Tides of Truth [03] Greater Love by Robert Whitlow Page B

later,” I said.
    “That’s not necessary,” Mama replied. “We believe it’s too soon for that step. A trip to California at this point would put too much pressure on the emotional and physical parts of the relationship before there’s a spiritual foundation to support it.”
    “But I’m going to hurt Zach’s feelings when I turn down the job. I don’t want to discourage him or drive him away.”
    “If you tell him why you’ve changed your mind, do you believe that will happen?” Mama asked.
    “I don’t know.”
    “We knew this request was coming and already discussed it. We like Zach, but we want to help you guard your heart so things between you can progress at God’s pace.”
    Guarding my heart was a phrase I knew well. It was a linchpin of all I’d been taught.
    “His ideas and beliefs are different from yours,” Mama continued, “and it’s going to take time to find out if those differences can be compatible or not.”
    Mama was right, and it stung. I thought for a second.
    “Daddy, are you still there?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you still think it’s okay for me to be excited about Zach?”
    “Yes, but I also agree with your mama. And if Zach is the kind of man I think he is, he’ll understand.”
    When I hung up the phone, I hoped that Daddy, too, was right.
    T HE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I RETURNED FROM CLASS, I KNEW I had three phone calls to make. I quickly decided Zach wouldn’t be first. He was going to get an extra dose of bad news—about the job and the trip to California. I debated whether to call Maggie Smith and accept the job or contact Mr. Carpenter first and tell him I’d made a mistake. It made sense to call Maggie and make sure there hadn’t been a last-minute change in plans after she and Julie met with me in Savannah. Calling Maggie first would avoid one disaster scenario. If I backed out of the job at Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter and then found out there was no longer a job available with Maggie and Julie, I would look like a double idiot. I took a deep breath and dialed Maggie’s number at her new office. An unfamiliar voice answered.
    “Smith Law Offices.”
    “Is this Shannon?” I asked.
    “Yes, may I ask who’s calling?”
    “Tami Taylor. I’d like to speak to Maggie.”
    “Just a minute.”
    While I was on hold, I wondered what, if anything, Shannon had been told about me.
    “Congratulations,” Maggie said as soon as she came on the line.
    “What?”
    “I heard late yesterday afternoon that you’d accepted the job with Joe Carpenter. I have to admit that if I’d been in your shoes I’d have done the same thing. Most people coming out of law school would jump at the chance to join a firm like Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter. Opportunities to work with a small firm like ours are ten times easier to land than a position at a prestigious, established firm. Not only will you make more money, you’ll receive the best training available. There’s no way to put a price tag on that. Maybe five or six years down the road it will make sense for us to join forces. By that point, you’ll have clients of your own you can bring along with you. And just because you’re working someplace else doesn’t mean we can’t—”
    “I’ve changed my mind,” I cut in. “I’m interested in accepting your job offer.”
    “You what?”
    “I want to discuss working with you and Julie after I graduate and pass the bar exam.”
    “Did I get wrong information? I heard it from a paralegal I know very well. She received a memo about it.”
    I winced that the news had already been broadcast so widely.
    “No, I met with Mr. Carpenter on Saturday and accepted the offer, but I’ve changed my mind.”
    “Does he know?”
    “Not yet. I thought I should call you first and make sure you still want me.”
    “This is a shock,” Maggie said. “But Julie warned me that you were unpredictable.”
    “I’m sure I wouldn’t agree with everything Julie told you about me, but if by