Page 78 of Home Team Advantage
“No buts, my dear. My mind is made up. I’m putting the house on the market and moving into the retirement village.”
Anna stared at Elsa in disbelief. “You love this house.”
“It’s given me many happy years. It’s time to move on. The village is the perfect place for me. My best friends are already there. Did I mention that Blanche and Mary Rose bought units? Bingo every Tuesday. A full dining room on the premises. Bus trips to dinner theaters and shopping and casinos. Live entertainment every weekend. Widowers,” she added with a secret, sly smile.
Anna pushed all thoughts of old people hooking up from her mind and thought back to Elsa’s prior arguments against leaving her house. “What about all the old people?”
Elsa laughed. “Age is a state of mind, my dear. There’s comfort to be found in spending time with those of my generation. Not too many of them left, I’m afraid.”
“Who is going to take care of you?”
“That’s the thing about the village,” Elsa said. “The suites are designed for independence, and help is only the press of a button away. Besides, you can check up on me anytime you want since you’ll be there too.”
“Come again?”
“I took the liberty of speaking with the board and told them they’d be damn fools not to hire you. If you want the job, of course. Before you answer, you should know that the starting salary is twice as much as I’m paying you, and it includes regular hours, full benefits, holidays off, and six weeks of personal time per year.”
Anna was shaking her head. “Now, I know you’re pulling my leg. Health care workers don’t get regular hours and holidays.”
“This isn’t a routine staff position, my dear. You’ll be in charge of the program.”
As Anna gaped at her, she said, “I told the board what a fabulous job you’ve done and that they need someone like you to improve the quality of care, particularly at their Willow Haven facility. It appears the previous director has made quite a mess of things. Patients are unhappy; families are complaining and threatening lawsuits. Believe me when I tell you, the board is desperate to make some changes. Promise me you’ll think about it.”
“I will.”
“Good.”
Anna helped Mrs. Campbell prepare for bed, then went to her own room. Change—even good change—took some time to process.
She was happy for Elsa. The older woman seemed excited about the prospect of being closer to her friends and having things to do every day. The job sounded fantastic as well, but Anna had become so comfortable here. She and Elsa had a nice routine, and Matt was right next door.
Where would she go?
She was still pondering the implications when Matt called later that evening.
“Hey, beautiful. How are you?”
Matt’s voice was a balm to her soul. After a year of being with him, the connection between them had only grown stronger. These frequent trips with his uncles scared her though. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to know about the true nature of what they did, but she and Matt had no secrets between them.
“I’ll be better when you’re home. Did everything go okay?”
“Like clockwork,” he said. “How was your day? Anything interesting happen?”
“Mrs. Campbell decided she’s selling the house and moving into a luxury suite in the retirement village. Oh, and she got me a job with the private company that owns the village and Willow Haven to revamp their whole personal care system.”
Several moments ticked by in silence before Anna said, “Are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. How do you feel about that?”
“I’m still processing. It sounds like a great opportunity, doesn’t it? I mean, I’d be stupid not to take it, right? With Mrs. Campbell leaving the nest, what else am I going to do?”
He chuckled at the leaving the nest part. “Sounds like you want to take the job.”
“I do,” she confessed. “I just don’t know if I can do it. Taking care of one person is one thing. Running an entire team of caregivers? That’s next level.”
“You’re next level,” Matt said, and the love and warmth in his voice made her wish he were there with her now. She wanted to kiss him and do that thing with her hands that made him growl and flip her over and do that amazing thing he did with his tongue.
“I really miss you,” she sighed into the phone.
