Page 53 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Julie was dead on her feet. Caring for Sabrina all day had been exhausting, but even more exhausting was waiting for Allison to call and tell her what her fate would be.
Her phone beeped as she drove home, signaling that she had a message. There was a spot where her reception dropped between her house and Beth’s. And inevitably someone always called when she was in that exact spot.
Julie listened to the message and, sure enough, it was Allison. Her breath shallowed.
“Hey, Julie.” Allison’s voice came on her voicemail. “I spoke to Mr. Banks.” She hesitated during her message. “I don’t want to tell you this over the phone. Can you meet me somewhere? I’m going to Heroes in a bit for drinks. Meet me there?” She cleared her throat. “Okay. See you then, I hope.”
Julie replayed the message. What did it mean? Someone saying they needed to talk to you was never good. At least not in a relationship context. Veering off, she headed toward Heroes instead of home. She wasn’t excited about the news she was going to get, but at least there’d be alcohol handy. And, on an even brighter note, if she got wasted drunk she could call Lawson to come get her. And then he could comfort her some more.
Allison was already nursing a Budweiser when Julie walked in. She marched over to her table and held up her hand. “Don’t tell me anything until I’ve got my drink in front of me, too.”
Allison didn’t seem to be drowning her sorrows in her beer. Her mascara was still in place, Julie noted. No evidence of crying.
“Okay, well, maybe go ahead and tell me the news,” Julie said, draping her purse on the back of a chair and sitting down.
Allison set her bottle down. In the bar’s lighting her red hair glowed, making her green eyes pop as she smiled. “Mr. Banks is fine. He’s at home resting comfortably.”
“Really?” Julie took this in as she waited for the ton of bricks to drop. “But?”
Allison shook her head. “I didn’t make a big deal out of the incident when I spoke to him. I just told him that your new equipment had arrived and that you planned on using it during your next yoga class. He grunted and said that was fine.”
Julie swallowed. “So I’m working tomorrow?”
“I asked Mr. Banks why he ordered equipment when there was only one week left in the trial and he told me to tell you that he’s extending your deal. Two more classes and you’ll be moved to paid status.”
At this point she would’ve been relieved to come back for free. “Really? I can’t believe it. I’m so…” Julie hesitated.
“Happy?” Allison supplied. “Excited?”
“Confused.” Julie laughed. “Grateful, but confused. I sent Mr. Banks to the hospital last night.”
“Which he says may have saved his life. His back pain was related to his heart condition. They adjusted his medication and sent him home to rest.”
Julie’s mouth dropped open.
“So your yoga program kind of saved Mr. Banks’s life,” Allison said, taking another large drink from her beer.
Yoga had been Julie’s lifesaver, too, but in a much less dramatic way.
Allison stood. “We’ll be adding a few more classes to the schedule, too. To make you work for that generous salary Mr. Banks is offering.” She winked.
“Generous?”
“Well, you did save the man’s life. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you at the Veterans’ Center tomorrow. We’ll start the new schedule next week. Unless, of course, you’re interested in diving in tomorrow night. Your room is open. We just need to fill it.”
“As long as we don’t schedule classes in the mornings just yet. I have another job,” Julie said. A job that had become more important to her as time passed. She loved caring for Sabrina, and Beth only needed her for a little while longer while she trained. Then maybe just on a per diem status. “I can work from twoP.M. to close for right now, any night of the week.”
“Whatever you want.” Allison pointed at her beer bottle. “I only drank half. Feel free to have the rest.”
Julie nodded. “Thanks.” But she no longer needed a drink. All she needed now was Lawson.
Chapter 15
“Namaste.”
Lawson repeated Julie’s closing phrase as the Wednesday night yoga class wrapped up. The breathing and poses hadn’t helped him relax as much as usual tonight. He’d gone to see Dr. Pierce this morning, and she’d been brutal with her advice. She still didn’t think he was ready for relationships, or for flying.
“You okay?” Julie asked, placing her rolled-up yoga mat under her arm and coming up beside him. “You look stressed.”
