Page 10 of Conail (Members From Money Season 2, #150)

Michael had been her first and only and it had taken six months for her to realize that he was an egocentric who was never satisfied with anything.

He had wanted to be stroked and petted. A failing artist, he had resented her success, putting her down every chance he got.

He had smashed her self-esteem and her pride.

It had taken her almost a year to give him the boot.

Now, she stayed away from any sort of physical relationship, because she was not ready. Pressing a hand to her stomach, she sucked in a breath. She wanted a family of her own one day, of course. But first she was going to be thinking of the business end of things.

Her family needed her. She had taken a good look at her dad and was alarmed at how shaky he was. And the amount of medication he was required to consume. She wanted things back the way they were before. She wanted the farm to be producing.

And she wanted to see her brother happy again. He might fool himself into thinking he did not need Maddy, but he did and while she was here, she was going to see to it that they got back together. It was the least she could do.

*****

To her credit, Madeline listened without saying a word.

Yasmine realized how much she appreciated the silence and lack of judgment.

She had called to make an appointment at her friend's newly appointed office in the center of the town area.

The little storefront area had once been a dress store, and the owner had moved out two months ago.

Madeline had hired someone local to make some changes and the place looked very different. She had not hired an assistant yet, but it was early days yet and she had gotten just two clients aside from Yasmine.

"Are you sure you want to go through with it?" she asked quietly when Yasmine wound down.

"Positive." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I have to."

"Honey—" Leaving her tidy cherry wood desk, she came to sit next to Yasmine. "I am speaking as your friend now, not your lawyer. This procedure is going to be intrusive and can be exhausting and frustrating. And after going through all the tests, it might not happen."

"Thanks for the positive pep talk." Yasmine blew out a breath. "It has to work, the farm depends on it."

Madeline patted her hand and sat back, her hands clasped in her lap. "How is Colin doing?" She shook her head when her friend turned to stare at her. "This is not about me."

"I don't mind deviating from the topic." This time she was the one who reached out to touch the girl's hand. "He's unhappy. And stubborn. Each time I try to bring up the topic with your name, he shuts down. Honey, you have your work cut out for you."

The other girl sighed heavily. "I hurt him, Yaz.

It was as if I took a sword and jammed it through his heart.

We were great together." Her expression turned wistful.

"I was frightened and too young to appreciate the intensity of what we had.

He loved me and I took it for granted." She shrugged.

"I love him, and it took going away to make me realize that he's the only one. I want him back."

"Then fight for him." Yasmine squeezed her hand. "Don't accept the cold shoulder or the anger. Beneath all of it, he loves you. He's angry and hurt but find a way to get through to him."

"He's hung up on the fact that I was with someone else."

Yasmine's hand tightened on hers. "Men! It's more ego than anything else."

The other girl uttered a shaky laugh. "It's more than that. I hurt him and I want to show him how much I am hurting now. How much I want to be with him."

"And I'll do everything I can to help you."

Madeline blinked back the tears. "Okay, enough about my issues. Let's get to yours."

*****

"Yasmine, this is Errol Grant, the lawyer representing my son.

" Eleanor sent her a reassuring smile as she introduced the very refined and elegant looking man in the expensive and sharp pin-striped suit that looked out of place in her mother's slightly shabby living room.

As usual, her father and Colin had made themselves scarce.

Yasmine had a feeling he had disappeared because he knew Madeline would be here.

"I'm representing Mr. McLaughlin." The man had an upper crust accent that whispered New England.

His ash blonde hair was meticulously cut; his body lean and elegant.

"We've taken the meeting here because of the privacy issue.

" Light blue eyes swung around the room, taking in each of the occupants.

Her mother had served tea and crumpets, which had been left untouched.

"The document is simple and clear cut and easily understood.

" He glanced at Madeline. "You will advise your client of the necessary steps.

My client wants nothing to do with the entire proceedings and has left everything up to me and his mother.

