Page 16 of Conail

She had seen firsthand what the place lacked. The machinery and farming equipment were old and outdated. Her brother was trying his best and working himself to the bone, but it was not enough.

If this was what she had to do then she was just going to have to do it.

It was just nine months and afterwards, she could go on with her life, knowing that she had done her part. She would go back home to her apartment or just stay here. The place was big enough and with her line of work, she could set up shop anywhere.

She shied away from thinking about her failed relationship. There had only been one. In high school, all she had done was fool around. Even then, she had been cautious and because of her height and weight, most boys had stayed clear of her.

In college she had been too focused on her studies, determined to prove to herself and her family that she could achieve and had not bothered with any fooling around.

Michael had been her first and only and it had taken six months for her to realize that he was an egocentric who was never satisfied with anything. He had wanted to be stroked and petted. A failing artist, he had resented her success, putting her down every chance he got. He had smashed her self-esteem and her pride. It had taken her almost a year to give him the boot.

Now, she stayed away from any sort of physical relationship, because she was not ready. Pressing a hand to her stomach, she sucked in a breath. She wanted a family of her own one day, of course. But first she was going to be thinking of the business end of things.

Her family needed her. She had taken a good look at her dad and was alarmed at how shaky he was. And the amount of medication he was required to consume. She wanted things back the way they were before. She wanted the farm to be producing.

And she wanted to see her brother happy again. He might fool himself into thinking he did not need Maddy, but he did andwhile she was here, she was going to see to it that they got back together. It was the least she could do.

*****

To her credit, Madeline listened without saying a word. Yasmine realized how much she appreciated the silence and lack of judgment. She had called to make an appointment at her friend's newly appointed office in the center of the town area. The little storefront area had once been a dress store, and the owner had moved out two months ago.

Madeline had hired someone local to make some changes and the place looked very different. She had not hired an assistant yet, but it was early days yet and she had gotten just two clients aside from Yasmine.

"Are you sure you want to go through with it?" she asked quietly when Yasmine wound down.

"Positive." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I have to."

"Honey—" Leaving her tidy cherry wood desk, she came to sit next to Yasmine. "I am speaking as your friend now, not your lawyer. This procedure is going to be intrusive and can be exhausting and frustrating. And after going through all the tests, it might not happen."

"Thanks for the positive pep talk." Yasmine blew out a breath. "It has to work, the farm depends on it."

Madeline patted her hand and sat back, her hands clasped in her lap. "How is Colin doing?" She shook her head when her friend turned to stare at her. "This is not about me."

"I don't mind deviating from the topic." This time she was the one who reached out to touch the girl's hand. "He's unhappy. And stubborn. Each time I try to bring up the topic with your name, he shuts down. Honey, you have your work cut out for you."

The other girl sighed heavily. "I hurt him, Yaz. It was as if I took a sword and jammed it through his heart. We were great together." Her expression turned wistful. "I was frightened and too young to appreciate the intensity of what we had. He loved me and I took it for granted." She shrugged. "I love him, and ittook going away to make me realize that he's the only one. I want him back."

"Then fight for him." Yasmine squeezed her hand. "Don't accept the cold shoulder or the anger. Beneath all of it, he loves you. He's angry and hurt but find a way to get through to him."

"He's hung up on the fact that I was with someone else."

Yasmine's hand tightened on hers. "Men! It's more ego than anything else."

The other girl uttered a shaky laugh. "It's more than that. I hurt him and I want to show him how much I am hurting now. How much I want to be with him."

"And I'll do everything I can to help you."

Madeline blinked back the tears. "Okay, enough about my issues. Let's get to yours."

*****

"Yasmine, this is Errol Grant, the lawyer representing my son." Eleanor sent her a reassuring smile as she introduced the very refined and elegant looking man in the expensive and sharp pin-striped suit that looked out of place in her mother's slightly shabby living room. As usual, her father and Colin had made themselves scarce. Yasmine had a feeling he had disappeared because he knew Madeline would be here.

"I'm representing Mr. McLaughlin." The man had an upper crust accent that whispered New England. His ash blonde hair was meticulously cut; his body lean and elegant. "We've taken the meeting here because of the privacy issue." Light blue eyes swung around the room, taking in each of the occupants. Her mother had served tea and crumpets, which had been left untouched. "The document is simple and clear cut and easily understood." He glanced at Madeline. "You will advise your client of the necessary steps. My client wants nothing to do with the entire proceedings and has left everything up to me and his mother." His expression softened as he turned to look at Eleanor.

Why, he's in love with her! Yasmine noted with a start. And wondered if the woman knew or even cared.

"We have a doctor who specializes in IVF and a nurse who will be doing the treatments. It will be a small team, and all the treatments will be administered here for privacy and discretion. There's also an NDA section attached to the document, which details the fact that you will never be allowed to discuss what is happening here outside this room."

---