Teddy Bear Heir by Elda Minger Page A

for a nap."
    She'd thought she'd cried her fill but felt tears welling up. It seemed she was always exhausted these days, what with both the pregnancy and the burden of her deception.
    "That sounds wonderful."
    She was almost to the door when she turned and scrutinized Julian.
    "How did you know?"
    He smiled. "I'd almost lost hope. It was something in your face. A glow. My Mary looked the same way."
    She nodded her head, then walked back to the desk, around the side, and gave Julian an awkward hug.
    "Thank you," she whispered.
    "Ahh," he said, hugging her close. "Welcome to the family, little girl."
     
    * * *
     
    The nap refreshed her. She washed her face and reapplied her makeup in one of the executive bathrooms. Then she walked back to her office.
    Saw the note on her desk.
    And knew it was over.
    Michaela, please see me in my office at three.
     
    * * *
     
    "Of course you understand the gravity of the situation," Joshua Burrell intoned solemnly.
    She'd never disliked him more. She also refused to see things his way.
    "I'm not sure that I do."
    He cleared his throat. She knew he was uneasy with her, didn't quite know what to do with her. If she really wanted to disgust him, she'd burst into tears. But she was determined not to give him that particular pleasure.
    ''You cannot possibly continue to work at a firm as old and established as Coleman, Watts and Burrell while pregnant and unmarried." He paused just enough to give his next words added emphasis. "That is, unless I misunderstand your situation. Are you married?"
    "No."
    "Then it should all be quite clear."
    She’d never been angrier in her life. She loved practicing law. The thought of this man preventing her from doing just that filled her with a fine, cool rage.
    "No it's not. But I realize that to continue to practice law here would not be in my best interests."
    "You've always been bright, Michaela."
    "Don't patronize me. You're firing me and you're going to have a lawsuit on your hands the likes of which you've never seen before."
    Joshua Burrell leaned back in his leather chair and smiled. Now he was on familiar ground. It was inconceivable to him that he could lose.
    "I don't believe so. You may go."
    She left his office, went directly to hers, packed her things, said goodbye to Cassandra, then called a cab and went home.
     
    * * *
     
    Cameron stormed into his grandfather's office with the intention of simply venting some of his frustration.
    Both men had long since disregarded Julian's ultimatum, directly after Cameron had simply told his elderly relative that he wanted to find this woman and not have Nancy feel she was in a marriage in which she would always be second best. Julian had agreed and, except for Cameron's moods, the two men had been getting along remarkably well.
    Julian was on the phone.
    "Just wanted you to know, Joshua, that we have always enjoyed working with Michaela Larkin. I consider her extraordinarily talented with contracts and... oh, I see... yes, you're making yourself quite clear... no, I don't quite understand..."
    Cameron's head came up, his eyes narrowed. Julian's tone had chilled to pure, brilliant ice. He hadn't heard that particular tone of voice in a long time.
    "No, I'm sorry. No, we won't be needing any other lawyer. I shall be getting in touch with her myself..."
    Something was terribly wrong.
    His grandfather was in a rage and Cameron listened as the older man delivered his parting shot.
    "Frankly, Joshua, I've always considered you a rather sanctimonious bastard." He hung up the phone and turned toward Cameron.
    "They fired her."
    "Michaela?"
    Julian nodded.
    "Why?"
    "She's in trouble, Cameron."
    His grandfather was watching him closely as Cameron reached for the suit jacket he'd carelessly slung over the back of the chair.
    "I'm going to her."
    Julian nodded his head.
     
    * * *
     
    By the time he reached her office, she was gone.
    Cassandra, Michaela's petite, blonde personal assistant he'd talked to numerous