Balancing Act. Laura Browning

Seth emerged from his office with his suit jacket on right before noon, Tessa was waiting on him. She followed him without thinking right to the elevator. As the doors opened and he entered, she darted a glance at the stairwell door.

      “Well?” he prompted. “Let’s go.”

      Tessa stepped in and over to the far side, away from Seth’s looming form. As the doors slid shut, her breathing tightened. This was a mistake. All she could do was stare at the doors as they hissed together. Although she knew it wasn’t logical, her heart beat faster in fear the doors wouldn’t open again. The elevator lurched into its descent, and Tessa fought back the roaring in her ears.

      “Tessa? Are you all right?”

      She clutched the polished wooden wall rail and nodded without looking at him. No way was she going to admit to this man she was petrified of any tight spaces. Mercifully the elevator was an express that went straight from Seth’s floor to the lobby below.

      Seth took her elbow without a word and led her out to his black SUV. He helped her into the passenger seat before going around to the driver’s side. Tessa’s breathing eased and her heart quit racing.

      * * * *

      “Why did you get on the damn elevator if you’re claustrophobic?” Seth snapped as he keyed the ignition. Did he really intimidate everyone to the point they would fail to mention a fear on the level of a phobia? “All you had to do was say something. We could have taken the stairs.”

      “I’m sorry,” Tessa said. “I didn’t think. It won’t happen again, Mr. Barrett.”

      Seth raked one hand through his hair and pressed his lips together, biting back the need to tell her to stop being so damn polite. He’d seen her eyes flash a couple of times when he’d baited her, so he knew there was a temper tamped down in there somewhere beneath her ice queen exterior. He scowled at her. “Where are we going?”

      “Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Alexandria.”

      “I know it. What about your brother? Do we need to pick him up from somewhere?”

      “My attorney’s bringing him,” she replied, already distracted, it would seem, by what lay ahead.

      When they arrived at the courthouse, Seth steered Tessa away from the elevators and up the stairs. She had looked ready to pass out, and she didn’t need to go through that again right before going into court. He glanced at her as she climbed the steps. His office was on the ninth floor of a ten-story building. Did she tackle nine flights every day? It would account for her shapely legs and derriere, some of the first things he’d noticed about her aside from that hair. It burned with highlights so fiery he wondered sometimes if he would singe his fingers if he touched a lock.

      When they reached the top of the stairs, a slender redheaded boy stared in their direction. Seth would have known the little boy was Tessa’s brother even if he hadn’t come sprinting down the hall toward her.

      “Tessa!”

      While the lawyer stood near the elevator doors, her brother knew her well enough–his eyes had been on the stairwell. The boy slowed down as he reached Tessa and threw his arms around her. She bent her head and pecked him on the cheek. Both had the same amazing red hair, but where Tessa’s skin was a creamy light tan, the boy had hundreds of freckles.

      “Hey, Zach! Have you been good for Mr. Stanley?”

      “Yes.”

      Seth was taken aback again when Tessa smiled at her little brother. It lighted her expression with such beauty it was startling. Gone was the seriousness he was accustomed to. In its place her face softened and her eyes shone with warmth and love. She could make a man melt if she looked at one that way, he thought, an odd tightness in his chest.

      The attorney motioned to them from the other end of the hall.

      “Tessa,” Seth prompted. “I think your case is being called.”

      As she looked down the hall, the cool mask she so often wore slipped back into place. Even though she appeared calm, he felt the tension in her as he cupped her elbow so they could hurry toward the courtroom.

      One glance at the couple who must be Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Edwin showed Seth all he needed to know. He’d seen plenty of their kind over the years. They peppered the clubs and restaurants he’d frequented since he was a child. Kathleen and Edwin Price dripped designer clothes and expensive jewelry. If his suspicions were correct, they regarded Zach as a way to finance their lifestyle.

      His gaze shifted to Tessa. Her long hair was slicked back into a French twist. The dark navy suit she wore was stylish but conservative. He knew from looking at her when she’d stood before his desk that morning, the only jewelry she wore were pearl studs and a thin gold chain.

      Seth listened, along with the judge, to both sides. So far the attorneys had done all the talking. At last the judge turned to Tessa.

      “This petition was brought while you were employed as a counselor and social worker for a juvenile services facility. I understand from documents filed by your attorney you have new employment. Would you please describe your job for the court?”

      Tessa nodded and stood up. “I am executive assistant to Mr. Seth Barlow-Barrett, COO of Barrett Newspapers.”

      The judge looked up, spotted Seth and gave an imperceptible nod. Seth’s face was impassive. They had attended the same military school years before and met a few times since then at one social event or another.

      “How long have you held that position?”

      Tessa’s chin rose. “Two weeks, your honor.”

      “Not a very long employment history,” her aunt and uncle’s attorney interjected.

      Tessa turned and looked the man up and down. “It is if you work for Seth Barrett. His last three assistants left within the first week.”

      The judge coughed to cover his laughter and put a hand over his mouth. “Mr. Barrett,” he said at last, “is what Ms. Edwards says true?”

      Seth arched one thick blond brow at Tessa’s back and drawled, “Yes, your honor. What Ms. Edwards says is indeed true, both about her employment and the length of employment of my previous assistants. I might also add she has proven herself to be a very valuable employee. She shows remarkable responsibility and maturity for her age.”

      The judge nodded and turned his attention to Zach. He rose from his seat and said, “Why don’t you join me in chambers for a few minutes so we can talk man-to-man?”

      Zach stepped forward and followed the judge into his office off the courtroom. Tessa turned to look at Seth where he lounged in the row right behind her. While her facial features remained serene, her eyes were a little wider than normal. It was enough to betray her anxiety.

      “You’ll be fine,” Seth reassured her. “Trust me on this one.”

      In a couple minutes, Zach and the judge returned to the courtroom. The boy had a sucker stuck in his cheek and a smile that seemed to go from ear to ear.

      “I see no reason to separate this young man from his sister,” the judge said, staring at Tessa before turning his attention to her aunt and uncle. “She’s shown over the past year she’s putting the needs of her brother first and providing a nurturing home environment. Petition to grant custody to Kathleen and Edwin Price is denied.”

      Tessa laughed and hugged her brother to her. As she closed her eyes next to the boy’s thick red hair, Seth saw one small tear trickle from the corner of her left eye. He swallowed. He understood how close the bond between brother and sister could be. He had often filled the role of protector for Anna. The sad part, he thought, was it was very often against their parents.

      He caught Kathleen and Edwin Price glaring at Tessa and him. Seth arched a brow and stared at them. In a few seconds, they hurried from the courtroom.

      “Why don’t I take you