm didn’t find me important enough to send someone with more experience. Or maybe?—

I frown. “Did you say Ellis?”

He laughs. “I know what you’re thinking. That I’m too young to take care of your business. But I can assure you you’re in good hands, Lori. I’ve been doing this for many years, was mentored by the very best, before I took over my father’s firm when he retired last year. We’re still afloat, if that’s what you’re worried about. I haven’t run it into the ground—yet.” He winks and the telltale heat of a major blush rushes to my face.

“That’s not what I was worried about.”

He takes a step forward, his eyes glinting with something. The moment he starts to talk I realize it’s pride. “Ellis & Connelly is one of the oldest firms in Europe. We have been in business for over a hundred years and take care of estates around the world. The late Ms. Walsh trusted me to take over her legal affairs just as her father trusted my father and so forth. I always go above and beyond the call of duty.” He hands me a business card. I take it but don’t look at it. I can’t. There’s something about Duncan Ellis that holds my gaze.

Confidence.

Competence.

“Thank you.”

He nods. “My personal phone number is on it. Call me anytime, day or night. I’m always available to you.”

Is he flirting with me?

Did I detect a double meaning in his words?

I take in the way he looks at me. His smile is open and professional, but there’s a glint in his eyes. It might just be the sunrays catching in them and I’m just imagining things. But I’m not taking chances. I’m not here to get involved with anyone, and certainly not with my lawyer.

He’s tall and good-looking with a great charm about him, and nothing like the person I pictured would meet with me. I know I’m staring at him but I just can’t wrap my mind around the situation. This is the second good-looking guy I’m meeting injust as many days. What’s with this place? Do sexy men grow on trees around here? Is it the local food? Something in the water?

“What do you say?” Duncan prompts. “Are you going to give me a chance?”

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