“Rachel.” A little winded from the climb, but still game, Nick shook off her hand. “Stop playing mother.”

“Fine.” She tossed up her hands, then lowered them again to fuss with Nick’s tie, brush the shoulders of his jacket. She caught Zack’s grin over Nick’s shoulder and scowled. “Shut up, Muldoon.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

“He thinks he’s so cute with the nautical talk.” She stood back to study her client. He was still a little pale, but he would do. “Now, are you sure you remember everything I explained to you?”

“Rachel, you went over the drill a dozen times.” Letting out a huff of breath, he turned to his brother. “Can I have a minute with her?”

“Sure.” Zack tossed a look over his shoulder. “Hands off.”

“Yeah, yeah.” The smirk was back, but it was good-natured rather than nasty. “Listen, Rachel, first I want to tell you how… Well, it was really nice of your family to come by the hospital the way they did. Your mom—” he pushed restless hands in his pockets, then pulled them out again “—bringing me cookies, and all the other stuff. Your father, coming by to hang out and play checkers.”

It should have sounded corny, he reflected. But it didn’t.

“They came to see you because they wanted to.”

“Yeah, but…well, it was nice. I even got a card from Freddie. And the cop—he was okay.”

“Alex has his moments.”

“What I’m trying to say is, whatever happens today, you’ve done a lot for me. Maybe I don’t know where I’m going, but I know where I’m not. I owe that to you.”

“No, you don’t.” Worried she might cry, she made her tone brisk. “A little, sure, but most of it was right here.” She tapped a finger on his heart. “You’re okay, LeBeck.”

“Thanks. One more thing.” He glanced over to be sure Zack was out of earshot. “I know I made things a little sticky before. Zack’s been making noises that you might be moving in. I just wanted you to know that I wouldn’t be in the way.”

“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do. Regardless, you wouldn’t be in the way. You’re family. Got it?”

His lips curved. “I’m getting it. If you decide to throw him over, I’m available.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” She gave his jacket one last tug. “Let’s go.”

There was no reason to be nervous, she told herself as she led Nick to the defense table. Her statement was well prepared, and she had a sympathetic judge on the bench.

She was terrified.

She rose with the rest of the court when Judge Beckett came in. Ignoring the twisting in her gut, she gave Nick a quick, confident smile.

“Well, well, Mr. LeBeck,” Beckett began, folding her hands. “How time flies. I hear through the grapevine that you ran into a bit of trouble recently. Are you quite recovered?”

“Your Honor…” Puzzled by the break in courtroom routine, Rachel rose.