Talia Of Animalistic 5 Attorney At Law

"h.e.l.lo," says Richy with his eyes half closed.

"Good morning, suns.h.i.+ne," Margie greets cheerfully. "Did I wake you?"

"Yes," answers Richy. "What's up?"

"Not much," says Margie with a smile, "Just Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Wilson have contacted the state police and retained an attorney."

"The little girl's mother and Sheila," says Richy in disbelief.

"Yes, suns.h.i.+ne," Margie confirms. "So you need to come in today. Your presence has been demanded. And if you know where Miss Devons.h.i.+re is, you should pick her up and bring her with you."

"No problem, Margie," a.s.sures Richy as he touches Talia's hair gently, "I've got it covered."

"I'm sure you do," responds Margie smiling. "Is she there with you?"

"Yeah," answers Richy smiling.

"That's good, suns.h.i.+ne," says Margie smiling knowingly. "See ya in a bit… Oh, and you both have time for breakfast, but not for hanky-panky, doll." Then Margie hangs up.

"I heard her," Talia running her hand into Richy's hair and kissing him. "I just need to make a quick call." She sits up and grabs her cell phone from the nightstand on her side of the bed and dials.

After two rings, "Good morning, Talia. How can your old Uncle Bob be of service today?"

"You're not old," Talia disagrees as she sit on the edge of the bed.

Uncle Bob laughs. "Maybe not through your eyes. What's going on?"

"How do you know I'm in need when I call," ask Talia.

"You're not one to call just to say h.e.l.lo and make insignificant small talk," answers Uncle Bob.

"Sorry," Talia apologizes feeling a bit guilty.

"No need for that," Uncle Bob unconcerned. "You're a woman with a purpose. You don't waste time dilly dallying or making unnecessary babble. It's something I love and respect about you. So what can I do for you?"

"Can you meet me at the Bayberry Falls Department of Peace and bring me one of my suits," asks Talia.

"A suit," repeats Uncle Bob. Now he's concerned. "With shoes too?"

"Yes, please," answers Talia.

"It sounds like this could be serious. Give me a quick over view," request Uncle Bob.

Talia sighs. "Two married domesticated females, one has accused me of kidnapping her child who was lost in the forest, whom I found and returned, and the second has accused me of a.s.saulting her."

"Well I know you didn't kidnap anyone's child," says Uncle Bob unconcerned about the first accusation. "But the second, did you get into some type of altercation with the woman and have to defend yourself?"

"No," Talia blows out a deep breath, "nothing like that. But I did mistake her for an intruder in a manner of speaking. I gave her quite a scare, but I didn't harm a hair on her head."

Uncle Bob is confident Talia would only harm someone in self-defense if she ever needed to defend herself. But he doesn't know how strong the instincts of a wild person can be and of course, he's never heard of a true-mating. "An intruder? Where are you?"

Talia is suddenly nervous. "I'm at the home of Sheriff Richard Griffin. I've been here since the last day we spoke."

"Interesting," comments Uncle Bob. He heard the nervous edge in her voice. "Where are you in his home at the moment?"

Talia takes a deep breath. "In his bedroom sitting on the edge of his bed."

Uncle Bob chuckles amused. "I'll meet you there."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, Uncle Bob," and she ends the call.

Richy questions, "Uncle Bob, you haven't mentioned him yet."

"I mentioned that I have domesticated relatives," reminds Talia.

"You also said you're not close to most of them," recalls Richy.

"Uncle Bob's not one of the ones I'm not close to." Talia explains, "He's my maternal grandfather's younger brother. He does most of the overseeing for me at Devons.h.i.+re World Law. I guess I sometimes see him as more of a business partner. The man is a total workaholic."

Richy smiles. "But he's not too much of a business partner and workaholic to drop everything to come aide his favorite niece, aye?"

"I'm his only niece. He has an ex-wife and two sons. But my cousins are a bit of a disappointment. Their sense of ent.i.tlement keeps them from being motivated properly," shares Talia.

"So what's their motivation," ask Richy even though he's sure he already knows the answer.

Talia sighs as she answers, "Women and booze."

Quick showers and a quick breakfast. Cougar isn't happy to be woken up so early and he's even unhappier to hear what his wife is up to. During their drive into town, a private air-shuttle pa.s.ses over them. Talia points it out as one of the six owned by Devons.h.i.+re World Law. Talia even has her pilot's license. When they arrive at the office of peace, Uncle Bob is waiting inside with a small team making polite conversation with Margie as he sips a cup of pero.

