Free Tides of Truth [03] Greater Love by Robert Whitlow Page B

to the lobby and trudged up the stairs and down the hall to Zach’s office. He was on an Internet sports site.
    “That was quick,” he said when he saw me standing in the doorway.
    “Mr. Carpenter had to prepare for a conference call.”
    “How did he take the news?”
    “Oh, he’s glad I’m going to be part of the litigation team. And he may turn me into the firm’s ethics expert.”
    “Ethic’s expert?”
    “You know, the lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of the disciplinary rules and advisory opinions. If you have an ethics problem, send Tami a memo, and she’ll tell you what to do.”
    Zach pulled his ponytail. “How did that happen?”
    “When I was trying to get his commitment not to ask me to work on a case if I believed it violated my ethical convictions.”
    “And he knew what you meant.”
    I nodded. “Anyway, I accepted the job. I guess I’ll have to work out any problems as they come up.”
    “That’s the way it is in law practice. You can’t anticipate every scenario. And there’s still reason to celebrate.” Zach stood up. “Do you want to go to that French restaurant on Greene Street?”
    “Sure. Vince took me there one time. It’s very nice.”
    W E HAD A WONDERFUL MEAL. T HE UNHURRIED PACE HELPED ME calm down. And Zach made no attempt to hide his excitement that I’d decided to work at the firm. He talked about the future with as much animation as I’d ever seen in him.
    “You’ll have a generous budget to decorate your office,” he said as we finished the main course. “It makes sense considering how much time you’ll be expected to be there.”
    I told him about the contrast between Maggie’s and Julie’s offices.
    “That’s a recipe for resentment,” he said.
    The waiter arrived and we ordered dessert. After the meal he drove me the few blocks to Mrs. Fairmont’s house.
    “Do you think you’ll live here when you come back?” he asked as he pulled alongside the curb.
    “Mrs. Fairmont brought it up last night. I’d love to start out here.”
    “It makes sense.” Zach turned off the car’s motor. “Are you going to Sister Dabney’s church in the morning?”
    “Yes. Do you want to go with me?”
    “No, thanks. I’m helping with the middle school kids’ class at my church in the morning.”
    “That sounds more intimidating than Sister Dabney.”
    “It’s not too bad.”
    “Thanks again for being with me today,” I said. “What time do you want to leave for Athens?”
    “I want you to stay here.”
    It was such a sweet comment that I didn’t know what to say. I looked across at Zach. He put his hand on mine. I didn’t pull away.
    “Good night,” he said.
    “Good night.”
    Inside, I found Mrs. Fairmont dozing in her chair in the den with a college football game on TV. I touched her on the shoulder. She opened her eyes.
    “Did you have a nice time with Vince?” she asked, blinking her eyes.
    “I was with Zach. We drove to Tybee Island and walked on the beach. Then I went by the office and accepted the job at Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter.”
    “That’s nice. But it’s too cool to go to the ocean.”
    “The sun warmed up nicely, and we walked all the way to the south tip of the island. We had the beach to ourselves. Later, we ate dinner at the French restaurant on Greene Street.”
    Mrs. Fairmont stared at me for a second. “Tami, you look like a woman in love.”
    I wished for a mirror so I could know what that looked like. I felt myself blush. I decided to change the subject.
    “Would you like a cup of hot tea before going to bed?” I asked.
    T HE FOLLOWING MORNING, M RS. B ARTLETT SURPRISED ME BY CALL ing the house shortly after Mrs. Fairmont came downstairs.
    “Make sure Mother is ready by ten thirty,” she said. “Ken and I will be by to pick her up.”
    “Ready for what?”
    “Didn’t she tell you? Ever since this summer she’s been insisting we go to Sunday morning services. Half the time I’m not sure she stays awake