Free Derailed by Gina Watson Page A

and how he’d interpreted her behavior.
    “Well, hello there.”
    Everett’s sister had answered the door. “Hi, I’m Ryder. We brought pancakes for Everett.” Fiona felt her face heat as Courtney glanced at her.
    “I’m sure he will be ecstatic! He loves pancakes.”
    She moved aside to let them in. “Ryder and Fiona, right?” She gazed at Fiona waiting for confirmation, and so she nodded.
    “I’m Courtney,” she said to Ryder. “What happened to your arm?”
    She led them through the house.
    “I broke it on a fishing trip—fell out of the boat.”
    “Oh, my.” Courtney grasped at her chest. Looking back at Fiona she said, “You must have been scared.”
    “I was terrified.”
    “It was an accident,” Ryder added matter-of-factly.
    “Here’s the kitchen if you want to get set up. I’ll go get Everett. I happen to know he hasn’t yet had breakfast.” She smiled and walked out leaving them alone.
    “Wow, it’s the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen!”
    Ryder loved to cook and so she knew he’d be impressed by their gourmet kitchen.
    “I bet they have a chef.”
    “Let’s take the food out of the basket.”
    Fiona helped Ryder lay out the breakfast for Everett and she hoped it would be a welcomed peace offering to counteract her behavior last night when he’d been so nice to her and her son.
    ***
    Keiser of Keiser, Brown, and Doyle, was currently spewing a volcanic eruption of expletives into Everett’s ear.
    “Yes, I realize that Mr. Keiser, but the client is crazy. He threw a ten-pound ashtray across the room, breaking the large window, not me.”
    “Still, he wants the window paid for, so that’s coming out of your bonus. We at KB&D, pride ourselves on confidential and professional treatment of our clients. You just tarnished our image. You better be glad you already made partner—this little fiasco would have kept your name off the candidate list.”
    Everett bit hard on the inside of his lip to keep from telling Keiser exactly what he could do with the partner candidate list.
    “We want you to take a week of vacation and come back with a new vision. You’re a good lawyer. We all believe this is a minor setback.”
    “Yes, Mr. Keiser.”
    “Take care of yourself.”
    Everett sat on his bed, gripping fistfuls of his hair. It was just as well he’d been made to quit the assignment. The sooner he could leave Baton Rouge, the better off he’d be. He’d had enough of the town’s man-eating, overreacting women and its brutish, half-crazed land dwellers.
    A knock at his door preceded Courtney’s entrance. “Hey, there’s something in the kitchen I think you’ll want to see.”
    “What now?”
    “Just go to the kitchen.”
    Still dressed in shorts and a T-shirt from slumber, Everett huffed, but stood and slid his feet into flip-flops by the door. He followed Courtney out, but when she went toward her room he asked, “Where are you going?”
    “To shower. Just go to the kitchen. You won’t regret it.”
    Everett made his way down the stairs while he pondered the reason behind Courtney’s secrecy.
    When he turned the corner into the kitchen, he had his answers. Ryder was decorating a plate with whipped cream from a can and having a blast doing it.
    “That looks great, baby. Everett’s going to love it.”
    He cleared his throat and they both turned to stare with wide eyes. To break the ice he smiled. “Morning, what do we have here?” He took the plate in his hands, pulling it up to get a better look.”
    “Smiley face chocolate chip pancakes,” Ryder answered proudly.
    “Mmm. Looks awesome.” Everett took the stool next to Ryder at the bar while Fiona continued to stand at her son’s side. He took a large bite that demolished one of the eyes. “Just as I expected—best—pancakes—ever!” Everett laughed.
    “We’re sorry for being mean. I mean Mom is.” Everett looked to Fiona.
    “Yes, I’m sorry I overreacted. Given the events of the day I was emotional, but