If I thought she’d blushed before talking aboutcrowning, she flushes from the line of her pretty blonde hair down to the collar of her light blue button-up. “Dr. Declan Ryan, yes. I work in his office at the front desk. He’s—” She swallows hard and tucks some hair behind her ears. “He’s a good boss.”
“Oh. He’s your boss?” I don’t know if she can sense the unspoken question there.Is hejustyour boss?
She claps her hands together and stands. “Yep. A good boss. And completely oblivious to me as anything but his faithful office lady.” She tips her head to one side as though to say, “what can I do about it?”
“Ah. Dang.” Assuming it’s the same Declan I met at the Corner Coffee Shop a few days ago, I can see the attraction. Add the whole doctor thing in, and yeah. I’d cast him inGrey’s Anatomybefore I even knew he was a doctor, so he’s nailing all that. If he’s halfway decent, it’s a deadly combo.
She shrugs. “Nah. I’m grateful for everything I have, and I can’t complain a bit. I love it here. And I’m so glad you’re here. So how about we find you a job?”
I chuckle, rolling with her change of subject, heart beaming with gratitude for this woman who already feels like a new friend.
This is what I need. A source of connection, and someone who gets it. She understands the desire to start again, and she hasn’t pressured me to explain everything.
As much as I don’t know what’s ahead and I can’t shrug off the vigilance and dread I’ve loaded into my baggage, I can’t help but acknowledge this meal feels like an opportunity to set them aside, at least for a little while.
CHAPTER NINE
Sam
Evie guides me along the edge of the park giving me the rundown on as many of the buildings and small businesses as I can retain while I admire the streets and how everything centers on the park.
I’ve wandered along the perimeter and taken in some details, but I haven’t walked through. She mentions how they have festivals in the town center and there’s a moderately sized amphitheater where they hold a concert series in the summer. It’s so quaint and adorable, and I can’t wait until “Spring Fling,” as she calls it, which happens in early May.
When we reach the market, she confirms it’s reliable and often reasonably priced, except for brand-name junk food or baby items like diapers. The Indian restaurant, Naan Time, is amazing and according to Evie, habit-forming. “Make sure you get a punch card, because they mean business with the tenth meal being free.”
I love the idea of having a discount card, and even more, I love the idea of living here long enough to fill up a card and get a meal free. I’ve had so few goals other thanstart freshandleave the past behindthat this feels so frivolous and fun, and I adopt it as one of my personal aspirations immediately.
I can see getting to know the store owners by name. Maybe Evie and I could have a standing lunch date every few weeks, and…
Yeah. That happened quickly. All that hope I’m supposedly not giving into is sprouting up just like the grass and buds on the trees.
There’s a law firm in a gorgeous stone building one block down housing the lawyer who apparently helped Evie deal with her ex, and a real estate place she’s heard good things about. There’s a preschool where her baby is, several more small businesses including a Mexican restaurant and a pizza place, and then we arrive at the small medical practice where she works.
“This is me. But listen, I know someone who can hook you up with a cleaning gig if you want it.”
My heart sinks.
Her eyes widen when she takes in my expression.
“Okay, so that’s a solid no.”
“No, not a no, just… not a yes?”
Her smile is full of compassion. “No need to justify it to me. I lived that life. It gave me Jack, and by extension, Juniper View, because of the way things happened. I’ll forever be grateful for that. But I wanted a fresh start all the way around here, and I get it if that’s what you need, too.”
“What I’m hoping for.” Sometimes, I worry admittingthose hopes will curse me. Wanting something too much has come to haunt me before, so why would I believe it won’t again?
You got out.
It’s a good reminder from my subconscious. I did get out, and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more. So I’m not always doomed to lose what I most want.
I don’t know what job or path is right for me, but I don’t want to go back to the same job. It was honest, hard work, but I can’t separate out my years as a maid from beingthe maidAndrew deigned to marry and attempted to control. A Cinderella story, as he called it, but it ended up being a nightmare for me.
“We’ll find you something else then. If none of the jobs you already applied for bite in the next few days, we’ll find you something even better.”
Her words hold so much confidence, I can’t help but believe them. We hug and she turns to go right as Dr. McHottie arrives and unlocks the door.
“Hello.” He gives me a polite nod, then his stunning eyes shift to Evie. “Coming in?”
