Page 45 of Dreaming at Seaside
Bella sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, and instead of sitting behind the desk, Perry sat in the chair beside Bella. She let out a breath before turning a warm smile to Bella.
“Welcome to our busy little clinic,” Perry said.
“It’s run very efficiently. Thank you for taking the time to see me. I’ll make this quick so you can get back to work. I’ve been hired by the school board to put together a work-study program for high school seniors.”
Perry smacked her thigh, and her eyes widened with excitement. “Great idea.”
“Yes, that’s what we thought, too. The goal of the program is to provide hands-on training for kids who are looking to better themselves, to encourage self-confidence and independence and help them learn skills they can use toward a productive future.”
Perry waved her hand to silence Bella. “Responsibility, self-worth, it’s all wrapped up in helping others. Like I said, great idea. What do you need from me?”
Bella swallowed the urge to say,Really?“I’d like you to consider making the clinic part of the program and committing to hiring two seniors through the work-study program. They’re limited to no more than fifteen hours each week and paid minimum wage.”
“We drug test.”
“Fine. We don’t want kids using drugs any more than you do.” Hope swelled in Bella’s chest.
“They’d have no access to medications, obviously, and until we can gauge their abilities and trustworthiness, they would be confined to working in the admin area.” Perry leaned forward with excitement in her voice. “But if we find a stellar student who shows promise, I’m not opposed to keeping them on after graduation to learn the ropes of becoming a certified medical assistant or a lab tech.”
“Thank you. That’s all we can hope for.” Bella’s feet lifted up onto their toes in a silent happy moment. “We’re finalizing the documents, and I’ll be happy to—”
Perry’s office door opened and Bones poked his head in. “Perry, Doc Winston is on line four. He said it’s urgent.”
“Oh good. Tell him I need one minute. Oh, Bones, this is Bella Abbascia. She’s coordinating a work-study program for the high school.”
He thrust a hand toward Bella. “Barry Goodman, but everyone calls me Bones. Nice to meet you.”
“Bella, would you mind wrapping up the details with Bones? I need to take this call.”
“Not at all.” Bella rose to her feet.
“I wish there was a work-study program when I was in high school. Having something to do with my time might have saved me from a pregnancy at eighteen. Not that I begrudge my daughter. She’samazing.” Perry’s voice filled with pride. “Thankfully, she graduated last yearwithouta baby in her belly. Let’s hope this catches on.”
When Bella left the clinic half an hour later, for the second time that week, she felt like she was walking on air. This one definitely came in second to making love with Caden, but it was a really good feeling. She climbed into her car and headed toward Orleans for her next appointment.
CADEN PULLED INTO the parking lot of Nauset Beach to take another report on a vehicle break-in. Evan was at Nauset with his friends today, and Caden had texted him when he left the station to let him know he’d be there shortly and would like to touch base. He knew Evan would only get the text if he was by the snack area or parking lot, but at some point he’d see it. He’d texted Bella hours ago, and he assumed either her meetings were going well or she’d forgotten to take her phone into the cottage, because she still hadn’t responded. When his cell vibrated, he hoped it might be her. He was surprised to receive a return text from Evan so quickly, since cell phones didn’t work on the beaches. He read the text.
Still here. Leaving soon to go to Bobby’s.
Caden texted him back.I’m here. Meet by snack bar in twenty mins?
He stepped from the patrol car and scanned his surroundings. A woman wearing shorts and a blue bathing suit stretched tight over her muffin top waved at him as he crossed the parking lot.
“Officer, they took my wallet and cell phone,” the woman said frantically. Her wet, dark hair stuck to her flailing arms. “I can’t believe it. All my contacts, my calendar, mylifeis on that phone.”
“Ma’am, slow down. I’m Officer Grant, and I’ll be happy to take the report.”
“Thank you. I just can’t believe my stuff is gone. I mean, really? I’m at the beach, for Pete’s sake. Who steals from people at the beach?”
Caden peered into the car. “Was the car locked at the time?”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I didn’t want to lose my keys on the beach.”
Of course you didn’t.Caden had long ago stopped being surprised by the naïveté of people. “Tourist towns are prime targets for thefts. I’d suggest that you keep your vehicle locked from now on.”
He jotted down the license plate number and the make of the vehicle.
“I’ve been coming to the Cape forever, and there has never been any crime.”
