The Ballerina's Stand. Angel Smits

could do this.

      After class Susan caught up with him. The speculative glint in her eyes was not good. “So, now are you going to explain to me who that woman in the office was?”

      He wasn’t escaping. “The Haymaker case? You filed it. That’s the daughter.”

      “That’s the daughter?” She stared. “Why didn’t you give her the paperwork?”

      He signed. “She doesn’t want it.” He headed toward the parking lot.

      “She doesn’t have a choice, does she?”

      That’s what Jason needed to figure out.

      * * *

      THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Lauren and Dylan were ushered into a conference room at Jason’s office by the young woman who’d sat at the front desk. Dylan was obviously excited about his training later that day with Maxine, but Lauren could see the fatigue around his eyes. Had he slept at all last night? Was it anticipation, or chasing after Tina, again?

      She almost asked him as they were led into the chrome-and-glass conference room, but held back when she saw a woman was already there. The middle-aged woman smiled at them as she introduced herself in sign. Anne Sidel. She was an interpreter and would help with the meeting.

      Part of Lauren was disappointed that yet another person would be there to hear Dylan’s story. But she also felt relieved that Jason considered it important enough to get it right. Even though Dylan could speak, his interpreting for her, and trying to get the details right, could be too much. And this was too important.

      Jason came in just then, a smile for them both as he held the door for someone behind him. His secretary, Susan, who’d brought the coffee on their first visit, led Will and Rhonda Hancock inside. They were Dylan’s foster parents. Blue-collar and middle class, they were a harried couple. Lauren liked them, but hadn’t quite figured out where Tina and Dylan fit in their busy lives. Both adults worked full-time jobs, often more than forty hours a week.

      Where did their own three kids even fit in?

      Tina shuffled along behind them. Lauren frowned. The young girl with her tight ponytails and demure white sweater was not the budding young woman Dylan had described in his story. In fact, Lauren had never seen her look like this before.

      Lauren looked over at Jason with a puzzled frown. What were they trying to pull? Why the masquerade?

      Before she could say anything, another woman came in. Lauren stared. She was everything Lauren was not. Tall, curvy and a brunette.

      She wore a fashionable, close-cut business suit that conveyed a whole lot more than business. With her long legs and a cap of thick sable hair, she was a commanding presence.

      Jason greeted her warmly, holding her arm after they’d greeted each other with a business handshake. He guided her around to face them.

      Chloe Devries introduced herself, speaking clearly, but not slowly or demeaningly. Anne provided the sign introduction.

      Lauren had to look away to see the interpreter’s hands, but Chloe’s image was burned in her mind. Lauren was often around beautiful women in the ballet, but this one wasn’t just beautiful—she was smart, too. Lauren fought the sense of inadequacy trying to settle over her.

      Chloe was a partner in the firm. Her name was actually stenciled in gold on the massive glass doors. Lauren remembered seeing it the first time they’d come here. She was going to help Jason with this case?

      Chloe stepped toward Lauren, causing Lauren to have to tilt her head back. She didn’t often feel small. Petite yes, but this was different. The woman exuded intimidation.

      “I’ve seen you perform. Magnificent. It’s such a joy to meet you.” Chloe smiled warmly as she shook Lauren’s hand and Lauren relaxed a little.

      “Thank you,” she signed, hoping to diminish her celebrity status. This was about Dylan.

      “Your work with underprivileged kids is almost as lovely.”

      Lauren blushed, not wanting that part of her life to be so public. That wasn’t why she did it. It didn’t help that Jason tilted his head in question, curious now.

      Anne interpreted, but Lauren chose to focus on Chloe’s face. She caught most of her words, and while she could tell the woman wasn’t being fully open, something she doubted Chloe ever was, she was glad to have Chloe on their side.

      Lauren took her seat and everyone settled around the massive glass table. Chloe took control at one end. Lauren and Dylan sat across from the interpreter, and the Hancocks sat at the other end, Tina close at Rhonda’s elbow.

      Jason settled next to Lauren. Though she’d caught a strong whiff of floral perfume when Chloe had walked in, Lauren was surprised when the subtle cologne Jason wore cut through it. Strong. Sharp.

      Forcing herself to mentally step back, she focused instead on the rest of the room.

      Both Jason and Chloe had legal pads in front of them. Lauren wished she’d thought to bring paper to make notes. It always helped her focus and remember questions she wanted to ask later. It also gave her the ability to communicate independently, if need be.

      The question about Tina’s appearance came to mind and she signed to ask to borrow some paper and a pen. Jason quickly complied, tearing off a couple of sheets and sliding them and a pen across the table to her.

      She reached for it, her hand brushing his. She froze as the sensation of his skin touching hers seeped over her nerves. Warm. Solid. Her gaze couldn’t move away any more than her hand could. His hands were big, and for an attorney, oddly scarred. Not damaged—just showing evidence of use beyond shuffling paperwork.

      Looking up, she met his gaze, and for a long minute held it. His eyes were green, with flecks of brown scattered in the iris. A pretty combination, though she doubted he’d appreciate the compliment.

      “Let’s get started.” The interpreter sat forward as Chloe’s lips moved.

      Dylan was just as focused as Lauren on the interpreter. Lauren answered in sign, with Anne speaking her responses as Chloe asked for introductions. Anne explained how Lauren was Dylan’s ballet teacher, a good friend, and that he’d contacted her when he’d first gotten into trouble, knowing she’d understand the challenge of his deafness in the legal system.

      Dylan spoke for himself, signing at the same time and confirming his wish to have Lauren present.

      Body language was a part of sign language. Frowns for negative or intense words. Smiles for happy inviting words. Head tilts also had meaning. But with an interpreter, it was an artificial emotion.

      Lauren found it too easy to lose the meaning of the speaker without the correct body language. She tried to glance at the others as they spoke, to read them, but then she missed words. Her frustration grew.

      Dylan told his story, which thankfully she already knew. When he talked, he faced Lauren and signed to her so she could see his face and body as he spoke. The others could hear him.

      When it was her turn, Tina made no attempt to sign at all, though she was fluent in ASL, having grown up with Dylan. Lauren could tell it disappointed Dylan, and she lifted a hand to ask her why she didn’t.

      “I’m not deaf.” Tina lifted her chin.

      Ah, there’s the girl we all know and love.

      “I don’t have to,” she spat out the words.

      “It makes it easier for Dylan,” Lauren signed and saw Anne’s lips move to repeat.

      Tina shrugged and continued to talk without sign. Luckily, Lauren knew Tina, so reading her lips was easier. Dylan’s disappointment took up space in the room, and he chose to watch the interpreter instead of reading his sister’s lips.

      Lauren put a hand on Dylan’s arm beneath the table. He nodded, nearly imperceptibly, thanking her before moving his arm away.