" His expression softened as he turned to look at Eleanor.

Why, he's in love with her! Yasmine noted with a start. And wondered if the woman knew or even cared.

"We have a doctor who specializes in IVF and a nurse who will be doing the treatments.

It will be a small team, and all the treatments will be administered here for privacy and discretion.

There's also an NDA section attached to the document, which details the fact that you will never be allowed to discuss what is happening here outside this room. "

"I understand and it goes without saying that I have no desire or inclination to discuss any of it." Yasmine told him coolly, hackles rising at the superior look on the man's lean and attractive face. "How soon?"

"As soon as you sign on the dotted line.

Your lawyer will go through the fine print with you.

After you sign, the documents will be collected, and the procedure begins.

" He cleared his throat. "You will have to do your part by tracking your cycle and temperature, but Dr. Vivian Greene will explain all of it to you.

Any questions?" He looked around the room and when he encountered silence, he opened his briefcase and took out the wordy document.

"As soon as you sign, a check will be deposited into your account.

Half of the agreed upon amount." Snapping the case shut, he indicated the ending of the meeting. "Eleanor?"

"Could you wait for me in the vehicle?"

The man hesitated briefly and then nodded.

She waited until she heard the front door close before turning towards Yasmine.

"You have to forgive Errol; he's been a lawyer for almost fifty years and happens to be the best. He's also a family friend.

" She beamed, hands clasped in front of her.

"I owe you. It's not about the money; I will always be grateful to you for agreeing to do this. "

"I'm doing it to save the farm." She said stiffly. It sounded so clinical, like she was selling her soul.

"I am grateful nonetheless." She rose gracefully, sensing that this was not the time to press her point. Passing a hand over her pearl pink jacket, she turned to look at her friend, a silent look passing between them.

"I'll see you out, Eleanor."

Yasmine waited until the two women had left the room before leaning back and closing her eyes. "I'm now starting to feel the pressure." She admitted.

Madeline had been leafing through the documents, reading swiftly. "It's very concise." She murmured. "And clear cut." She glanced at her friend. "And the amount of money is staggering."

"Which is why I am going through with it. That lawyer is intimidating." She pressed a hand to her stomach.

"What am I?" Maddy snorted. "Chopped liver? I would have you know that I was one of the best in my firm—I'm a shark, honey."

Yasmine turned her head to stare at the petite woman with the tidily styled chignon and the powder blue jacket over the trim jeans and had to laugh.

"I'm sure you are. Oh God, Maddy, what the hell am I doing?"

"Saving your family. I saw the look on your mother's face and know that she's very relieved."

"Okay, I'm doing this for my family. Right." Pressing a trembling hand to her stomach, she closed her eyes briefly. "Let's sign on the dotted line. I want to get started as soon as possible."

Outside, Eleanor reached for her friend's hand as they made their way to the vehicle. "It's starting."

"It is." Maeve linked their fingers. "And we're hoping for the best."

"Nonsense, darling. We're hoping for more. I will see you later in the week."

She slid into the back seat as the driver opened the door for her.

Settling back against the snug leather seat, she reached for the glass of champagne Errol held out for her.

"Thanks. What do you think?"

"The contract is iron-clad—"

"Errol, if I wanted your opinion as a lawyer, I would have asked.

" She told him mildly, eyes laughing at him over the rim.

Over the years, he had come to mean a lot to her.

After her husband's death, he had been there for her through everything.

She knew he had feelings for her and was just now taking notice of it.

She had told him she wanted to take things slow—she was determined to see to her son's happiness before taking care of her own.

Lifting the delicate hand she had on the seat between them, he brought it to his lips.

"I don't approve of your matchmaking efforts.

" His blue eyes twinkled. He had loved her for too many years to count, including the time she had been married to his best friend.

And would do anything for her. "I don't want it to backfire.

And to my knowledge, Conail has no intention of getting involved. "

"He will." She uttered confidently.