CHAPTER EIGHT

SIX MONTHS LATER

Della Street stretched as the warm California sunshine shown through her bedroom window. So much had happened in the months since she had left her home in Illinois.

She had a job at a law firm in Huntington Beach working for the husband of her Aunt Mae's friend and associate, Elise. It had sure been an educational experience and she was learning a lot. Just this month she had stopped commuting from Aunt Mae's in Bolero Beach and rented a small apartment.

This week-end she was going with her aunt and Liam, Mae's gentleman friend, to look for a car. Traveling in California wasn't like back east. The holidays were coming soon, and her friend Andrea would be flying out to see her. She couldn't wait to get together and find out more about how things were going back at home.

Della had been able to let her mother know she was safe but not where she was staying thanks to Liam who was the Chief of Police in the small western community.

In about six months she would be 21 and of legal age. So, she could contact her family without the fear they would try to come and force her to go back home to marry a man who had been abusive to her. Although because of his position in the community they would not want to believe he could do such a thing.

What a sense of freedom she felt. She was now on her own, paying her own bills, and soon would have her own transportation. Hopefully they could find a Ragtop she could afford. It would be wonderful to fly down the roads with the wind whipping her hair in the breeze.

Tim Delaney, her boss, was a joy to work for. He had come to the law at a little older age. He and Elise had twins, Jeremy and Thomas who were 10 and a daughter, Allysa who was 7. Elise and her aunt were the buyer and assistant buyer for the, "Your Special Day", bridal chain in the southwest and western parts of the country.

As usual Della beat her boss to the office and had everything for his day set up. Tim didn't really specialize at this point, so she never knew what the day might hold.

Walking through his office door he told her, "Miss Street you are too efficient."

She smiled at his comment. "I try to think of everything."

"No one would ever know you hadn't done this for years," he commented.

"Don't forget you have lunch with David Jacoby at one," she reminded him.

As he sat down in his chair he remarked, "if I decide to specialize in trusts and wills that will be a new learning experience for both of us."

"I'm game if you are," Della informed him.

He picked up the papers she had placed on the center of his desk. As she started for her office he stopped her. "Elise said not to forget you two are going shopping next week for dresses to wear to the Bar Association Holiday Dance. Of course, I am clueless to such things, but it seems they have gotten, and I quote, "some scrumptious new gowns in for the holidays", unquote.

Della's eyes sparkled. "I am excited at going down to Los Angeles for this event. Even more important I have a date, Archie Betcher asked me to go with him just yesterday."

Tim told her, "it is a fun evening and the food and drink is always top notch. You will get to meet people from all over Southern California. Arnie is a really nice guy even if his specialty is personal injury law."

"I am really looking forward to it and I appreciate you and Elise making sure I was invited. You both have been so good to me since we met," she informed her boss.

As she started toward her office he spoke up, "It has really been a blessing having you work here with me Della. It is difficult starting, even in an established firm, when you are fresh out of law school. You and I have been learning together. I just hope some other lawyer you meet doesn't try hire you away."

Standing in the doorway she assured him, "I don't think you have to worry about that. I don't know any other lawyers."

The Law Association Holiday Dinner Dance-Three Weeks Later

Time had moved so fast she was now driving a used crème colored ragtop car. Her work was going very well, and her boss was pleased. She and Elise had found beautiful outfits to wear for the big night. Her friend Andrea was flying out during the holidays from the school where she was teaching, and this was her first real date since moving out west.

That morning she had gone to the beauty parlor and had her hair and nails done. She was meeting Aunt Mae for lunch, so they could catch up on things.

"So" Mae began, "tonight is the big night. Be sure to take some pictures so I can see you in your dress."

Della laughed, "that makes me feel like I am going to my senior prom."

Checking out the menu Mae said, "well it is a big event. Elise told me attorneys from all over the state attend. I saw your dress and I know you will look beautiful and I'm sure Archie will be impressed."

"He is a nice guy, but there is no special feeling there," Della assured her.

Patting her niece's hand se replied, "Sweetheart, it takes time to find the right man. Ask me I know."

"So, can I expect wedding bells?" Della wanted to know.

Mae shook her head. "Probably not Liam and I have both had bad marital experiences, but never say never."

