Read Online Barefoot Bay: Hold On To Forever (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Maria Geraci - Free Book Online Page A

Nicki seemed genuinely troubled and anything that concerned his future sister-in-law, concerned him too.
    Beth frowned. “Are you sure you really want to know?” Translation: Why would a hotshot like you care about someone like me? He’d seen it before in people’s eyes. Martinez and Martinez didn’t represent the big companies, but they also didn’t bother with a case that wouldn’t pull in a minimum five figure fee. He was not, however, at present, a representative of the firm. He was just himself. Jack Martinez, Esq.
    “Yeah, I’d really like to know.”
    Beth glanced back at Nicki, who nodded to her as if to verify he was a good guy. After a few seconds of mulling it over, Beth pulled a letter from an envelope and handed it to him. “I’ve been renting this place for a couple of years now and I’ve never been late on the rent, but the toilet in the back leaks and the air conditioner is always on the fritz. I’ve asked the landlord to make repairs but he keeps putting me off. I can’t afford another place in town, but it’s getting ridiculous. I can’t keep this place open without air-conditioning.”
    Now that she mentioned it, the place did seem overly warm.
    “Have you put all this in writing?”
    She snorted. “At least half a dozen times.”
    Jack studied the letter from the rental company. It was basically a bunch of bullshit stalling tactics. Nothing a simple letter with his firm’s logo on top couldn’t put a stop to. Of course, Martinez and Martinez didn’t handle simple landlord disputes.
    A muscle in the back of his neck twitched. This was the kind of stuff he had to look forward to if he followed through with his plan to leave the firm. Watching out for The Little Man . It was one of the reasons he’d become a lawyer to begin with. Only at Martinez and Martinez, there had never been anything “little.”
    “If you like, I can write a letter to the landlord on your behalf,” Jack said.
    Beth’s jaw dropped. It took her a few seconds to compose herself. “Are you serious?”
    “I’ll have to see a copy of your lease to make sure I have proper grounds to stand on, but, yeah. I’ll do it.”
    “I can’t pay you,” she said.
    He thought about it a minute. “How about that painting in the front? The last one on the left. I’ll take that for payment.”
    “Like a barter? Really? You’d do that?”
    “Sure. Why not?”
    “You have yourself a deal.” Beth grinned and even Nicki and Mitch both seemed happy by the arrangement. “Looks like I have myself a very fancy lawyer.”
    * * *
    Felicity dialed the office and waited as the phone rang and rang. She was almost ready to hang up when Aubrey answered. “Reed and Associates. This is Aubrey Adams. How may I help you?”
    “Where’s Kelly?” Felicity asked, referring to the firm’s receptionist and office manager.
    “How’s paradise?” Aubrey countered. “Have you gotten a chance to work on your tan? And better yet, how’s that delicious Jack Martinez?”
    “Paradise is lovely. Been too busy to work on my tan, and as for Jack Martinez…” Delicious didn’t begin to describe him . Today at the bridal shop, when he’d snuck into her dressing room, something had happened between them that had made last night’s kiss seem almost tame. He hadn’t touched her. Hadn’t even really said too much of anything. But good lord, the way he’d looked at her. She shuddered. She could never pass by one of those billboards and think of his eyes as cold ever again. “Jack and I are getting along.”
    “I bet.” There was a moment’s silence. “Kelly quit this morning.”
    “Quit? But why? And with no notice?”
    “We lost the Mr. Smiles account. I didn’t want to tell you till you got back from vacation, but there’s really no way to keep it under wraps.”
    Mr. Smiles was the moniker Dad had given to an account belonging to a large dental practice. It was the last account he’d brought into the firm before he died. The