“Then why do you have to go home?”
“I’m doing this for myself.”
Silence stretched. Hugh took his measure, much as the seasoned litigator did during meetings with opposing counsel.
Tension ebbed from Ean’s neck and shoulders as he gained confidence in his decision. He hadn’t made this choice lightly. He’d sp
ent the past five months weighing the pros and cons, what he felt against what he knew. In the end, the two were the same. He felt the need to return to Trinity Falls, Ohio, and knew he had to make the move now.
Would someone like Hugh Bolden understand that? The firm appeared to be everything the partner wanted. Ean couldn’t allow that to happen to him.
Hugh sat back in the tall executive seat made of brown leather. His expression cleared. “Do you want a leave of absence?”
“No.” Ean rose, gathering his writing tablet and silver Cross pen from the table. “You’ll have my resignation before the end of the day.”
He checked his bronze Omega wristwatch. It was almost ten o’clock on the last Friday morning in August. He’d already put in more than four hours.
Hugh stood. Concern was evident in his expression. “You’re resigning? Isn’t this sudden?”
“I don’t think so.” Ean slid his hands into the front pockets of his dark gray Hugo Boss pants. “I appreciate the opportunities you’ve given me, Hugh, including the partnership two years ago.”
Hugh shook his head. “You earned the partnership. You’re a brilliant lawyer, Ean. I’ve enjoyed working with you. Are you sure you want to resign? Maybe you just need some time.”
His family or his career, those were Ean’s choices. He already knew how it felt to lose a family member. “Craven, Bolden and Arnez is one of the best firms in the country. But my life needs to go in a different direction.”
“Are you sure this is what your father would have wanted for you?” The question was surprisingly gentle coming from such a gruff man.
Ean tightened his grip on his writing tablet. No, he wasn’t. Was that the reason everyone had kept him in the dark regarding his father’s terminal cancer? Because his father was afraid Ean would risk his career to help care for him?
“I don’t know.”
Another long, silent scrutiny from Hugh’s sharp eyes. “I understand. I’m sure this decision wasn’t easy for you. But everything will work out. You’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you.” Every muscle in Ean’s body relaxed with the other man’s words. “It’ll take me a few weeks to wrap up my open cases. I’ll get Wendy up to speed on my new matters.”
The second-year associate eyed his cases—and his office—with something close to lust. Would she be able to mask her pleasure at the announcement of Ean’s resignation?
“What will you do back in Trinity Falls, Ohio?”
Ean offered a weak smile. “I don’t know that, either.”
“Stay in touch.” Hugh extended his right hand. “If you need anything—a recommendation, your job back, anything at all—call me.”
Ean clasped the other man’s hand. His face eased into a smile. “I appreciate that.”
As he turned to leave, his black Bruno Magli shoes sank into the plush carpet. He had a lot to do, but his thoughts kept turning to his late father, widowed mother, childhood friends and the woman who’d broken his heart six years before.
“You’re full of energy.” Megan McCloud huffed a breath. She picked up her pace as she jogged with Doreen Fever through Trinity Falls’s Freedom Park Saturday morning. She’d thought they’d have an easy jog on the last day of August, enjoying the turning foliage and waning summer. Her friend must have had other ideas.
Doreen pulled back her pace. “Ean called last night.”
Megan’s heart hopped once at the name of her teenage crush. “How is he?”
“He’s quit his job. He’s coming home. Permanently.”
Megan tripped over nothing on the winding dirt path. She caught her balance and her breath. “When?”
“That was my reaction.” Doreen’s warm brown eyes twinkled with humor.