They each ordered a salad and Della wanted to save room for the delicious meal they were supposed to have that evening. They caught up on each other's life and Della went home to rest before the big night.

As she zipped up her evening gown she twirled around. Her make-up looked perfect and her long chestnut curls fell in waves around her shoulders. The forest green, A-line, princess style, floor length, V-neck dress of chiffon and lace swirled sensuously around her. Della touched the lace appliques on the bodice and three-quarter inch sleeves reveling in the fact that they set off the dress just perfectly.

Archie arrived right on time, a little after seven. It would take them about an hour into Los Angeles and the ballroom where the event was taking place. Elise and Tim would be waiting outside her apartment in a limousine. Her date whistled when she opened the door and commented, "I am the luckiest man in the world tonight to be escorting the most beautiful girl."

Della blushed and thanked him for the compliment as he helped her into her black satin evening coat which Aunt Mae had loaned her. "You looked very handsome this evening also Mr. Betcher." He bowed and opened the door, so they could leave.

There had been an atmosphere of merriment, inside the limo, as they drank champagne on their way to the dinner/dance making up toasts. Archie took her hand as they walked into the ballroom. There were twinkling light everywhere, a huge Christmas tree decorated in gold and silver, the smell of fresh evergreens permeated the atmosphere and Christmas music was being played by a quartet.

"They will play during our meal," Archie informed her and later there will be an orchestra that plays Big Band music. I hope you like to dance."

"I love it," Della told him. She was overwhelmed by all the people dressed so beautifully and expensively. Thank goodness she had given in to Aunt Mae and Elise about what to wear. The discount had helped her to afford such an expensive outfit.

The food and drink were as good as promised. They sat at their firm's table and no one seemed to look down on her as a mere secretary. The President of the Bar Association spoke briefly so the dancing could begin.

As soon as the orchestra struck up the tune Archie was on his feet extending his hand to Della. She did love to dance, but she was a little hesitant not knowing how well they would dance together. However, she would not embarrass him and when Elise and Ted got up she reached for his hand.

He wasn't a bad dancer and they relaxed after the first number, "Tenderly", turned into "Sunrise Serenade. When "I'll Be Seeing You", began she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Just as she relaxed she felt them bump into another couple. Della heard a voice with an English accent say, "well I never".

Pulling back slightly she saw a dark haired, dark eyed, petite woman wearing an elegant red and gold satin evening gown that looked like it was molded to her skin. A deep voice said, "I beg your pardon."

Della pulled away from Archie slightly and looked into the most incredible pair of blue eyes. "She opened her lips speak but all she could do was mouth the word, "Perry".

"Do you know HER?" the other woman asked rudely."

Not taking his eyes off Della he said, "calm down Laura, it was an accident." He looked at Archie and apologized.

Noticing Della was shaking her escort said, "let's go sit this one out. I'll get us something to drink."

Stunned, she was stunned. What was he doing here? He was in the Navy. Who was the woman who was so possessive?

Elise and Tim came back to the table and he said, "well you got initiated, having tangled with the world's first-class Bitch, Laura Greer.

"Tim!" Elise exclaimed, "you rarely talk like that."

Before he could answer Della turned to him. "Who is she Tim?"

Looking at her apologetically he said, "she is a lady lawyer from a very prominent California Family. She thinks she is the Queen Bee of the legal profession. The rest of us are hacks."

His wife looked at him and asked, "was it necessary to be quite so vehement about her?"

"My dear wife that woman would step on you, while she is stabbing you in the back to get ahead."

Before Della could ask Elise inquired, "and who was the handsome gentleman she was with?"

Della's ears perked up then. It almost took her breath away when Archie said bitterly from behind her, "why that is Queen Laura's latest. His name is Perry Mason and he is on the fast track to becoming a very successful lawyer. Why else would she be with him?"

"Arch," Tim proclaimed, "you should be so happy you got out of her trap?"

It seemed as if the room was whirling around her. This could not be the same man. He was on his way to the Pacific. Maybe she had too much to drink. Yet he was watching her until the woman he was with possessively took his arm and led him over to the bar.

She said loudly as she tugged at Mason's sleeve, "who is that woman Perry she seems to know you.

He tried to quiet her down but said nothing. Della could have sworn there was a sparkle in his eye when he looked at her.