Home to You

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Home to You

Copyright 2019 by Kendra Mei Chailyn

ISBN: 978-1-68361-361-9

Cover art by Fantasia Frog Designs

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden

without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Look for us online at:

www.decadentpublishing.com

After the death of her parents, Mara Knight sets out to be the best she can be. Years later, she’s battling for a junior partner position in one of New York’s most prestigious divorce law firms. And even though she has no time or patience for love, life is good because she has some awesome friends.

But all good things must come to an end. That is proven in the form of a letter from her estranged sister. The words it holds throw her life into chaos and set her on a collision course with Clay and the brutality of an Alaskan winter.

Clay is a simple man. What you see is what you get. The one thing is, after the last disaster he calls a relationship, he isn’t looking for love. But there is just something about Mara Knight—a certain thing to entice him like no other woman had. But Mara’s past is about to throw up some roadblocks Clay isn’t sure he can or wants to break through.

Eventually—something will have to give.

Hi there!

Thanks for taking a chance on Mara and Clay. I have never written anything like this before. It seems like I’m doing a series of firsts with Decadent. The truth is, Home to You was supposed to be different than what it turned out to be. Sometimes, authors begin a story and they have a specific path planned for it. Home To You veered off track is so many wonderful ways.

I truly enjoyed writing these characters, learning their quirks and what makes them grow. I hope, you enjoy this tale.

Hugs,

Kendra Mei

Dedication

For my darling So, who has shown me strength I thought was impossible.

Home to You

by

Kendra Mei Chailyn

Chapter One

Mara Knight stuck her hand from under her blankets and fumbled with things on her bedside table until she wrapped her fingers around her cell. With her eyes still closed, she tapped where she figured the accept call icon should be then pressed it to her ear.

She grunted.

Gigi! Todd Cunningham said. Please tell me you’re awake.

She jerked upright, the sheets tumbling to her hips. Light streamed through the curtains she hadn’t bothered closing the night before.

Mara groaned. I’m sorry! I’m awake!

She hung up before Todd could say anything else. For a second, all the things she needed to do before getting to Todd for their workout fluttered through her mind. They almost overwhelmed her until she sank her fingers through her messy hair while scrambling off the bed. In her haste, Mara’s feet tangled with her sheets, and she crashed into the floor.

Luckily, she didn’t hurt herself too badly and quickly shot to her feet, blowing a puff of air out her lips. Her bangs fluttered with the breeze then rested on her forehead. She shoved the sheets to the bed then darted down the stairs and into the kitchen. After flicking on the coffeemaker, she ran up the stairs to rummage through her closet for her gym bag. She’d emptied it the day before so the maid could do the laundry but hadn’t gotten a chance to restock it.

Through a flurry of activity and ten minutes later, the bag was ready to go.

Mara grabbed it with one hand while tugging the zipper in place with the other then brought it to the rail and hurled it over to the first floor. Before it landed, she’d already run back to her bedroom to haul on some clothes. By the time she had everything she needed, including a suit for work, files she’d spent the night agonizing over, and a travel mug of coffee, Mara realized it had taken her less than twenty minutes to get it all together.

Pride surged through her as she piled her arms full of stuff and waddled out the door. It locked behind her. Still, she checked the handle with her elbow to ensure it was indeed locked.

She trekked carefully to the elevator and managed to push the call button with her pinky by gingerly maneuvering the pile. Once she had the parking button pressed, she tapped her foot impatiently for the brief ride to be over. The elevator stopped a few times to gather other people, and soon she was scrambling from the lift and toward her parking spot. She mentally counted the number of steps to the bottom and, sure she had the right numbers, Mara leaned forward to set her pile of stuff on the hood of her car. Perhaps she had miscounted because instead of safety, Mara went flying. For some reason the ground wasn’t under her feet like she thought it would be. Her coffee fell one way, her files and gym bag another. Mara wanted to cry.

Yup. She’d definitely miscounted the steps.

Her shoulder throbbed terribly, and she knew this fall had done something to it. Disheartened, she lay there, staring up at the black ceiling of the underground garage, wondering what in the world was happening.

The crisp morning air wormed its way through the open grills of the vents, which whistled their own music before snaking up the leg of her pants to make her shiver.

When she managed to pull herself from the hard surface, the only thing Mara mourned was the spillage of her coffee. She had yet to even take a sip, and already she’d managed to lose the whole thing. She found the travel mug under her car and had to go down on all fours to pull it out.