When Uncle Bob sees Talia, he set aside his cup of pero, stands and opens his arms wide. They are arms Talia has never hesitated walking into and she doesn't hesitate now. No problem for Richy, he can smell the man's a relation to Talia, smell his love for Talia, as well as his adoration and pride for her. He hugs her tightly and kisses her forehead, "My favorite niece."

Talia smiles. "I'm your only niece."

Uncle Bob proclaims, "And I'm sure if I had another, you would still be my favorite."

Richy can tell this is an old greeting for them. As a child, it had made Talia very happy to hear she was her great uncle's favorite niece. But her older cousin, Uncle Bob's oldest son, had to pop her bubble by informing Talia she was the only niece and the favorite because there were no others. Talia hadn't understood at the time that her mother was also Uncle Bob's niece and that he was her great uncle.

"Uncle Bob, I want you to meet Sheriff Richard Griffin." Talia's tone is soft causing both men to realize this was her first time to introduce someone to a member of her family that was a serious love interest. "Richy, this is my uncle, Robert Devons.h.i.+re."

Richy shakes the hand of the tall mature distinguishedly gray male as he says, "it's good to meet you, sir."

Uncle Bob likes Richy's firm hand shake, "Likewise, Sheriff."

"Just Richy's fine, sir."

"Johnson," calls Uncle Bob motioning over a woman from the team he brought with him more for looks than function.

A slender woman of average height with her light brown hair pulled back into a conservative bun steps forward and hands Talia a suit with a matching pair of sensible pumps.

Talia accepts the items, "Thank you, Sally."

Sally Johnson smiles brightly for Talia thrilled that she addressed her by her first name. She steals a quick hug from Talia. "You're welcome, Ms. Devons.h.i.+re." Her girl crush on Talia easily seen by all.

Cougar taps Talia on the shoulder as he ask, "What about me?"

Talia jerks her thumb back at Cougar. "That's Cougar. His wife is the a.s.sault complaint."

"Sorry about that," Cougar taking Uncle Bob's hand and pumping it up and down vigorously. "My wife's a little high strung like her mother, has a tendency to overreact sometimes."

"Were you there during the alleged a.s.sault," Uncle Bob ask Cougar.

"Yes, sir," confirms Cougar. "Tali didn't hurt her none, nothin' but Sheila's pride."

Uncle Bob smiles. "Good, thank you for coming, Cougar."

Margie orders, "Cougar, stop pestering Mr. Devons.h.i.+re," with the tone of a stern authoritative mother. "Come over here and sit down."

"Yes, ma'am," Cougar obeys sheepishly.

Deputy Al, who's been standing quietly off in a corner, thinks Cougar's chastis.e.m.e.nt is funny and chuckles.

"What are you laughing at," Margie ask Al.

"Nothin'," responds Al straightening up and looking serious.
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"Sit with Cougar and look busy," Margie orders Al.

"Yes, ma'am," Al obeying.

Talia turns to Richy, "Where may I change?"

Richy opens the doors to the back offices, "My office." His office is the only truly private office. The rest of the room consist of the two holding cells, three semi-private cubicles with desks of synthetic materials. Richy has an actual wood desk he bought at an estate auction.

As Talia steps into Richy's office, Uncle Bob asks Richy to join him. Richy shuts the doors behind him to the reception area of the peace office and there's n.o.body else back here except for Talia changing in Richy's office. So Uncle Bob basically has Richy alone.

"Yes, sir," says Richy as he steps up to Uncle Bob.

Uncle Bob puts a hand on Richy's shoulder and walks him over to a corner away from Richy's office door because he knows Talia has sharp hearing. He tells Richy in a hushed tone, "It's extremely rare for Talia to be nervous or embarra.s.sed. When she introduced you to me, she actually blushed. I've never seen her blush so prettily before… But her father and grandfather are both deceased, so I am the closest she has left to that now. And excuse me for being over protective, I know she's a grown woman, strong, independent and at times intimidating. But I also know she's sensitive with vulnerabilities. So please, don't take advantage of her."

"Do you think I want her money," ask Richy with his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not interested in her money. I have money. I may not be a tyc.o.o.n but…"

"I know you're father made several wise investments." Uncle Bob's tone is calm and controlled. "I did my research on you. I know you don't need this job, that you could live off the interest from your father's investments alone. I know you're not a greedy man that you believe in serving the community and being part of the solution. But I also know you've never had a serious long term relations.h.i.+p. I simply don't want my niece to get her heart broken."

