Home Free - Fern Michaels [77]
Nikki was already slipping into a long all-weather coat the color of burgundy. She plopped a rain hat on her head, pulled on boots and gloves, then held out her hand. “I’m ready, husband of mine.”
“I love the way that sounds.”
What should have been a three-minute walk to the Knife and Fork turned into a twenty-two-minute walk with hard, icy rain pelting them. In the end, Jack guided Nikki to the cobblestone road and held her arm tightly. It was slush up to their ankles, but they managed. Both of them sighed when they entered the small eatery. Both of them were surprised when the hostess told them it was a ten-minute wait. They hung up their coats and took a seat along with four other couples waiting to be seated.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. The temperature is dropping. By the time we leave here, it’s going to be pure ice out there,” Jack said.
“Nonsense, and do we really care? No, we do not. Think of this as romantic,” Nikki said. “We held hands the whole way here. If we have to, we can slide on our bums all the way home.”
Jack laughed and mouthed the words I love you. Nikki mouthed the same words in return.
Fifteen minutes later, when they were finally seated, Nikki said, “Jack, did I tell you I think I have Alexis convinced to go to law school? You know I was in court all day yesterday, even though it was Saturday, because court was dark for two days with no heat. When I got back to the office, there was Alexis, manning the fort. She’s a natural. I think between you and me, and a few other people I know who can pull strings, we can get her into law school if she wants to go.
“The firm will pay for it as long as she signs on to work for us when she graduates. She wants to, but she doesn’t think she’s got the smarts to do it. I also think she thinks she might outshine Joseph Espinosa. I don’t know whom she loves more, Joe or his family. She absolutely adores Joe’s mother. I don’t think she would want to put that relationship to the test, and she might back away for that very reason.”
“Do you want me to have a little preemptive talk with Espinosa?”
“Yeah, that would be great, but don’t come on too strong. Talking to Ted might also help since the two of them are so tight.”
“Consider it done,” Jack said, picking up his menu and perusing it. “I love their Canadian bacon, so I think I’ll go for that and two eggs over easy. And some fresh-squeezed orange juice. Wheat toast with some of that blackberry-raspberry jam they’re so famous for. How about you, Nik? You as hungry as I am?”
“I’ll have the same, but let’s split one of their potato-onion casseroles, too.”
Jack gave the order to the waitress after she filled their coffee cups.
Jack leaned back in his captain’s chair and smiled across the table at his wife. “Seems like the only time we get to play catch-up is on the weekends. What’s new?”
“That’s so true, Jack. We really have to make more time for us. I thought that would happen when you and Bert took over Harry’s training.”
“Yeah, well, if Harry hadn’t screwed things up, it would have happened. We got him going in circles now. Bert cracks the whip, I can tell you that. Harry has agreed to everything we set up. I wish we could take the credit, but down deep I know it was Yoko who set Harry straight. He’s coming along well, and I think he has a really good chance of taking the title in the spring.”
“Did Yoko tell him yet?” Nikki asked.
“Tell him what?”
“Well, Myra and Annie swear Yoko is pregnant, but she hasn’t said anything to any of us to confirm or deny it, but by the same token, we haven’t asked. Morning sickness,” Nikki said, as if that would explain everything to Jack, who just looked blank.
“That’s really great if it turns out to be true. Harry can’t keep a secret to save his life, so I have to say no, he doesn’t know. If he knew, he’d be out running the streets, shouting at the top of his lungs. No, he doesn’t know,” Jack said