She gathered the rest of her things and set out toward the gym.

With traffic, and an impromptu stop for gas, Mara finally made it and, after leaving her bag in a locker, she stopped to grab a towel from a stack by the door then found Todd stretching close to the treadmills.

Sorry. She hugged him tightly. You would not believe my morning. Mara strung her towel over the handlebar of one of the machines. I fell—twice.

How?

Getting out of bed then down the steps by my car.

Have mercy.

Mara nodded. Yeah. I just know it’s all downhill from there.

Well, Todd said, I’m glad you didn’t cancel. I mean, if we didn’t work out, I’d never see you.

I’m not too bad, am I? She climbed onto the treadmill and set it up.

Todd did the same. Really? When did we go out last?

Last Wednesday we—

Something not work-related.

Mara began her warmup. She thought carefully of the question but realized she couldn’t think of anything. Wow.

That’s what I thought.

I’m sorry. I just really need to focus right now. Mara’s machine beeped and sped up. I need to get this promotion. Afterward, I’m all yours.

The junior partner deal? When you do score the promotion, I’ll never see you.

Of course you will! Mara said haughtily. I mean, if anything, you know where I work and live.

Todd made a face.

What? Mara asked.

Nothing, he said.

But Mara and Todd had been best friends since college. She could always tell when he had something bothering him. Still, she let it go.

When are they going to decide? Todd questioned. It feels like they’ve been auditioning you and Eric What’s-his-face for what feels like forever.

Pretty much. It’s for however long Molson sees fit.

Todd’s machine beeped, and he began moving quicker. Seems like the best way to do it is to pick the best candidate for the job then teach them with hands-on experience.

Doesn’t work like that, I’m afraid. Sometimes, I wonder why I’m even bothering. I mean, Eric is basically a younger version of Molson. They dress alike. They talk alike—eat the same damn salad for lunch every day. Mara sighed.

Seems like you have your work cut out for you.

Tell me about it.

Well. Todd exhaled. I think you got this. Honestly, I don’t know why you’re so worked up about it. We know you’re awesome.

Sometimes. I don’t know. Once more, Mara’s machine caught her attention, and she began a slow jog. With Molson, who knows? His face gives nothing away. I think that’s the most irritating part about all of this. I have no clue how I’m doing.

You haven’t totally bombed a file. Todd joined in on the run. From what you’ve told me, you’ve been getting some major clients into the firm and winning.

Matt’s right up there with me, Mara told him. To be fair, even though most times I don’t think the guy has a heart beating in his chest—he’s a good lawyer.

No one wants a lawyer without a heart.

Trust me, if you are splitting from your spouse after fifteen years, and he or she is about to take you to the cleaners, a lawyer with a heart is a liability.

You don’t really believe that, do you?

More and more lately.

Todd went quiet and Mara shrugged.

It was the truth. A divorce lawyer could not allow his or her feelings to impede their judgment. Sprinkling emotion into a divorce lawyer was a sure-fire way of not making it in the industry.

No, she had to be as ruthless as the next guy—even more so. She had to use the law, every little loophole to wring every bit of humanity out of the other side. If she wished to make it in the divorce litigation game, she had to be as cold as Eric and Molson were—colder, even.

With their workout over, the two made their way toward the changing rooms. They talked for a little while longer before she hugged him.

We still on for drinks Saturday? Todd asked.

I have no idea. I’m working on this file right now, and I’m going to lose if I can’t figure something out.

Gigi, seriously. All work and no play…

She sighed dramatically and shook her head. Fine—but only for an hour. I can’t be off having fun when a client could lose a lot of money.

I’m hoping one day, you’ll realize money isn’t everything.

Usually, Mara had some smart-aleck comeback for those statements. But even after Todd kissed her cheek and turned on his heels toward the men’s changing room, she had nothing.

***

The wind swirled its way around her head, sinking beneath the fabric of her luxury coat. It wasn’t nearly warm enough for a New York winter, but it looked great. Even with her suit jacket underneath, the icy air sank through to her bones.

Mara frowned and quickened her steps from the parking area and in through the doors leading toward the elevators. In the lobby, she apologized as she almost knocked over someone exiting the lift.

Morning, Mara!

Have a good day, Maurice! She waved at the guard with a grin.

Thanks. You, too.

