Page 129 of A Legal Affair

She grinned, knowing he would never change. Loving him for it, anyway.

“You look fabulous,” Janie told her with a huge grin. “Your skin has a sun-kissed glow, and the barely there makeup is a very nice touch.”

Daniela chuckled. “Is that your subtle way of thanking me for putting a little more effort into my appearance this morning?”

“I wouldnever,” Janie said, all wide-eyed innocence.

“Yeah, right.” Daniela grinned. “I brought back souvenirs for everyone, including the kids. But I forgot them at home. Remind me to bring them tomorrow. Oh, and—” She broke off as the desk phone trilled.

“We’ll catch up over lunch,” Janie said, reaching for the phone. “I want to hear all about your trip.”

“Gotcha.” Daniela left the reception area and walked down the hall to her office, where she immersed herself in a mountain of paperwork.

Two hours later, she was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t look up when Janie appeared in her doorway.

She had to clear her throat to get Daniela’s attention, and there was an odd note of excitement in her voice when she announced, “You have a visitor, Daniela.”

Daniela glanced up—and froze. There, standing behind Janie in an impeccably tailored navy blue suit, was Caleb.

Heart pounding wildly, Daniela just sat there, afraid to speak, afraid to move, gazing at the unbearably handsome face that had haunted her dreams and tormented her every waking thought for the past sixty-seven days and counting.

She wondered if he was a figment of her imagination. Had her grief over losing him finally sent her over the edge, where she was now hallucinating and conjuring visions of him?

Janie cleared her throat again, louder this time, and the sound was as jarring as if she’d snapped her fingers under Daniela’s nose. “Daniela,” she said in the same pleasant,courteous tone she used to announce the arrival of their clients, “I believe you already know Mr. Thorne.”

“Of course,” Daniela murmured, getting slowly to her feet on legs that felt like overcooked pasta. “Thank you for showing him back,” she said to Janie, signaling that she could now leave.

But Janie lingered, her dazzled gaze glued to Caleb. “Would you care for some coffee, Mr. Thorne?”

Caleb’s dark gaze stayed on Daniela’s face as he stepped into the cramped office. “No, thank you.”

As Janie departed, she gave Daniela a huge grin and an enthusiastic thumbs-up, both of which were lost on Daniela, who couldn’t take her eyes off Caleb.

Once they were alone, she didn’t know what to say, or how to even start. Whenever she’d imagined this moment, she’d always said…nothing. Because she’d never imagined that this moment could ever come true.

She opened her mouth. “Caleb?—”

One thick brow sketched upward. “Do you always greet your clients by first name?” he inquired in the deep, compelling voice she’d missed so much.

Her nervousness turned to puzzlement. “No, but…you’re not a client, Caleb.”

“Don’t be too sure about that.”

Her heart sank. “You—you’re here to use our services?” Of course he wasn’t here seeking a reconciliation. It had been too good to be true.

Without awaiting an invitation, Caleb sat down in one of her visitor chairs. “I need you to help me locate someone,” he told her briskly.

Daniela sat down slowly, disappointment making her throat ache. “Caleb, I really don’t think I’m the best person to help you.”

“Why not? Youarelicensed, aren’t you?”

“Of course. But I can’t…I mean, this is too awkward for me. Maybe one of my brothers can?—”

“I don’t want one of your brothers, Miss Roarke,” he interrupted, his gaze intent on her face. “I want you.”

Daniela’s belly quivered at the husky timbre of his voice when he spoke those last three words.

“All right,” she said shakily. She searched for a pen and a notepad beneath the clutter on her desk. As she did, she noticed Kenneth and Noah passing by her office and glancing inside with unabashed interest. When they doubled back and walked past again less than five seconds later, she smothered an exasperated sigh and got up to close the door.