Page 77 of Mountain Freedom
“Just think about it,” Dad said.
“I will.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Allison
In the daysfollowing Russell’s funeral, life returned to normal. Jackson’s parents went home to Nashville, and we settled back into our routine of texting throughout the day and eating dinner together every night.
The ease of our friendship had returned, but sometimes I’d catch him looking at me and wonder if he was rethinking our pact. Things remained completely platonic, but his touches lingered longer than they had before—his hand on the small of my back when he’d open the door for me, the way our fingers would brush when I passed him something at dinner. Our goodnight hugs had grown a little longer each night, and when he’d wrap his arms around me, it felt like he never wanted to let go. He’d look into my eyes with so much feeling that he seemed to be saying what he was terrified to speak aloud.
Somehow he made me feel deeply loved without ever actually saying it. It felt like we were characters in a Jane Austen story, expressing our devotion through finger grazes and longinglooks. My inner romantic had awakened, and this unspoken courtship was making me fall head-over-heels in love with him.
And when Beverly bustled into my office Friday afternoon carrying a bouquet of roses, I thought my heart might burst.
“Looks like someone has a secret admirer,” she said, her eyebrows shooting to the roof as she placed them on my desk. “Or maybe not so secret…”
I picked the card up and smiled. Jackson had left his name off of it, signing it only “devotedly yours.” It was almost funny that someone who had such confidence at work could be so timid when it came to this.
“Do you know who they’re from?” Beverly pressed again, always looking for the newest tidbit of gossip.
“A friend,” I said simply. I wasn’t ready for her, or anyone else for that matter, to know about what was developing between me and Jackson—especially when we hadn’t even spoken it ourselves.
She looked annoyed. “I meant to tell you I got those meetings you requested scheduled this morning. They’re all added to your calendar. You have two drug reps coming next week to talk to you about options for your new program, and Dr. Johnson is scheduled to meet with you Monday.”
“Thank you, Beverly,” I said, barely hearing her. I was too busy burying my face in the roses, daydreaming about what it would be like when Jackson finally kissed me again.
She cleared her throat. “I also ordered the supplies you requested.”
“Great work,” I said, still barely paying her any attention.
“Do you need anything else?” The irritation in her voice made me look up.
“No, I’m good,” I replied, giving her a warm smile. “Thank you. Enjoy your weekend.”
“You too,” she said, a strange look on her face. She turned on her heels and walked out.
I sighed, realizing my romantic raptures had put a fresh fracture in my relationship with Beverly. It seemed to be two steps forward, one step back with her. Part of me still wished I had someone easier to manage working for me. Someone who didn’t take things so personally, who didn’t have to be handled with kid gloves.
On the other hand, my schedule had been almost completely full ever since I had taken care of Trudy. I knew that was largely due to Beverly’s influence. She clearly had the power to help me turn this clinic around, and if I wanted to stay here, that’s exactly what I had to do.
I’d have to find a way to bridge the gap again—without divulging anything about Jackson. That secret was still mine.
When 4:15 hit,I decided to try a morale-boosting tactic. I went up to the front and addressed Danny and Beverly both.
“Exceptional work, guys,” I said, even though I only meant it when it came to Beverly. Danny was still showing up late, screwing up basic vitals, and being generally lazy. We’d have to address it sooner rather than later, but not today. Today was for building the team. “We’re finished with patients, so I vote we close up early and have a team meeting at O’Malley’s. We need to discuss the new program, and I thought we could do it there instead of here. I promise to wrap up by five so you aren’t stuck working late, and you can have a drink on me. Deal?”
Beverly looked from me to Danny then back again. The expression on her face said she clearly disapproved of my plan. But Danny was beaming. So she reluctantly gave a little nod.
“Great! I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
When I arrivedat O’Malley’s, Danny was already in a booth with a pint in front of him, but Beverly was nowhere to be found. I slid in across from him and pulled out my meeting notes.
“I saw you got flowers today,” he said, giving me his weird little grin. “Did you like them?”
“I did,” I said, glancing at my watch. “Hey, where’s Beverly? It’s not like her to be late.”
He shrugged. “You know how she is. She’s got to make sure everything’s perfect before she leaves.”
