On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

involve you. We don't know why. Maybe out of respect for your long friendship, he didn't want to burden you with anything, not even perhaps his last decision. And," she added hastily, "we still don't know that's what happened."
    "It's sure looking that way."
    "What about the woman from the bar. Did Jeanne find out anything about her?"
    "Not yet. She said she'd call me later today."
    "Okay, so we don't have the whole story yet, let's not jump ahead to the end."
    "Too late."
    She gave him a compassionate smile and knowing that he needed something to do, she said, "How about some breakfast? I wouldn't mind another one of your scrambles. I bought all the ingredients yesterday."
    "Uh, sure. I could cook something up."
    "Good." She checked the clock, realizing it was after nine. "Oh, my goodness. I didn't realize it was so late."
    "It's not that late."
    "It is in New York. It's noon. And I am not at work." She was never late and she never took a day off unless she had a fever or was throwing up. People would be wondering where she was. "I need to call in."
    "And say what?" he asked curiously. "If you need to get to an airport, I can take you, Sara. I don't want you to feel like you're stranded here."
    "I don't feel that way." In fact, she really wasn't in any hurry to leave Redding. She felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. Logically, she knew it was a momentary escape, but that didn't matter. She was going to enjoy it for as long as she could. "I'm entitled to some days off. I'll just tell them I'm taking the time now."
    Memories of their night together flashed through her head, and the sexy, intimate look in Aiden's eyes told her he was taking the same trip. There was no way she was saying goodbye to Aiden – not yet anyway.
    "What's another day?" she added. "I was thinking you could show me around. We could even go on a hike. It looks like a nice day outside."
    "I thought you didn't like nature."
    "I said I'd never had the chance to see much of nature," she corrected. "Unless there's something else you need to do."
    "I don't think there is. Jeanne seems to be on top of everything. Maybe I'll throw a tent and some sleeping bags into the truck. It's past time for a city girl like you to see some stars."
    "I saw a few stars last night."
    He grinned. "Baby, you ain't seen nothing yet. I'm going to grab a shower. Then I'll make you breakfast after you make your call."
    Sara picked up her phone and punched in her boss's number. Garrett Robbins was in charge of the third-year attorneys, as they were called, and while he'd always been supportive of her career goals, Garrett was a tough taskmaster. He put in long weeks and expected the same from the people who worked for him.
    "Sara, where are you?" he asked without bothering with a greeting.
    "My father is in the hospital. There was an accident. I need to stay in San Francisco a while longer."
    "How much longer?" he asked. "We just took on a big client, and I need you here."
    "A week," she said. "At least."
    "A week?" he asked, an incredulous note in his voice. "Are you serious?"
    "My father is hurt, Garrett." She was annoyed that he hadn't asked her how her dad was doing.
    "What happened to him?"
    "He broke his leg. He needs help."
    "Well, it doesn't sound like he's dying. Hire a nurse."
    "That's a little heartless."
    "Sorry, Sara, I'm just swamped. I didn't think you were even close to your father."
    "That's not the point. I have time coming, Garrett. I'm going to take it."
    "If you're not back by Thursday, I'll have no choice but to give this case to Mark."
    Mark was her biggest competitor, and Garrett knew that. In fact, he often pitted them against each other.
    "Thursday," he repeated. "Don't be late."
    He hung up before she could say a word. She stared at the phone for a long minute. She hated the idea of Mark getting a big case over her but it was difficult to drum up her usual indignation. Did it even matter if he got this case? There would always be another one, always another competition. That's the way the firm worked. The partners didn't want anyone to be comfortable. Comfortable equated lazy in their mind. Everyone had to be at the top of their game at all times.
    She was exhausted just thinking about it. She needed the time off – for a lot of reasons, most of which had nothing to do with her father.
    She set down the phone and stood up. As she moved toward the hall, she could hear Aiden's voice. He was singing in the shower. She listened to him