“Well, Ms. Post, I’m very sorry about the boy’s family situation, but that doesn’t excuse stealing.”
She glared. “Of course not. But he needs help, not legal trouble.”
He crossed his arms and settled onto his heels. “And I happen to think the legal system is the best way to make sure he gets that help. He’s going into the mentor program, right?”
She nodded, but didn’t look any less upset. “You couldn’t have known that would be the final result, though.”
“Actually, the prosecutor’s office assured me that was the most likely scenario. And I’ve had some experience with juvenile courts—they don’t go throwing young kids in jail if they don’t have to.”
“Thank goodness for that.” She tossed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “But he’s had a hard time, and deserves a second chance.”
“And he’ll get it.”
“No thanks to you.”
Tyler checked to be sure his daughters were still safely playing on the swings, then turned back to the angry woman in front of him. Dressed smartly in black slacks and a crimson blouse, she looked like she should be in a boardroom, not at a playground. But if she was a lawyer, that made sense. As did her confrontational communication style. But he wasn’t a witness on the stand, and she didn’t intimidate him. Impressed, and even a bit attracted, but not intimidated. “Actually, I intend to be a very large part of it. I’m going to be his mentor.”
“You’re what?” He could almost taste the anger and frustration pouring off of her as she digested that bit of news. “Haven’t you done enough damage? What more do you want?”
“To keep him from making any more mistakes. Listen, I get that you are worried about him, and that’s admirable. And I’m sure it helps. But a boy that age needs someone who can teach him how to be a man.”
“And what makes you the right person for the job?”
“Nothing really, except I’m willing to do it. I turned him in because I thought it was the best way to teach him a lesson, to keep him from getting into more trouble down the road. I made a few mistakes of my own at that age, and someone stepped in and helped me out. I figure now it’s my turn.”
She blinked at him, a wary respect replacing the look of disgust she’d worn only a few minutes ago. “Well, I hope that’s the truth. But you should know, he’s asked me to be there when he meets with you, and I intend to do just that. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” With that she spun on her high-heeled shoe and strode off.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said to himself, watching her retreat. No, he had no intention of keeping her from joining them; in fact he found he was almost looking forward to another meeting with the fiery lawyer. Ever since his wife’s death, his friends and family had treated him with kid gloves—always careful how they spoke, what they said. No one wanted to upset the grieving widower. He appreciated the sentiment, but a man didn’t want to be handled like a child.
Dani, on the other hand, had gotten in his face, telling him what she thought without holding back. That kind of forthrightness was refreshing and, he was shocked to realize, a bit of a turn-on. He hadn’t had a physical reaction to a woman in longer than he could remember. He’d had chances; plenty had been interested in stepping into his late wife’s place. But none of them had sparked the kind of attraction he’d felt just now.
Of course, it wasn’t going to lead to anything: he was already overwhelmed with running a business and caring for his daughters, not to mention the new responsibility of being a mentor to a troubled boy. The very last thing he needed was one more complication in his life—romantic or otherwise. But still, there was no harm in looking. No harm at all.
Dani parked her red convertible, a gift to herself when she’d been hired at Whitehorn and Watts right out of law school, in the gravel lot in front of the Paradise Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Making the payments was a bit harder on her current, significantly lower salary, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to trade it in for something more economical. From the backseat Kevin peppered her with questions, anxious to see the animals, and probably equally anxious about coming face-to-face with Tyler Jackson. Dani had worried that the boy would balk at the idea of the shopkeeper being his mentor, but she’d assured Kevin that the man wasn’t looking to punish him, just help him. Hopefully that was the truth. She’d been up half the night wondering if she should have petitioned the court for a different mentor, one not associated with the case. But it was too late now, and with Kevin being so brave, she didn’t want to undermine his confidence by backing out.
“What about tigers? Do they have tigers?” A glance in the rearview mirror showed Kevin practically bouncing in his booster seat as he swiveled his head from side to side, trying to spy one of the animals she’d told him the center housed.
“Nope, no tigers. Remember, I told you they take care of native species, animals that live in Florida naturally. But they do have a panther, which is kind of a cousin to a tiger. His name is Simba.”
“Okay, that’s cool. Can I pet him?”
“Definitely not.” She got out of the car and opened the back door, leaning in to look him in the eyes. “You don’t touch any of the animals unless an adult says it is okay, got it?”
He nodded solemnly, his serious expression at odds with the sparkle in his eyes. Seeing him this excited, this happy, made her heart flip-flop in her chest. Rumpling his hair quickly, she backed out of the way so he could get out of the car, then led him to the main building, where Tyler was supposed to meet them.
The low-slung brown-and-green wooden building nearly blended into the woods around it. Groupings of native plants, many chosen for their attractiveness to butterflies, lined the path to the front door. Set on land designated as part of the Paradise Wildlife Refuge, the rehab center served a vital purpose. Injured animals were treated at the hospital on site, and then released when they were ready. Animals that couldn’t be released were allowed to live out their lives at the center, where they were cared for by the staff and a dedicated team of volunteers including Dani and her sister. Dylan Turner, the director, had become a close friend. Seeing how gentle the big surfer dude was with injured animals had put her at ease around him during a time when her defenses had been at an all-time high.
Opening the door, she spied him sitting at his desk, behind the big reception counter that separated the public area from the staff office. “Hey, Dylan! Working hard?”
Shaking his blond hair out of his eyes, he smiled wanly. “Always. You know how busy spring is...lots of babies being brought in this time of year.”
“Any we can see today?”
“Sure, I’ve got a possum back there to show you two, if your friend there would like to see it.”
“I’m sure he would.” She gestured between them and made introductions. “Kevin, this is Mr. Turner. He runs this place. Dylan, this is Kevin. We are meeting a new friend, and then we’d love a tour, right, Kevin?”
“Definitely!”
Perfect. When she’d talked to Tyler on the phone to discuss possible outings, he’d suggested the ice-cream parlor on Lighthouse Avenue. Which probably would have been fine. But this seemed so much cooler for a kid, and she’d convinced Tyler it was the better choice.
The bell over the front door rang, cutting off her mental self-congratulations. Looking more casual but just as intimidating, Tyler walked in wearing cargo shorts and a plain white T-shirt, dark glasses hiding the piercing blue eyes she remembered from the courtroom. Beside her, Kevin crowded closer. Clearly