Page 100 of Sloane

“And the WWP just happens to have a beach house for injured soldiers?”

“My buddy, Travis Sterling, is richer than sin and a big supporter of the WWP. It’s his beach house. He had it retrofitted a few years ago to make it disability-accessible, and now loans it out to them to house men and women who’ve suffered catastrophic injuries who are transitioning back to independent living.”

“He sounds like a saint.”

Jeff laughed. “He’s a big-time attorney so I’d hardly call him a saint. But he is a good dude and has been a huge supporter of WWP for a long time.”

“And why is the current PTA leaving?”

“She’s getting married in a few months. That’s why I thought this would be perfect for you. You’d just be going back to work after maternity leave when the position opens up.”

I chewed my bottom lip as I contemplated the offer.

“I have to admit, it sounds perfect. I’ve kind of been fretting about having strangers care for her when I go back to work. But I don’t know how I’d feel about leaving my current patients high and dry.”

“I’m sure you could work something out to go into the VA a few days a week for a couple of hours. I mean, you will be living with adults; they’re not helpless. And I think Sandy, the current PTA, has someone who comes in to relieve her for a couple of shifts a week so she can plan her wedding. The administrators of the program are really flexible.”

“I need to talk to Catherine first. I don’t want to burn that bridge because I’m sure I’ll want to return to the VA someday. But, if she’s agreeable, where would I put in an application?”

“Just say the word, and I’ll put you in touch with Travis with a glowing recommendation from me.”

“What made you think of me?”

“Dan. He has nothing but great things to say about you, and getting him to say anything nice can be a feat sometimes. That in and of itself is pretty high praise. Plus, I’ve known you a while now, your work speaks for itself.”

That made me feel good. Having my work appreciated fed my confidence and ego.

“Can I have a few days to think about it?”

“Of course.”

The extra time was simply so I could investigate things further and get Catherine’s blessing. If the position really was like Jeff described, I’d be an idiot not to jump at the opportunity. It would relieve a lot of my worries about being a single mom.

“Thank you for thinking of me.”

His flirty smile was back.

“My pleasure.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ashley

Tammy was already on her mat when I showed up for the yoga class we’d been taking together every Wednesday night for the last two years. Granted, the poses I was doing these days were greatly modified, but my doctor said it was still good for the baby, not to mention my swollen ankles. Although lately, any relief for that seemed like a lost cause.

“You are not going to believe the hocus-pocus witchcraft shit that happened to me,” I hissed as I unrolled my mat next to hers, still dumbstruck from my conversation with Jeff the day before.

“Tell me!” Tammy demanded as she folded forward so her forehead was touching her knees.

“Remember last week when I was stressing about only having a month’s worth of time to take off once Millie gets here?”

“Yeah…”

“And you told me to ask the Universe to fix it?”

A slow smile formed on her lips, like she knew where I was going with this.

“Yep.”

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