you need to know is in those files. If you take the time to read through all my notes and make your own, you will be fine.”
“I don’t agree. Your work is shoddy.”
Julia took a deep breath. “My work is fine. Ask anyone.”
“That isn’t good enough, Julie. I’m going to call you back in an hour, and you’d better be ready to help me, or I’ll be taking my complaint to the senior partners.”
He was definitely panicking. It would be the first time he’d be presenting a case without her and everyone on her team knew he wasn’t up to it.
“I won’t be here in an hour.” She put a tea bag in her mug and made sure the coffee on the stove was still hot and plentiful for her father. “If you really are stuck, ask Miley to help you. She compiled the information, and she has a very good understanding of the case.”
“Miley hates me.”
That was true, but Julia wasn’t going to confirm it, and get the paralegal into any kind of trouble.
“She’s a professional, and she wants to advance in the firm. Give her a call.” Julia poured her father’s coffee into his favorite cup. “It was nice talking to you, Blaine. Good luck on Monday.”
After four days at the ranch, the office seemed very far away and Blaine’s hysterics ridiculous. Would she get some satisfaction at seeing him fail at the meeting on Monday? Sure she would, but she also knew he’d find a way to blame it on her, and the rest of the team, and that wasn’t okay.
She scrolled through, found Miley’s number, and called her.
Miley answered immediately. “Hey, boss. Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation? How’s your dad doing?”
It occurred to Julia that Blaine hadn’t asked about her father once, but she wasn’t surprised. He only cared about making himself look good.
“He’s doing okay, thanks. How are you?”
Miley’s sigh was long and loud. “Still dealing with that dickhead Purvis who is currently terrified because he has to present on Monday, and you’re not there to hold his hand, and make him look good.”
“So I gathered. He just called me.”
“What an asshole.” Miley snorted. “I told him to leave you alone. I even offered to go through the case with him, but he said he didn’t need advice from the hired help.”
Julia winced. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m doing my law degree the slow and cheap way, and that’s just how it’s going to be. At least I didn’t get Mommy to pay my way through college like Blaine did.”
“I’m worried that if he panics in the meeting he’s going to start throwing blame around like confetti. I don’t want you, Li Chang, or Smithy losing your jobs because of his incompetence.” Julia stirred sugar into her dad’s coffee.
“Damn, I was hoping he’d be the one leaving, but knowing how he operates, I’m fairly sure the door would be hitting my ass on the way out, and not his,” Miley said.
“I told him to call you so that you could go through the file with him again.” Julia braced herself for Miley’s reply. “I think that’s the only way the team is going to get through this intact.”
There was a long silence.
“Unfortunately, I think you’re right, even though I hate his guts,” Miley reluctantly said. “I’ll call him right now.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You’ve stood up for me many times, and it’s cool to be able to return the favor even if it helps that moron.”
“I totally agree. When I get back, we’ll think of a plan to get rid of him once and for all.” Julia poured the boiling water into her mug.
“You promise?”
“Pinky swear.”
“Cool. I’ll bring the shovel.”
Julia was still smiling as she took the coffee to her father. He had his new phone out, which was unusual, and was squinting at the screen.
“I had one of those texting things.”
Julia took the phone and blinked at the all caps as she read the message.
WOULD YOU AND JULIA LIKE TO COME UP TO THE RANCH FOR LUNCH? ADAM’S COOKING A WHOLE PIG. J.
“Is this from Jeff Miller?” Julia asked. “Would you like to go?”
“If you’re willing to drive, it would be nice. I haven’t seen Jeff for quite a while.”
“Then we’ll go.” It also meant she’d be out of the house where the cell reception was patchy if Blaine decided to call back in another panic. “Do you want to text Jeff back and say yes?”
Her father took the phone and frowned