Return To Me

“It was nice,” he told the office manager. “I enjoyed meeting your husband, Gwen. It turns out that I went to high school with the son of one of his frat brothers.”

She smiled. “He told me. This world isn’t as big as we think.”

Austin couldn’t agree more.

They talked a few minutes more while she waited for her tea to brew.

“I’d never been to Lowndes Grove Plantation before Jordin’s wedding,” Gwen stated. “And that house...it was stunning.”

Austin agreed. “Jordin told me that it was built around 1786. The owners did a great job with the restorations.”

“I almost want to have another wedding. Just to hold it there.”

He smiled, then checked his watch. “Time to start my workday. I’m covering for Jordin while she’s on her honeymoon.”

“You’ve been pulling a lot of long hours, Austin.” Gwen picked up her cup of tea. “Work-life balance, okay?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Austin took his coffee and headed to his office.

As soon as he sat down, his focus shifted to the stack of documents on his desk.

It was almost eleven when he called one of the paralegals and asked, “Were you able to get the information we needed from the mother?”

“Yes, I emailed it to you a few minutes ago.”

“Thanks,” he said before hanging up the phone.

Right after lunch Austin reviewed a couple of Jordin’s cases. He appreciated the fact that she was so organized with everything he needed right where he could find it.

The sound of a baby crying in the hallway caught his attention, and he felt a wretchedness he’d never known before.

A stab of guilt lay buried in his chest. Maybe if he’d handled things with Jasmine differently, he might have had a chance to be with his son.

From everything he’d been told about Dr. Bree, Austin believed her to be a good woman. According to Jordin, she was also a very good mother to Emery. He wanted what was best for his child. It was this desire that conflicted him.

Austin intended to be a part of his son’s life, but he worried about the effect it would have on Emery. He was safe and secure with Bree. The little boy didn’t know he had a father. How would he respond when Austin made his presence known?

* * *

Austin walked back to his desk and picked up a file. He had just returned to the office from the courthouse. It was after five, but he wasn’t quite ready to call it quits for the day. He’d always driven himself hard, putting work ahead of pleasure.

He also wanted to make his father proud. Austin had a lot of respect for both his father and uncle. Etienne and Jacques DuGrandpre had the same passion for law as their father, and his father before him. It was no wonder he, Jordin and Jadin all became attorneys.

It was in their blood.

He worked another two hours before shutting down his computer.

Tonight, he was leaving work earlier than usual. It was 7:30 p.m. Austin wanted to spend some time at the gym before he went home.

Just as he did every time he was on his way out, Austin paused in front of the large, looming portrait of Marcelle DuGrandpre, his grandfather. Austin’s heart swelled with pride. Despite all odds during a time of racial tension, his grandfather opened the doors of the DuGrandpre Law Firm in 1960. When he died, Austin’s uncle and father took over, the legacy continuing with their children.

“I miss him.”

He hadn’t heard anyone enter the room. Austin glanced over his shoulder. “Jadin, I didn’t know you were still here. I thought I was the only one working late.”

“Unfortunately, I will be putting in some long hours all week,” she responded.

Austin had grown close to his twin sisters, Jadin and Jordin, since moving to Charleston a little over a year ago from Dallas.

“I met him once,” Austin told his sister. “Granddad was in town for a conference or something. He came to the house.”

Jadin smiled. “I’m not surprised. He was all about family.”

“I remember thinking that I was in trouble.” Pointing to the portrait, he added, “He had that same stern expression on his face. But then he smiled at me.”

“People used to think he was mean, but he wasn’t. He would do anything he could to help others. He even offered his services pro bono to those who couldn’t afford to pay.”

“He was a good man. I’m glad I had the chance to meet him.” Austin escorted Jadin to her car, then strolled down the next row to where his SUV was parked.

* * *

He drove the short distance to Holbrooke Boot Camp Gym, which was owned by his brother-in-law, Ethan.

He needed a strenuous workout to expend some of his pent-up energy. He’d been on edge ever since locating his son. Austin gathered his bag and navigated inside.

After a two-hour intense training, Austin still found himself wound tight, his frustration banked, but not eliminated.

When he arrived home, he pulled up his contact list on his phone. He stared at the names for a solid ten minutes before shutting it down. Austin considered calling a young woman he’d spent time with in the past, but changed his mind. She’d made it clear on several occasions that she wanted more than he was willing to offer.

Austin liked her, but she reminded him of Jasmine and that was a path he wasn’t willing to travel down again.

He wasn’t looking for a serious relationship now—his thoughts were consumed with his son. Austin’s heart ached with the knowledge that he had a child who was just beyond his reach.

Chapter 2 (#ud2730ed7-6948-5946-aa73-f126c43397aa)

Bree Collins exited through the doors of New Beginnings Preschool, heading to her car. She checked her watch. She had taken Monday off to wind down after Jordin’s wedding. Since Jadin was currently working on a high-profile case, Bree volunteered to run the necessary errands for the wedding, returning rental items and finalizing payment.

Today she wanted to get to the office early enough to have her first two cups of coffee while reviewing notes before the arrival of her clients.

Her receptionist was on the phone when she arrived.

“Good morning, Casey,” Bree greeted.

“Hey, beautiful.”

She loved the woman’s bubbly personality and genuine demeanor. Her patients adored Casey.

“How was the wedding?” the receptionist asked.