The Child Comes First by Elizabeth Ashtree

it would be a nice drive out to Ellicott City on this unseasonably cool June day. He’d look at his mom’s leaking roof, check the place to see what else needed doing, spend a few hours making his mother happy. When was the last time he’d done that? When was the last time he’d done anything that didn’t advance his career as a lawyer?
    In the past twelve hours, he’d done a number of selfless things that the partners would not consider career-enhancing. He’d worked the phones and called in some favors to get Tiffany another bail hearing, praying all the while that Jayda would be able to find someone to foster the girl. Briefly, Simon had considered becoming Tiffany’s guardian himself, but even if he could get himself into the foster parent registry, such closeness with his client could have a negative effect on the case. His objectivity as her attorney could be questioned. Worse than that, his apartment hadn’t been designed with a child in mind. Neither had his lifestyle. So he’d decided he’d ask his mother to take Tiffany in, if Jayda found no one else.
    There would be a price to pay for asking this favor of his mom. She’d hold him to his promises regarding Tiffany with the strength of titanium. He had no idea how he’d keep up his end of the bargain and still stay abreast of all his cases. The lifestyle he’d worked so hard to create would undoubtedly have to be rethought. The only benefit he could see in all this was that he’d get to spend some time with Jayda. It was a thought that confused the hell out of him. Jayda didn’t strike him as a woman with whom he could have a casual fling, and she couldn’t become a lasting part of his life. He needed to get things back on a strictly professional footing with her, despite their earlier flirting.
    â€œBesides,” he said to her, “I’m not about to give my mother the opportunity to tell you all her stories about my youthful indiscretions. At least not unless I’m there to defend myself.” He smiled as he said this, but mentally he berated himself. Why did he care what stories Jayda heard? What did it matter? How could her opinion of him make any difference in the long run?
    â€œI look forward to the stories and to hearing you defend yourself. Should I meet you at your office?” She took out her wallet.
    â€œI’ll get the bill. You’re a client, after all, and I have an expense account.” He winked at her and she chuckled. “Meeting at my office would be perfect.”
    She slid out of the booth and stood. Average height, slim figure, brown hair and eyes, functional clothing. Nothing special. And yet…
    â€œI’ll be there,” she said.
    Â 
    â€œN ICE AFTERNOON FOR A DRIVE ,” Jayda said when they were once again side by side in his Mustang. The seats were just as close together as they had seemed the first time, but she found herself a little more relaxed today. Progress.
    She watched Simon put his key into the ignition, but then he hesitated a moment before turning it. “I haven’t gone out to Ellicott City in months.” He sounded almost wistful. “It’s pretty out there, and I should go more often. For my mom. And for me.” The engine roared to life. “You know how, when you go back to where you grew up, you can regroup, recharge…Restore?”
    Jayda nodded, telling herself that most people would understand the sentiments he expressed. But she didn’t feel anything positive about the house in which she’d grown up. In fact, she’d vowed never to go back, and she’d kept that promise to herself. Some time ago, her mother had sold it and moved into an apartment. Jayda wondered if she could ever make herself visit her only living parent again. Doing so would likely help her to put the past into perspective and ease her toward forgiveness.
    â€œWhere did you grow up?” Simon asked,