Free Heartache Falls by Emily March Page B

to get the job done. Divorce. That was nothing but law office gossip. Somebody had heard about Ali’s new project and … Mac frowned. How had anyone at the firm learned about Ali’s new project? He hadn’t told a soul.
    “Who started the rumor at the firm? Has someone been talking to Ali?”
    His father-in-law shrugged. “I believe she contacted Bob Renwick’s sister. She is—”
    “Ali’s favorite interior designer,” Mac concluded with a sigh. He’d hoped Ali would come to her senses and come home before the news got out. So much for hope.
    “Who is her lawyer?” Charles asked.
    The question caught Mac off guard. “Bob’s sister’s?”
    “Alison’s.”
    Mac’s chin came up. “I’m her lawyer.” When Charles chastised him with a look, he added, “She doesn’t need a lawyer. Look, any talk about divorce, even legal separation, is premature.”
    “I suspected that would be your response. Just so you know, I’ve retained Walt Prentice on Alison’s behalf.”
    Mac sucked in a quick breath. Prentice was the best divorce attorney in Denver. If Mac were in the market, Prentice was the man he’d choose. The fact that Charles had hired the lawyer for Ali didn’t make himangry. It was what he’d expect—if Ali needed a divorce lawyer, which she didn’t. Still, he was surprised at his own reaction to the news. He was … hurt.
    His relationship with Charles Cavanaugh was complicated. He figured if he ever landed on a psychiatrist’s couch, the doctor would rack up big bucks on that subject alone. Since the day Ali introduced them, Mac had worked to earn Charles’s approval. Then, professional interests had driven him. He’d wanted access to Charles’s connections in order to land a prime clerkship. Later, he’d wanted a position in the firm and eventually a partnership.
    Just when his desire to please became personal, he couldn’t say, but somewhere along the way he’d developed a desire to make Charles proud. Was it because Mac had never had a father of his own in his life? Or was it due to the fact that he admired Charles more than just about any man he’d ever met? Whatever the reason, Mac had waited to hear the words I’m proud of you from Charles for more than twenty years.
    It had finally happened at the reception following his swearing-in ceremony. Almost, anyway. While he’d been accepting the congratulations of family and friends, he’d overheard Charles tell the district attorney, Yes, we’re proud of him .
    So proud that he’d hired a divorce attorney based on office gossip.
    “Fine. You do what you feel like you need to do.”
    “I will.” Charles Cavanaugh used the hoe lying nearby for balance as he climbed to his feet. “You know, Mac, when I gave you an opportunity at thefirm, my daughter asked me to refrain from inserting myself into your private life, and up until now, I have done so.”
    Mac couldn’t hold back a snort at that. Charles Cavanaugh had never resisted the opportunity to butt into Mac and Ali’s personal life. Oh, he did it subtly, Mac would give him that, but the fact remained that the man had managed to make his opinion known on subjects as wide-ranging as where Mac and Alison should buy a house, attend church, and shop for groceries to what video games the boys were allowed to play when they were young and what brand sneakers Caitlin should wear while running.
    “However,” Charles continued, “in light of this recent development, I felt compelled to act. That’s why I also hired a private investigator to look into your affairs.”
    That bit of news hit Mac like a punch to his gut. An investigator? Holy hell. How far back would the guy go?
    Bristling with anger and a measure of fear, Mac snapped, “For God’s sake, Charles. Why didn’t you just call and ask me? I don’t have affairs. I’m not cheating on her. I never have. You should know me better than to think that.”
    “I didn’t know what to think, and I’ve been a lawyer too long