She crossed the pristine lobby and darted into the second elevator right as the doors began closing. She jabbed her finger against her floor’s button and waited, humming to a horrible instrumental rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

When Mara finally walked out on the elevator and into the chaotic din of fax machines whirring, phones ringing, and people speaking, her law clerk and friend fell into step beside her.

Where have you been? Jo Pao asked in an excited whisper. Why don’t you pick up your phone?

Falling out of bed, down some stairs, and at the gym.

Um…what?

Mara shook her head. Forget about that. What’s wrong?

You didn’t hear it from me. Jo glanced over her shoulders before stepping closer to Mara’s side. But I think Eric dropped the ball on the Wickersham file. Molson might be looking to hand it off. When I came in this morning, he was on the warpath.

Dropped the ball? Mara glanced over her shoulders before dipping into her office. How?

Jo entered behind her and closed the door. I’m not sure. But word around here is it’s bad. We could be looking at a lawsuit bad. If he gives it to you and you fix this—you could be ten points up on the creep.

This is true. Mara couldn’t help wondering what Eric The-Golden-Boy could have done to make Molson so angry. If he was, in fact, yanking Eric from the Wickersham file and handing it off to another lawyer, it would have been something major. Eric was Molson in every sense of the word except in age. When the Wickersham case landed at the firm, Molson hadn’t even considered her for the job. The partners met with the former Mrs. Wickersham in private then decided which associate they’d bring in on the deal. Though Mara had more experience than Eric with all the moots she’d done and tons of other volunteer positions, they’d passed right over her.

Mara remembered how cocky Eric had been as he pranced behind Molson into the meeting with the client.

Well, the file should have been yours in the first damn place, Jo muttered irritably. If Eric wasn’t such a brownnoser...

Mara chuckled, but her mind swam a mile away. Still, she managed to pull it together to give Jo a few instructions for the day, get updated on a couple of other minor files she was close to finishing, and listened to some more gossip from around the firm. A loud knock interrupted their chatter, and they both looked toward the door.

Yes? Mara said.

The door opened, and the legal assistant popped his head in. Um—Mara? Mr. Molson would like to see you in his office—now.

Mara exchanged looks with Jo, but neither said anything until they were alone again. Jo squealed happily, but Mara couldn’t be so optimistic. Instead of saying what filtered through her mind, Mara set to work gathering her notebook, tablet, and a pen.

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year? Jo asked.

I don’t know. We’re barely through Christmas and New Year’s. I haven’t thought about it. Mara glanced at her face in her compact. Her dark-brown skin had lost its luster, and the brown of her eyes paled since she’d been called to the bar. To make matters much worse, the bags under her eyes were getting out of hand.

The stress wasn’t doing her any favors.

She clicked the powder kit closed.

No, Jo said. Valentine’s is a month and a half away, and I refuse to let you sit at home working like you did last year. So, if you have no plans by the end of this month, you’re coming to my place for dinner.

Though Mara wanted to argue, she couldn’t very well keep Paul Molson waiting. He was impatient on a good day—now that Eric had managed to do something wrong, Paul’s mood would be borderline Hulk.

She agreed to Jo’s plan and darted to his office as quickly as her stilettos would allow. At Paul’s door, she stopped to straighten her outfit before knocking.

Come. The reply was terse.

Her heart hammered, but she still managed to calm her shaking hands and let herself into the room with her head held high. You wished to see me, Mr. Molson?

How many times have I told you, Mara—it’s Paul. He grunted. Mr. Molson makes me feel old.

Sorry—habit from growing up.

I understand completely, Paul replied.

In that moment, Mara glanced around. She’d missed Eric sitting there. He’d been so still, she’d missed his presence perched almost at the edge of his seat. Though Eric looked as debonair as he always did at the office, his expression showed one of panic mixed with impatience and anger.

A strange look for a man who always seemed so sure of himself, so borderline narcissistic.

The first time Mara met Eric Denton, she couldn’t believe how gorgeous he was. The moment she saw him, Mara began going through a mental list of all her favorite pickup lines. His bright-green eyes were filled with promise, and she couldn’t help admiring him.

Then he opened his mouth, and she wanted to punch him so hard he’d see stars. Never in her adult life had a man become so ugly to her, so fast.

Sure, when it came to the law, he was as sharp as they came. But Eric wasn’t all that sharp with everything else.

Come, Mara. Paul’s voice scraped through her thoughts, and she managed a smile. And have a seat.

She quickly closed the door and did as he’d instructed. For an eternity, Paul said nothing. He merely rose and approached the window, his fingers jammed deeply into