AUTHOR'S NOTE: SAVE SPASHLEY

Chapter 9

Christine drove Spencer to her lawyer's office that afternoon. She had less than five weeks and things were getting complicated. On top of that Ashley was not around for her to talk to.

"Where's Ashley," Spencer asked Christine? "She's assisting Aiden with the horses today."

"I told Ashley I would give you a ride to your attorney's office downtown." "Oh!" Spencer said.

"I thought this would give me a chance to talk to you about Ashley without being interrupted." Spencer squirmed in her seat… "talk about what Christine your daughter is an adult."

"Don't get me wrong Spencer I don't have a problem with you and my daughter being together…it's just that you are in the middle of a divorce and I don't want my daughter to get hurt. From what I have been observing, your divorce is getting complicated."

"You understand, don't you Spencer?"

"Yes, I do Christine."

"The last thing I want is for Ashley to get hurt. I would never intentionally hurt her," Spencer whispered. "Spencer you are only going to be here for five more weeks and things seem to be getting real serious between you two. Once you get your divorce, what's going to happen to you and Ashley then?"

"I don't… " Spencer cut off by Christine.

"You know she's in love with you." Spencer's eyes widened.

"How do you know this Christine?..." "She's my daughter Spencer, I've seen her in and out of love numerous times…but this…this is different and I can see her falling hard and getting hurt and getting hurt badly."

Spencer hung her head down fumbling with her hands, not knowing what else to say to Christine, she remained silent for the duration of the ride.

When they arrived in front of Spencer's attorney's office, Spencer got out of the SUV and looked at Christine.

"You're right in protecting Ashley from being hurt. I can't blame you for that…I just don't know if I can let her go."

"Why not Spencer," Christine asked?

Looking directly into Christine's eyes, "because…I'm…I'm in love with her." Spencer turned and went into the building.

It was Christine's turn to sit, wide eyed in stunned silence.

Ashley was angry that her mother sent her off on a wild goose chase. She knew she was supposed to take Spencer downtown to see her lawyer.

So Ashley called her best friend Madison.

"Hello, Madison."

"Well, hello there my little Butterfly, what's up?"

"Can you meet me somewhere, anywhere, I need to talk?"

"Sure, why don't you come over to my place. I'll have Joe put on some steaks."

"Thanks Madison, I'll see you in twenty minutes."

Spencer sat near the receptionist's desk waiting for her attorney to return to his office. Peggy his receptionist said Mr. Townes had to go to the post office for a package only he could sign for. So, Spencer waited.

"Ms. Carlin, hello…sorry for the delay. Your brother had a package delivered to the post office instead of my office and I had to pick it up in person." "Sorry about that Mr. Townes, my brother can be an ass most of the time. He gets his kicks knowing he's making the opposing counsel chase after things that would move the cases along quickly."

"Yes, well it's not your fault…please come into my office and let's see what he sent."

"So, my little Butterfly, what's got you in such a somber mood? Oh!...wait don't tell me…Spencer," Madison said irritated. "I don't know what to do," Ashley said. "In less than five weeks she'll be gone. I wanted to spend more time with her, I wanted to show her things that only I could show her while in Reno, but her divorce seems to have gotten a little complicated. She's going to be spending more time with her attorney instead of me."

"Why is that Ashley? I thought everything was a done deal."

"No…it's not, it seems her husband is contesting the divorce and to make matters worse the asshole hired Spencer's brother to represent him."

"Wow! That sucks big time," Madison said. "Look at the bright side, she may have to be here longer than six weeks."

"No, Madison she has to go back to New York because of her teaching obligations."

"And there's my mother who lately, seems to be trying to find ways to keep us apart. I confronted her about it. She said she doesn't want me to get hurt."

"Well she's concern…" "that's Bullshit Madison, I know Christine loves me dearly, but she never took any interest in any of my other relationships…Why now!"

"Why do you seem so angry, my little Butterfly? You've only known Spencer a little over a week.'

Ashley looks directly at Madison… "I've…I've fallen in love with her."

Madison eyes widened at this confession and listens quietly as Ashley continues to speak. "I know you think I'm crazy, no one can fall in love in a week's time…do you believe in Fate, Madison?" Ashley not waiting for a reply continued… "I am so enthralled by her. I love the way she laughs, the way she tilts her head when she questions you and the way she kisses. Her lips, her mouth…when we touch I feel like she's branded me. She makes me feel whole, complete… she's my calm against a rough sea."

"I believe we were meant to be together."

"Have you slept with her yet?..." "No, it's not just about the sex, although that's a good part of it," Ashley said smiling.

"We did kiss twice… those two times were magic. If those kisses can sweep me off my feet, I shiver at the thought of what making love to her would be like."

"Oh My God! You are in love," Madison said.

Ashley was so troubled with the thought of Spencer's leaving she began to cry which made Madison reach out with open arms and hug her.

"Well, Ms. Carlin it seems that your husband has proof that you were cheating on him. He claims he has witnesses."

Spencer just sat there dumbfounded.

He has love letters written to you from your lover. He claims he found them in your closet hidden away.

Spencer's reaction to this allegation was calm, "I don't believe this, he has no proof, there is no lover or love letters, he fabricated everything."

"Your brother sent copies of the letters and a list of witnesses. You'll need to look at them."

"How are we going to prove these allegations are false, he must have paid these people a substantial amount of money to lie," Spencer angrily said.

Spencer slumps down in the chair, "I want this to be over…how much does Dexter really want?"

Mr. Townes poured some whiskey in a glass and handed it to Spencer. "Instead of the ten million he requested before, he's added two additional million, which puts it at twelve million." "Two additional million, what for!" Spencer asked.

"Aggravation for having to contest the divorce and he also wants the apartment you shared with him on Madison Ave." Spencer gulps the whiskey down, feeling the burning in her throat and stomach. "I believe he'll back down to his original request of ten million dollars Ms. Carlin, he just wants to vex your nerves right now."

Spencer was quiet for several minutes, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"I…I talked to Glen this morning asking why he was doing this."

"What did he say?" asked Mr. Townes.

In so many words, "he told me he was angry that I didn't have him handle my divorce and since Dexter needed representation, "Business is Business"… "I asked him to quit as Dexter's lawyer. He said he couldn't."

"Mr. Townes, I know in my gut that my mother is behind all this mess."

"Your Mother!" "What does she have to do with it?"

Spencer held out her glass for another shot of whiskey. She went on to tell of her relationship with her parents for several hours. After she had finished, Mr. Townes needed a drink.

"Look Ms. Carlin, from what you have told me. I think we may have an allied in the form of your father, Arthur…right. Yes…Spencer acknowledged. We need to talk with him and soon."

"Well, it's getting late and you need to go back to the ranch and get some rest. Leave your father's name and other information with Peggy. I think I'll make a visit to Mr. Arthur Carlin. In the meantime, you give him a call to let him know what you suspect and that I will be coming to see him."

"Good day Ms. Carlin and don't worry…yet."

"Thank you, Mr. Townes."