Free Justice Healed by Olivia Jaymes Page B

stood, clutching her purse as if it was a lifeline. Scout sprang to life, watching her intently. 
    Tanner stood as well, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.  "Whatever you need, day or night, you call me.  Promise?"
    Stacey sniffled and ruffled Scout's fur.  "Promise.  Thank you, Tanner.  I know we can always count on you."
    He walked her to the door.  "Does Abby know yet?"
    Stacey stepped out onto the porch.  "I assume Chris will tell her and Fenton.  You know Abby and I don't have the greatest relationship."
    Abby had never thought any woman would be good enough for her baby boy, hence her chilly demeanor when dealing with Stacey. 
    "You're probably right.  I'll talk to you after I've talked to Chris.  Still the same cell number?"
    She nodded and headed down the driveway to her old car.  Tanner had wanted to buy them more reliable transportation when Annie was born but Stacey had been too proud to allow it.  He watched her drive away, impervious to the bitter cold and lost in thought about his herculean task.  He'd promised to talk to his son.
    And he would do it.  He'd promised Stacey.  He didn't think it would make a damn bit of difference but he'd try.  One more time.
    Tanner glanced at his watch and scowled.  Finding his son was the issue.  What dive watering-hole would be open at eleven o'clock in the morning on a Sunday?
    None.
    That meant Chris was sleeping it off somewhere.  Tanner headed back into the house to grab his coat and keys.  He had some drunken, hung-over butt to kick.
    "Scout, watch the house for me.  I'll be gone for awhile."
    The dog barked as if he understood every word, parking himself on the living room rug.  He was sprawled as if he didn't have a care in the world.  Tanner chuckled as Scout's eyes closed.  The dog would be snoring within minutes.  Tanner would love to be as carefree, if only for a day.  But he wasn't a dog, he was a father.  A father who needed to have a talk with his son.  It wouldn't be the last.

Chapter Seven
     
    Madison almost fell into the chair.  Her feet hurt, her head hurt, and her credit card was screaming after the workout she'd given it.  She grunted with relief and flexed her feet, stretching her toes inside her warm Ugg boots.  They had literally shopped until Madison couldn't take it anymore, so Sherry had dragged them both to one of the mall restaurants for a bite to eat.  Madison could only hope the shopping portion of the day was complete.
    "You need to exercise your shopping muscles more."  Sherry laughed, helping Madison stack the purchases in the two empty chairs at their table.  "You're out of shape."
    "I think my credit card actually caught fire at the last store.  I'm sure I'm going to hear from my bank when they see a long list of charges at the mall."
    "When they call you can tell them your friend helped you be stylish and sophisticated."
    Madison couldn't argue.  Although the delicate and lacy underthings Sherry had insisted on Madison buying wouldn't be seen by many, if anyone, the other garments made her feel amazing.  When she'd put them on and gazed in the mirror, it was hard to believe it was herself gazing back.  The old saying about clothes making the man were true, or in this case the woman. 
    "I really do need to thank you.  I never would have thought to even try on most of what you picked out.  They didn't look good on the hanger."
    Sherry leaned over the table.  "The secret of shopping.  Sometimes great clothes look terrible on the hanger.  They need a great figure to fill them out.  You have one.  I swear everything you tried on looked like it was made for you.  I almost hate you."  Sherry grinned.  "And lunch is on me since you took my advice without too much fuss.  I expected to have to do much more persuading."
    The waitress came to the table and took their drink order.  Sherry ordered a Coke and Madison ordered an iced tea. 
    "I want to look nice.  When I wear those clothes, I