Richy settles down and thinks. Talia's distinguished regal looking uncle has a valid point. He's never dated any woman longer than three months. And some of them he only mated with because they wouldn't go away. They were throwing themselves at him and he's a man who likes s.e.x. But he got tired of crying sobbing women professing a love he knew wasn't there, angry boyfriends and brothers threatening him. The last woman he'd made the mistake of climbing into bed with was Sheila, who's now Cougar's wife. With Sheila, Richy had learned how to use his job as a form of protection. He only mated with Sheila once, but she pursued him for six months afterward and the last straw had been to come home and find her in his home uninvited. It was the closest Richy has ever come to getting violent with a woman.

So how was he going to explain to Talia's uncle that she wasn't just a fling for him? That even though he'd only just barely known Talia a week and they'd only been together the last couple of days of that, he couldn't stand the thought of life without her nor the thought of another man touching her intimately? His eyes well up with tears because he doesn't know how to explain.

"Excuse me," says Richy stepping away from Uncle Bob. He strides over to his office door and yanks it open.

Talia is changed into the suit and was reacquainting herself with walking in the heels. She stops in her tracks as the scent of Richy's upset fills her nose. "Richy what's wrong?"

Richy doesn't answer her. Instead, he pulls her against him, greeting her by inhaling her scent along her neck and tasting her neck. Then he scent marks her vigorously with his jaw along her neck, cheeks and even her wrists before kissing the backs of her hands. And then to rea.s.sure and calm himself further, he captures her mouth with his own, holding her tightly against him.

A tear glides from one of Talia's eyes. "Richy, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"

Richy simply shakes his head because the words he needs at the moment are eluding him.

Uncle Bob steps forward into the doorway. "You have the gift," he says to Richy. "I thought you were tame. Apparently I didn't dig quite deep enough to discover that you're wild."

"I prefer the term free," states Richy.

Talia tells Richy, "Baby, put on your sungla.s.ses. You're so upset, your eyes have gone black." She pulls his sungla.s.ses from his breast pocket and helps him slip them on as she informs her uncle, "Richy feels the term wild promotes the idea that we're less than human."

"Well I certainly don't believe that," says Uncle Bob seeing the point clearly. "Free…" repeats Uncle Bob. "Free… I like that. The Free People of the Animalistic Tribe." Uncle Bob smiles and nods.

Sally Johnson pokes her head through the double doors between the anterior office/waiting/reception room and the posterior offices, "Our guests have arrived." Then her head disappears.

Uncle Bob and Richy pa.s.s through the double doors together, shoulder to shoulder, with Talia right behind them. As the two men part, Talia comes up from behind them and pa.s.ses between them as Uncle Bob joins the team he brought with him and Richy joins Margie, Deputy Al and two other tough looking officers that arrived while Talia was changing.

There are two Mountain State Troopers and two attorneys from a small firm that Talia recognizes. The two attorneys recognize Talia and her uncle and their posture goes from confident to defeated. One mutters, "s.h.i.+t," under his breath. The two blond women haven't noticed the change in their attorneys. They're too busy staring at Talia.

"That's her," Cougar's wife, Sheila, shouts to the troopers as she points at Talia. "That crazy b.i.t.c.h attacked me."

Cougar stands and tells his wife, "Sheila, that's a lie. She didn't attack you."

"Wendel," Sheila shouts outraged at Cougar, "you're my husband! How could you?"

"Nothin' in our vows said I have to lie for you," replies Cougar crossing his strong arms.

Talia gives Cougar a curious look and questions wide eyed, "Wendel?"

"The name on my birth certificate," explains Cougar, "my domesticated name: Wendel Wyatt Wilson."

Talia finds that hilarious, but she doesn't laugh. Laughing right now would be inappropriate. But there's still a m.u.f.fled chuckle from Margie that she turns into clearing her throat behind her fist.

"Mr. Kershaw and Mr. Brown," Talia pleasantly addressing the two attorney from the small firm in Megalopolis where the headquarters of her own law firm is located, "it would be wise to advise your client to remain calm because slander can be costly."

Sheila starts to open her mouth and Kershaw actually claps a hand over her mouth and shakes his head slowly. He tells Sheila, "Please, don't do it Mrs. Wilson. You can't afford it."

Sheila kicks Kershaw in his s.h.i.+n and yells at him, "You son of a b.i.t.c.h!"

Brown comes forward and takes Talia's hand, "Ms. Devons.h.i.+re, my sincerest apologies, there's obviously been a mistake."

One of the troopers steps forward and introduces himself, "I'm Trooper White, we received a report that there was a kidnapping and a.s.sault committed by the same female and that the local sheriff had refused to take appropriate action."

