Tommy left early the next morning but said he'd stop over again on his way home in a few days. He was at ease as ever. Unless it was Mandie's wishful thinking, because even Joe seemed more carefree as they walked to Anna's house. He carried a briefcase with papers for Anna to sign, making him look more business-like than ever, but his shoulders were relaxed, his stride easy.
He'd found a career that excited him. Once, she'd thought Celia and she would open up a lady's detective agency, but now that Celia was engaged, Mandie had let that dream die. She knew her family well enough to know they'd disapprove her opening one on her own.
Joe nudged her with his arm. "All right, what's the matter?"
"Nothing." Mandie looked in surprise at Joe and saw he wasn't convinced. "I was just thinking. How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?"
He shrugged. "I guess it was an interest that grew little by little. I wanted to help you get your father's house back, for one. And I saw how you were always finding ways to help people along with all your mystery solving. It made me look for a way to do the same."
He looked at her with frank approval that sent a warm glow to her heart. She felt proud to know she'd been an influence in his life like that.
"Plus, when that same noisy mystery-solver goes too deep in one of her cases, I can better help her stay on the right side of the law and not be rash."
"Joe Woodard! What's that supposed to mean?"
He grinned teasingly, but there was a warmth in his eyes so that Mandie couldn't hold his gaze long without feeling both happy and shy. She laughed nervously. "I think I'm old enough to not do anything rash—without your help."
Joe sobered, and Mandie bit her lip. She hadn't meant anything by her words, but had he taken it wrong?
Anna and Robin's house came into sight. Maybe the meeting ahead was what he was actually thinking about, and once again, Mandie was reading too much into things.
A buggy with a resigned-looking horse was tied to the fence post of the house, the only sign of activity, for the curtains were drawn over the windows in a closed-off look.
Joe rang the bell, and a good minute passed before any stirring came from the other side. When Anna opened the door, a man darkened the hallway behind her.
"Please come in," she said, stepping aside for Joe and Mandie.
"Is this your expected visitors?" The man approached the light streaming in from the open door. He was a little shorter than Joe with silver-flecked hair and a trim mustache.
"Yes, Mr. Woodard and Miss Shaw, this is—"
"Bill Haskins, Mr. Stevens's attorney." He brushed past Anna to offer his hand to Joe. "You look young, sonny. Law schools must be turning them out faster nowadays. Since Anna has designated you as her representative, I wonder if you would be so good to have supper with my clients at the Franklin Hotel tonight at six, to talk some matters over? If we could all come to terms without bringing this to trial, it would be better for all concerned. I hope you can come as well, Miss Shaw? My clients would wish it." He offered his hand next to Mandie. "Young Robin has you to thank for his safety after his runaway stunt, I hear. See you both this evening."
He made to go before anyone else could put in a word. Anna managed a tight "good day," then he brushed past them all, shutting the door behind him.
"Well!" Mandie blew out a breath. "That was a nice conversation."
Anna laughed ruefully. "That's his way, I've discovered. It's hard to argue with a man who doesn't stick around to hear you. Won't you come sit?" She led the way down the dark hallway into the sitting room, which was also dark.
"Have you a light, Ms. Stevens?" Joe asked.
"Oh! Are the curtains not drawn? Robin does that every day, but he had one look at the lawyer this morning and took off for who knows where." Anna pushed back the curtains to let daylight stream in, tilting her face to the window. "I should have felt it wasn't warm enough in here."
She turned back into the room, rubbed her arms as if to fight away a chill, then indicated the settee. "Please, sit."
There was a catch to her words that put Mandie on the alert. She touched Anna's arm. "Are you all right? What did that lawyer say to you?"
"It isn't worth repeating; he's just a messenger. I apologize for his rudeness, but if you could meet the Stevenses tonight, I would be so grateful. Perhaps you could make them understand how much Robin and I love each other. Perhaps they'll…" She shrugged with a shake of her head.
"Sure, I'll meet them." Joe agreed as Mandie said, "We wouldn't miss it."