Without You - Mary Baxter Lynn

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      Which scared her senseless.

      She wanted no distractions. She only wanted to perfect and implement a new approach to divorce known as collaborative family law. The process, aimed at making divorce less acrimonious and more cooperative among the parties, was her claim to fame and her assurance of a partnership. Nothing must interfere.

      Like Jackson’s, her rise to professional success had not been easy. The oldest of eight siblings, she was always responsible for someone other than herself. Her father had deserted her mother when her youngest sister, Darcy, was born. From then on, Hallie’s mother drilled into her that she should never trust a man for her livelihood or anything—that she could only count on herself.

      Hallie’s only break from her dreary home life had been school, where she excelled in every subject with the help of her aunt, a successful attorney. Sharon Hunter was a strong woman who saw potential in Hallie and often brought her to her office.

      There Hallie had learned about law and had become determined to become a lawyer when she grew up. Through scholarships and the help of her aunt Sharon, she had attended college and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science.

      Her mother and her beloved aunt were now deceased, which technically placed her at the head of the family. Her siblings, with the exception of Darcy, were scattered over the United States and she rarely had contact with them.

      Hallie’s drive to succeed was all the more reason to stay focused and maintain a safe distance from Jackson. While she was perfectly capable of handling criminal matters, having been successful in the many court appointments received through the firm, she specialized now in divorce law. The logical, smart thing to do would be to just turn Jackson over to Nathan James and not look back.

      This time her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing doorbell. She panicked, thinking Jackson might have decided to pay her a visit. No, she thought, even he wouldn’t be that brazen. Getting up, she trudged to the door and peered through her peephole.

      Opening it, she exclaimed, “Darcy. What on earth…?”

      Six

      Darcy Cox didn’t bother to answer Hallie. Instead she brushed past her, then collapsed onto the sofa in dramatic fashion, muttering obscenities under her breath. Hallie smothered a sigh and tried to control her mounting temper and burgeoning frustration.

      She couldn’t count the times Darcy had arrived unexpectedly, behaving in this manner. Each time it happened, Hallie swore she’d use tough love and send her sister on her way to fend for herself. To date, she hadn’t lived up to that unspoken promise.

      What a waste. It was the first thought that jumped to Hallie’s mind as she looked at Darcy, head back and eyes closed. Even though she was only twenty-five, Darcy was a mess emotionally and physically.

      Still, she was attractive, with blondish red hair, green eyes and a small-boned figure that she used to full advantage. She had been married twice already and had a daughter by her second husband, who had custody of the child—a fact that broke Hallie’s heart.

      While Hallie adored Darcy, her sister was an ongoing disappointment. She only came around when she needed money or a place to camp out. Hallie had gotten her a job as a girl Friday with an advertising firm. But Hallie suspected she had lost that job and was back to her favorite pastime—spending time in bars.

      Hallie had long believed her sister was an alcoholic, though Darcy refused to admit or accept it. Still, despite her promises to herself, Hallie always gave in when Darcy was in need, such as now.

      “I know you’re pissed,” Darcy said, finally opening her eyes and fixing her gaze on Hallie.

      “Concerned is a better word,” Hallie replied in a mild tone, despite her clenched insides.

      Darcy gave her head a shake, her long silky hair swirling around her face and shoulders. “Yeah, right.” Her tone had grown sullen.

      Hallie fought the urge to grab her and shake her. “Have you been drinking?” She hadn’t smelled alcohol on Darcy, but that didn’t mean anything. Vodka was often Darcy’s liquor of choice, especially when she wanted to conceal her drinking.

      “No,” Darcy said, grabbing a pillow off the sofa and clutching it against her chest, her eyes turning venomous. “Why do you always think that?”

      “Because it’s most always true.”

      “It is not.”

      “You look like hell, Darcy. When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep?”

      “Will you just get off my case, for heaven’s sake?”

      Hallie thinned her lips. “Okay. So what do you want?”

      “What makes you think I want something?”

      This was also part of the game—act innocent, then pounce.

      “I’ve had a bad day myself,” Hallie said, “not that you’re interested—” Her voice cracked. “Let’s cut to the chase before this conversation really turns nasty.”

      “You hate me, don’t you.”

      “No, Darcy, I don’t hate you. If I did, I wouldn’t keep letting you tramp all over me.”

      Darcy muttered a nasty word. “No matter how hard I try, I can never be as perfect as you.” Her tone was bitter and full of hostility.

      Hallie cringed. “I don’t recall ever expecting you to be like me.”

      “You never said that, but I can read it in your eyes. You think I’m a failure.” She clutched the pillow tighter, and her eyes and voice grew fiercer. “But I’m not.”

      Hallie bit down on her lower lip to refrain from retaliating. It would only add insult to injury. Anything she could say now would only add rich fuel to an already out-of-control fire. But none of what Darcy had said was true. Quite the contrary, in fact.

      Hallie had gone overboard for her sister’s welfare, her efforts all stemming from unselfish love. However, Darcy would never be convinced of that, especially when she was in such a state, which was the majority of the time now. An overindulgence in alcohol never failed to alter her personality.

      When she wasn’t in such wild disarray, Darcy had a sweet, vulnerable side that touched not only Hallie but others with whom her sister came in contact. Her smile, when turned on full wattage, could charm a canary out of a cat’s mouth.

      “How can I help?” Hallie finally asked into the long silence.

      “I’d like something to eat.” Although Darcy’s tone still bordered on the sullen, at least she wasn’t in attack mode.

      “How ’bout a bowl of soup?” Hallie couldn’t contain her eagerness. Darcy was far too thin, which Hallie was certain indicated she drank most of her meals. The idea that she might actually eat a meal was encouraging. “Or a chicken salad sandwich?”

      The food had come from the deli near her firm, but both choices were excellent. Since she rarely cooked, Hallie had made it a point to find the best takeout places. Food was not a top priority for her, either, but not for the same reason as Darcy’s, thank goodness.

      Darcy frowned, then shrugged her slender shoulders. “I’ll take the soup.”

      Moments later, Hallie returned to the living room with a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and crackers. Unfortunately, Darcy only sipped two spoonfuls before shoving the bowl aside with a deeper frown. “That’s all I can eat.”

      Hallie noticed that she looked green, but refrained from voicing her thoughts, not wanting to set Darcy off again. “Would you like to crash here for the night?”

      “No.”

      “Please. You look exhausted.” And ill, Hallie wanted to add, but again she kept her mouth shut.

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