Richy steps over to the troopers. "I'm Sheriff Richard Griffin and I'm afraid you've received two false reports. There was never a kidnapping, just a little girl lost in Animalistic Tribe Territory, who was found and returned to her parents the same day. There was also no a.s.sault, but someone did go out to my home uninvited and unannounced."

Trooper White consults a hand held electronic report. "Mrs. Spencer," he looks at the two blond women. "Mrs. Spencer please step forward."

Mrs. Spencer, the little girl's mother, takes a step forward.

Trooper White looks back at the electronic report for a moment. "Ma'am, you reported that your daughter, Jody, had been kidnapped, that Sheriff Griffin knew who the kidnapper was, but had failed to arrest the woman you believe kidnapped your daughter. Is that woman present today?"

Mrs. Spencer nervously points at Talia as she answers, "Yes, that's her."

Talia produces a business card for Trooper White as she introduces herself, "Talia Devons.h.i.+re, Attorney at Law, Devons.h.i.+re World Law."

Trooper White sighs because he doesn't believe for a moment Talia Devons.h.i.+re, Attorney at Law, kidnapped anyone's child. "Mrs. Spencer, do you honestly believe one of the richest, most powerful women in the world kidnapped your daughter?"

"Well," Mrs. Spencer not so sure of herself now, "when she came out of the forest carrying Jody she was all barefooted and…"

Talia interrupts Mrs. Spencer, "Upon returning Jody to Mrs. Spencer she accused me of kidnapping the child. She said and I quote, 'Filthy wild animals, everyone knows you people are baby s.n.a.t.c.hers,' and concluded with, 'wild baby s.n.a.t.c.hing animals.'"

"That was gracious of you," Trooper White tells Mrs. Spencer sarcastically.

"More like mean, hateful and bigoted," mutters Margie.

Uncle Bob steps forward and hands his card to Trooper White, "Robert Devons.h.i.+re, Attorney at Law, Devons.h.i.+re World Law. Would Mrs. Spencer please verify where she and her family were camping?"

Trooper White looks at Mrs. Spencer, "Ma'am, the location of your camp site?"

Mrs. Spencer shrugs as she answers, "Wild land along Highway 89."

"Like I said," reminds Richy, "Animalistic Tribe Territory."

Trooper White relaxes when he sees what it says about incidents in wild territory on the electronic report and says, "Well, that's that."

"What," ask Mrs. Spencer.

Kershaw answers her question, "Wild citizens are self-governing. Troopers and Bayberry Falls Peace Department don't have any jurisdiction. If you want to pursue this matter, you'll have to go to the chief of which ever tribe's territory you were in."

"But," Mrs. Spencer starts.

"It's finished, Mrs. Spencer," states Kershaw firmly.

Richy smiles, "Well, let me save you some time and trouble concerning Mrs. Wilson's complaint. My home where she claims an a.s.sault took place is in Water Tribe Territory."

"No," Sheila protest with a stomp of her foot.

"Mrs. Wilson," Trooper White says clearly irritated with her, "do we need to discuss the consequences of making false police reports: fines, jail time."

"Jail time," says Mrs. Spencer scared. "I can't go to jail. I wasn't trying to file a false report. But when I met Sheila yesterday and discovered we both had a problem with the same wild woman, she convinced me that Sheriff Griffin was protecting her." She points at Talia.

"Mrs. Spencer," Trooper White ready to leave and attend to a real crime, "Did your daughter say Ms. Devons.h.i.+re took her or lured her away?"

"No," answers Mrs. Spencer.

"And I notice your husband's not here with you," notes Trooper White. "Does he think Ms. Devons.h.i.+re took your daughter?"

Mrs. Spencer answers flatly, "No."

"So do you always have trouble accepting the truth," asks Trooper White irritated. "Ms. Devons.h.i.+re didn't take your kid. She could easily go anywhere in the world and adopt ten."

"But I thought wilds…" Mrs. Spencer doesn't get to finish.

"Ma'am," says Trooper White with an unhappy smile, "let it go. You obviously don't know a d.a.m.n thing about wild folk. But if you don't let it go, not only will I charge you with making a False Report, but also with a Hate Crime against a Wild Citizen."

Brown tells Mrs. Spencer, "I advise you not say another word and let it go."

Mrs. Spencer nods her agreement, takes a few steps back and sits down.

"Sheriff," Trooper White putting out a hand, "sorry to waste your time."

Richy shakes his hand, "Sorry yours was wasted as well."

