Erin leaned forward and grabbed one of Johnnas hands. Johnna sat up stiffly, as if unaccustomed to any sort of physical contact.
Johnna, I know weve never been friends, that there was a time you had reason to hate my guts. But I swear to you, that night, the night of the murder, Richard hit me so hard he knocked me unconscious, and when I came to, he was dead. Somebody had bashed his head in, but it wasnt me. I didnt kill him. I swear I didnt. She released Johnnas hand and again tears glimmered at her bruised and swollen eyes. Youve got to help me.
Johnna stood and paced in front of the table. Why me, Erin? Like you said, weve never been friends. Why would you want me to represent you?
Because Richard had powerful friends in this town, and I know you wont play any games. Because I think if you agree to take my case, youll do everything in your ability to help me. I know youre honorable, Johnna, and I trust your integrity.
For a long moment Johnna stood staring at Erin, her forehead wrinkled with thought. She turned her head and gazed at Jerrod, and in the depths of her gray eyes, he saw a flash of vulnerability, a whisper of pain.
Will you do it? Will you help me? Erin asked softly. Johnna looked back at Erin, then nodded curtly and once again sat down across from her.
As the two women discussed the fee, Jerrod wondered why he had the strangest feeling that in helping one, the other might be healed.
Ridiculous, he scoffed inwardly. Erin needed help, but Johnna Delaney certainly didnt need to be healed. Still, he couldnt get that momentary flash of pain in her eyes out of his head.
In encouraging Johnna to represent Erin, he had either done a good thing or lit a fuse on a powder keg of emotions that might explode in all their faces. Only time would tell what the outcome would be.
Chapter 3
Johnna looked at her watch in surprise. It was after eleven. She hadnt realized shed been speaking with Erin for more than two hours.
Her first inclination was to reject his offer. She didnt want to have lunch with him. She didnt want to have anything to do with him. And yet, her pride alone didnt want him to think that she harbored any ill will toward him.
To let him know how deeply hed hurt her all those years ago would give him power over her. And her pride wouldnt allow that. Sure, lunch sounds good, she agreed.
The diner?
She nodded and they set off walking down the sidewalk. Shed been shocked to see him at the jail, hadnt anticipated he would want to be a participant in her interview with Erin. She should have known better. It was obvious he and Erin had maintained contact in the years Jerrod had been gone from Inferno.
So what do you think? he asked.
You mean do I believe her? Johnna thought about all the information shed gained from Erin about the night of the murder. I dont knowmaybe. Although it really doesnt matter what I believe. Its what I can convince a jury to believe. I need to meet with Chet Maxwell before the arraignment Monday and see if theres a possibility hell charge her with manslaughter rather than murder.
She wont take a plea. Shes innocent.
They ceased speaking until they were seated in a booth in the diner and had ordered lunch. Johnnas head spun as the realization of what shed just agreed to sank in. She was going to defend Erin McCalla woman shed spent the last nine years resenting.
Your brother and his new bride didnt plan much of a honeymoon, Jerrod said when the waitress had brought their drinks, then left. Didnt I hear they were just spending one night at Roses
Bed-and-Breakfast?
Thats right, Johnna said, then took a sip of her iced tea. This is the busy season at the ranch and theyve planned a more extended honeymoon when the ranch is dark in November.
In the past ten years, the Delaney Dude Ranch had become a popular vacation place for tourists. It was open ten months out of twelve and closed for a month in the spring and another in late fall for maintenance and repairs.
I was surprised to discover that Mark was the first of you all to get married, he said.
Matthew might as well be married to the ranch. Hell probably never take a bride. Luke is so busy romancing everyone in the four-county area, hes a lost cause when it comes to monogamy and marriage.
And you? His blue eyes seemed to be searching inside her, seeking weaknessesor secrets.
She met his gaze evenly. And Ive decided Im not cut out to be somebodys wife. I like living my life my way, without compromises or conditions. Im set in my ways and perfectly happy alone. And what about you? she asked curiously. Do you have a wife tucked away somewhere? Perhaps a couple of kids?
No wife. No kids. Ive been pretty focused on my ministry and that hasnt left much time for anything else. He leaned back against the red plastic booth. I have a lot of plans for the church, which I understand from Reverend Templeton is slowly dying from apathy. But eventually Id like a wife and children.
Was this the reason he was eager for Erin to be acquitted? Perhaps he intended to take up where they had left off long ago.