Page 99 of Sloane

“Get her some pie, too, Doc,” Dan said with a devilish grin. “She’s eating for two.”

Jeff winked at me when he answered Dan. “Good thing I’ve got that staff discount at the cafeteria.”

The tall, blond, single—and did I mention handsome?—doctor had always been a giant flirt, even when I didn’t wear makeup. I appreciated the fact I was currently as round as a beachball didn’t change that. It made him less intimidating somehow. Like, I knew he wasn’t flirting to try to sleep with me.

“Good thing,” I said with a bright smile, “because I can eat a lot these days.”

~~~~

After we’d talked about Dan’s progress and his new leg, Jeff asked, “So, what’s your plan after the baby comes?”

I scrunched up my nose.

“Well, I used a little bit of sick time at the beginning of my pregnancy, so I don’t have as much banked as I’d like. Between sick and vacation, I should be able to take a month off before I have to come back to work.”

“What are you thinking for childcare?”

“As much as it sickens me, I’m going to have to put her in the daycare here. My mom works full-time, so I don’t have any other alternative. But at least since she’s in the building, I can keep breastfeeding. Catherine has already said she’s fine with me taking breaks to do that.”

He nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “Would you consider a position with the Wounded Warrior Project where you wouldn’t have to leave her with anyone, while making a lot more money?”

My ears perked up at the parts about more money and not having to leave her, but I didn’t see how that was possible. I was instantly suspicious and didn’t jump at the offer.

“I don’t want to leave the VA. The benefits are good, plus I finally have some seniority.”

“You’d still be employed through the VA—that wouldn’t change. But WWP would reimburse the VA for your salary while you’re being loaned out to them.”

“I don’t understand, how would I make a lot more money then, and how would I be able to keep her with me without having to put her in daycare?”

“You’d live full-time with two or three military personnel injured in the line of duty, helping them transition to living independently with their injuries.”

I shook my head. “That sounds like a lot of work. And I really don’t want to have to worry about keeping the baby quiet because I have roommates.”

“It’s really not a lot of work. A housekeeper comes three times a week and cleans everything, including your quarters. And you’d live in what’s referred to as the mother-in-law’s wing, although technically it’s the second floor above the garage. It’s a separate living space with its own entrance, but it can still be accessed from the main house. You’d be on-call twenty-four/seven, but you’d also be paid accordingly. And the best part is you wouldn’t have to put your little girl in daycare. Oh, and the house is on the beach.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. This still sounded too good to be true. “So, what are the job duties?”

“Daily individual physical therapy sessions with each of the service members would be your primary role. Secondary would be everything else they still need assistance with to live independently, like grocery shopping, meal prep and cleanup, laundry, ensuring they’re making their appointments and helping them arrange transportation, reminding them to take their medication. Things like that. But the key is you’re helping them—not doing it for them.”

I laughed. “So, basically a mom who also does physical therapy.”

“Kind of.”

“How independent are they already? You’re not talking bathing and bathroom assistance, are you?”

“No, no bathroom assistance. You might have to help get them in and out of the shower, but once in, they can wash themselves.”

“And they’d be okay with me having the baby there?”

“Yep. The woman currently in the position has her two-year-old there.”

“How do you know about this?”

“I make house calls there a few times a week.”

“So, you can vouch for the legitimacy of the program?”

“Absolutely.”

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