Trooper White then shakes Talia's hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Devons.h.i.+re."

Talia responds graciously, "Thank you, Trooper White."

The second trooper steps up to Talia and ask, "May I have your card, Ms. Devons.h.i.+re?"

Talia smiles easily as she answers, "yes, of course," and produces a business card for the trooper.

"Thank you, ma'am," he says with a warm smile and follows Trooper White out.

Brown apologizes to Talia, "Ms. Devons.h.i.+re, we are so sorry for this misunderstanding. Neither woman informed us of their locations nor whom they were accusing."

Talia responds pleasantly, "This is just one of those lessons life teaches us, get all the facts before accepting a client and pursuing a lawsuit."

Kershaw asks Talia concerned, "I hope this doesn't change the relations.h.i.+p between our firms?"

"No, of course not," answers Talia smiling brightly. "It was an honest mistake. Average Joe Law Firm is in good standing with Devons.h.i.+re World Law."

Relief washes over both Kershaw and Brown. Kershaw smiles as he tells Talia, "Next time you come into Megalopolis, you have got to do lunch with us, our treat of course."

"Fine," Talia agrees with a smile, "I'll give you a call."

"So," Sheila crossing her arms under her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s, "there's nothing you can do," she asks Brown and Kershaw.

"Nope," answers Brown guiltlessly headed for the door followed by Kershaw. He motions for Mrs. Spencer to follow them, "We'll drop you back at your inn, Mrs. Spencer."

"What about my retainer fee," asks Sheila.

Kershaw has one word for Sheila before he steps outside and he smiles as he answers her, "Nonrefundable." Then he shuts the door behind him.

Sheila makes an angry noise at the ceiling.

"Now that wasn't lady like," says Margie retaking her seat behind her desk.

Sheila looks at Talia and sneers, "I hate you."

"Sheila," says Cougar as he steps in front of his wife, "What's wrong with you? She's done you no harm."

"You're f.u.c.king her," Sheila accuses shouting at Cougar. "I know you're f.u.c.king her! You must think I'm stupid!"

"Where in the h.e.l.l did that come from," asks Cougar shocked.

"I'm not blind," Sheila motions toward Talia. "I see the way you look at her, her and her perfect t.i.ts and a.s.s. And you couldn't wait to get rid of me the other day so you could go back to spending the day f.u.c.king her until Richy got home."

Sheila whirls around and faces Richy and asks, "So how do you like your wh.o.r.e, Richy? Do you really think she's walking around your house half naked and Wendel's not banging her? Or maybe you just don't mind sharing her?"

"Sheila that's enough," states Cougar.

"Why are you protecting her," Sheila asks Cougar. Then she looks back at Richy and tells him, "I would never cheat on you. What does a woman have to do to get your attention? I start dating your best friend to make you jealous, but nothing. Why your best friend is wild, I just don't get it. Wild animals can't be trusted. Can't you see what I've done just to stay near you? I even married him. I thought if I let myself get pregnant, you'ld finally see what you could have with me."

Sheila reaches out to touch Richy and he steps away from her out of her reach and closer to Talia. Sheila looks confused as she tells Richy, "You made love to me."

Richy shakes his head as he tells her, "You kept throwing yourself at me, so I finally had s.e.x with you hoping that's all you wanted and that you would finally go away and leave me alone. It was the biggest mistake I ever made."

Sheila puts her hands on her hips as she tells Richy, "You'll get tired of that wild b.i.t.c.h and I'll be here waiting for you. You can't build a life with a wild animal."

Richy shakes his head as he informs Sheila, "I'm wild like Talia and like your husband, Cougar. Your husband that loves you. I've never been interested in you. I've never kissed you or even held your hand. Even that one time I had s.e.x with you, I barely touched you and I left immediately without a word. That man right there," Richy points to Cougar. "He makes love to you. I never have and never will."

"So what the h.e.l.l am I to you," Cougar asks Sheila feeling used and confused. "What exactly do you feel for me? You're carrying our baby, but you wish he was the father. What the h.e.l.l am I? Practice? You're accusing me of protecting her, when I was trying to protect you. I guess I should have been looking out for myself, right?"

Sheila heads back to Cougar and coos to him, "I'm so sorry, honey. You know I love you."

"Don't touch me," says Cougar blocking Sheila hands from touching him and stepping away from her, "just leave."

Sheila goes to the doors. She pauses and tells Cougar calmly, "Mother leaves for home in the morning. I'll see you at home tomorrow, husband." Then she leaves.

"What a piece of work," states Deputy Al glad the show is over.

"That woman's not playing with a full deck," comments Margie.

"Her scent was confusing," shares Talia still trying to discern the changes in scents she got from Sheila. "It's hard to tell if she was lying or telling the truth."

Margie adds, "That woman don't exist in the same reality as the rest of us."

"Mr. Wilson," says Uncle Bob sympathetically as he hands Cougar one of his business cards, "we'll handle your divorce for you and have full custody of your child granted to you before it's even born."

Cougar stares at the business card without accepting it as he says sadly, "I can't afford you."

Uncle Bob smiles at Cougar, "You don't need to be able to afford me. You're a good, honest man and a good friend to Talia, and that's more than enough."

Cougar looks at Talia and she nods yes. Cougar takes Uncle Bob's business card and asks, "Can you really accomplish everything you said by the time my child's born? Free folks aren't usually successful in domesticated courts of law."

Uncle Bob points at Sally Johnson and informs Cougar, "In Johnson's broach is a digital camera. We have more than enough evidence to prove your wife is unstable, manipulative and biased against free people. I know she's your wife. I know you love her. But you need to do what's best for your child. She's not fit to be a mother to any child let alone a child with free blood." Uncle Bob leaves out that he'll also pet.i.tion for Mrs. Wilson to be sterilized after giving birth.

"What do I do first," asks Cougar.

Uncle Bob smiles, "Move out of the dwelling you share with your wife immediately."

"OK," Cougar agrees with a nod.

Uncle Bob continues, "You'll need to find your own place as soon as possible. And what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a fire-fighter," answers Cougar. "I live three and a half days a week at Bayberry Falls Fire Department."

Uncle Bob informs Cougar, "Well that won't be a problem if they have adequate child care available. But if they don't, you'll either need to find adequate childcare or maybe even a new line of work."

Cougar nods his understanding to Uncle Bob. Then he turns to Richy, "I need to get my things out of the house."

Richy nods, "I'll escort you. Al and Carl, you'll come too."

Richy turns to Talia, who smiles and tells him, "I'll be fine. Go help Cougar." Then she gives Richy a deep kiss. "I'll see you later." Then she watches Cougar, Al, Carl and Richy leave. She turns to her uncle, "Do you have time for lunch before you rush back to Megalopolis?"

"Yes, of course," answers Uncle Bob with a smile. He'ld make all eight presidents wait on him while he spends time with his niece. He's her great uncle. Her mother had been his niece first, but he had been young and absorbed with proving he was just as good as his much older brother. The only thing the older Devons.h.i.+re brother had ever done wrong in the eyes of their parents and their society was marry the woman he loved who was wild and untamed and not of their social standing in society in any way shape or form.

"And would it be too much trouble to drop me at the estate on your way back to Megalopolis," Talia ask her uncle.

"It's on the way," answers Uncle Bob not seeing it as any type of inconvenience.

"Good," says Talia slipping off her shoes, "as long as it's no trouble. I've been enough of a nuisance for one day."

"Nonsense," says Uncle Bob, "it's no trouble and neither are you."

Talia smiles, "Fine. Now everybody follow me," she tells her uncle and his team. "Richy took me to the nicest café, nice people and good food." She grabs the door handle.

"What do I tell Richy when he gets back," Margie asks Talia knowing Richy will want to know where she went when he gets back.

"I have work in the morning," Talia informs Margie. "But I'll be at the estate until morning."

Talia has an extremely enjoyable lunch with her uncle and the team. They had never seen her so lively before, making enthusiastic small talk with the waitpersons and other patrons in the café. Bob liked it better than any fancy restaurant he'ld ever been to before in his life. And he'd never seen his niece smile so brightly, freely and happily before. Talia had handled several cases after obtaining her law degree, pa.s.sing the bar exam, and joining the family firm. She won them all. But when clients learned Talia was… free, they would get nervous and Talia didn't like going to court. Working in accounting was her own idea.

To Richy's relief, Sheila and her mother weren't there when he took Cougar to pick up his things. Cougar expressed concern over possibly losing the house his mother had left to him. But Richy told him not to worry about it right now, just get the things he needed from the house and get his personal vehicle that had been left behind because he was inebriated. Then he sent Cougar back out to his house.

But just before Cougar climbs into his vehicle he tells Richy, "I thought she loved me."

Richy tries to be comforting as he tells Cougar, "In her own way, she does. It's just not the way you want or need."

"She made me believe I was important to her," says Cougar wondering how he didn't smells the lies.

"You are important to her," Richy tells Cougar, "just not the way you should be or want to be important to her. Her reasons are all wrong and her priorities are all screwed up. That's not your fault."

These things are on Richy's mind as he pulls into the driveway of Talia's estate. The main house is a good sized mansion, but completely dark inside. But he spots lights on in one of the guest houses as he parks his vehicle in front of the multicar garage. He grabs the overnight bag he keeps in the trunk in case he gets stuck at the office overnight which can happen during the winter.

Richy wonders what it was like growing up in such a huge house. He's staring at it as he walks in the direction of the guest house with the lights on.

"That's the big house," says Talia from the doorway of the guesthouse. She repeats, "Big house… sounds like I'm talking about a prison. Then sometimes it felt like a prison when I was a child."

Richy looks aver at Talia leaning against the door jam. A light from inside the small house allows him to see she's wearing a little two piece sleep set consisting of little powder pink short with a matching spaghetti strap top. He was going to say something to her about the big house looking intimidating or overwhelming, but that all slipped his mind when he laid eyes on her.

Richy walks over to Talia with the determination of a man who's gone days without water and has just discovered a water source. He tosses his overnight bag past Talia into the house as he grabs her and captures her mouth with his own. He lifts her off her feet and her legs wrap around his waist. As he steps into the house carrying Talia while trying to devour her from the mouth down, he toes off his shoes. An hour later, they're both laying in a sweaty heap on a deer skin rug on the floor in the living room. Richy is finally taking a look around as a cool breeze comes through the front door they neglected to close behind them.

Talia smiles as she tells Richy, "You missed me."

Richy smiles too as he admits, "Yes, I did. I got on Margie's nerves real bad too. She's gonna tell you off next time she sees you. She said you have work tomorrow."

Talia explains to Richy, "Every new moon I go into our offices in Megalopolis. I go over the books, consult on cases, sometimes Uncle Bob needs me to meet a potential employee and occasionally someone may need to be let go. I stay for two, sometimes three days. I actually catch up on quite a bit while I'm here."

"Here," questions Richy.

"The smaller of the two bedrooms I use as an office," Talia explains. "Going into the offices five plus days a week was too stressful. So, I did most of my work from here for a while, only driving into Megalopolis once or twice a week. And I managed like that for a few years. But it still left me very little time to run free. When that idiot put me on the spot during a dinner party and proposed, I realized I couldn't do it anymore. I was miserable and I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled for real."

"Why don't you use the big house," ask Richy.

"Too much house for one person," answers Talia. "Even when my grandparents were still alive the whole thing never got used. I have a couple of maintenance people that come out once a week to give the house the once over and keep up the yard."

Richy sits up and looks around. "It's cozy here." He figures the whole place is about the size of a medium sized two bedroom apartment. She's like him, fond of natural materials: wood, fur, cotton, hemp, wool. The overstuffed furniture is draped in hand made blankets and furs. The kitchen has a small prep island with an eating counter and two hand fas.h.i.+oned stools. There's a small dining area with a round oak pedestal table and four matching chairs. If she purchased the dining set, it was expensive. Most furniture stores only carry items made of synthetic materials: stainless steel, plastic, Formica, plasti-leather, rayon, etc. Talia has s.h.i.+ed away from the synthetic. Even the centerpiece on the table was hand carved with hand dipped candles.

Talia sits up rolling onto one hip and ask Richy, "Why did you mate with Sheila? I smelled your strong dislike for her. Were you once attracted to her?"

"Never," answers Richy. "I was never attracted to her. An a.s.sociate of mine from college, his wife thought we'ld make a cute couple and set us up on a blind date. I disliked her instantly. She was too skinny and boney, had done something to try to make her hair look thicker than it is and the gel or whatever she used in it stunk, and she was wearing way too much makeup."

He rest a hand on Talia's hip as he continues. "But out of respect for my a.s.sociate and his wife, I was nice and polite. I didn't want to be mean to her or anything, so I just sat back and let her run her mouth, occasionally answered a question. I made up an excuse to end the date early and I thought I would never see her again. She's self-employed, some sort of on-line business her father started and she took over. So she sets her own hours… Next thing I knew, she's got a room at the inn and she's showing up at my office, bringing me lunch, inviting me to lunch, showing up at the café while I'm having lunch. That's how Cougar met her. We were having lunch at the café when she showed up. When she went to the restroom, Cougar said, 'Ouch, is she hot for you and you can't stand her. But she ain't going nowhere till you bang her. You should just do it and get it over with.' So I figure next time she invites me to her room, I go. And I did after she said she had something important to show me… She climbed on the bed and showed me she wasn't wearing any underwear. I could have puked. Still I climbed on the bed and she reached for me. But I couldn't stand the thought of her touching me, so I had her hold her legs apart for me and told her not to let go of them. I didn't take any clothes off of her or me. I just undid my pants. Then I had to use my hand to get hard enough to put the condom on. I never kissed her, stayed above her trying not to touch her until she came. That only took like ten minutes, but it felt like an eternity in h.e.l.l. I never came. I could barely keep my c.o.c.k hard. Then without a word, I climbed off her, threw the condom away and walked out hoping I never saw her again… Except for six months after that she pursued me. And when I came home and she was in my house uninvited walking around in nothing but a pair of stiletto heels, I finally told her off. It was the closest I've ever come to striking a woman. Needless to say, I don't speak to that a.s.sociate and his wife anymore."

Deep thoughts shape Talia's face, "Most free men don't use condoms."

Richy shrugs. "My dad was a domesticated man who firmly believed in condom use. He drilled it into our heads, said it was irresponsible of a man to make a bunch of babies with several different women. He always made sure I had plenty of condoms. So, I've always used them, even my first time."

Talia's head tilts curiously as she ask Richy, "Why haven't you used condoms with me?"

Richy's tried not to a.n.a.lyze this, but he tries to explain, "The first time with you, I thought in the heat of the moment I just forgot. But when I came to you the next morning, I just couldn't stand the thought of any type of barrier between us. I don't want anything in the way. It would just be wrong with you. Plus, I like filling you with me seed. I like knowing my seed is the only seed that's ever been inside you."

Talia asks, "What if I hadn't been a virgin?"

Richy has to admit, "I wouldn't care. It wouldn't change how I feel about you. Even if you had already had a mate and kids, I couldn't have stopped myself from pursuing you. If you hadn't come to my office like I asked, I had already decided that I was going to come find you."

Talia stands and puts her hand out for Richy to take, "Let's try to get some sleep."

Richy takes her hand and stands. He asks her, "Will you miss me while you're in the city working?"

Talia tilts her head as she looks up into Richy's eyes and her eyes well up with tears as she admits, "Yes, it's only a two hour drive, and I'll only be gone a couple of days. But the thought still makes my chest tight. And it doesn't make sense to me because we've just barely known each other a whole week. I don't understand and that scares me."

Richy enfolds Talia in his strong arms and holds her securely. He doesn't understand either and it doesn't make sense to him either. But he's been too busy being obsessed with her to be scared. But he clearly doesn't like thinking about going without Talia for a couple of days. It bothered him to leave her at his house with n.o.body else there but his best friend, Cougar, to worry about. In Megalopolis, Talia will be surrounded by strange males. That doesn't sit well with Richy at all.

Richy suggest to her, "Maybe I can drive out and have lunch with you the day after tomorrow."

Talia's eyes twinkle merrily as she smiles. "I would like that very much," she tells him as she leads him into the bedroom. Then just as they reach the bed Talia realizes there's something else she's forgotten and turns to Richy, "Roar… I always visit my brother, Roar, and my two nephews when I get back from Megalopolis. They'll be expecting me. I usually only spend a day or two with them because the rest of our tribe can't stand me. But I'll only spend a day with them and then I'll make my way back to you at your house, OK?"

What can Richy say? He can't tell her no. He wants her back with him as soon as possible, but she has family she loves and they love her. She'll be unhappy if she doesn't get to see them regularly. And no matter what her tribe may think of her, they need her. Margie told him after he got back from helping Cougar how her uncle had bragged at how cleverly Talia had worked the system to reclaim lost tribal land in this area for all the tribes. That deal included the area where his house is. No one was kicked out of their homes or even asked to leave. They were free to stay if that's what they wanted. Of course the major bonus for home owners was that the houses that were located on reclaimed tribe land like the houses on My Street were no longer required to pay property taxes. Notices were sent to all the affected home owners of the change. They were free to relocate their houses if they chose to, but none of the tribes minded if they remained. Just please don't shoot what may look like a wild animal pa.s.sing through. Besides, most of the home owners were like Richy, people with ties to one tribe or another.

Richy knows he's found something special with Talia, a woman who did what no man or woman had ever done before in history: reclaimed stolen land for their people. So he says the only thing he can say regarding her visiting her family when she gets back from Megalopolis, "OK, that's fine. Call me if you want a ride." He knows she won't call for a ride. After being stuck in the city for a couple of days, she'll need to run free.