Page 14 of A Change Of Heart

Chapter Four

Get a grip, Stephanie!You've come too far to slip back now.

Even as she told herself this, she walked over to the window.Jason had crossed the street, head bent against the wind, hands in his pocket.He'd come and now he had gone.Nothing had changed.This "thing" between them, this magnetic attraction, was like a log on a fire.It would burst into flame then quickly snuff out.It needed to be stomped into the ground at once.They were friends with a common goal, helping Nicole get her father's kidney—if he was willing and if he was a match.

It was a lot of "ifs" and not worth stressing over.

Her breath had fogged up the window, so she swiped it with her elbow.Jason must have parked in the lot behind Main Street.She watched until he turned the corner, then opened the front door to see if any customers were in sight.

No.Just kids playing and mothers chatting under an awning.She shut the door and took a chair next to the side window.

Jason had headed off in a hurry to do his chores, but it made her wonder—did he have a girlfriend at the hospital, or in Albany?It would only make sense.A guy like him must have several female friends vying for his attention.He deserved to be happy.

Stephanie liked Albany very much and was happy that he lived there.When she'd first arrived she'd heard it was a beautiful city and on a day off she'd gone exploring.It was everything and more than what she'd heard, and convenient enough to visit often.

Being alone as long as she had, she didn't mind outings on her own.She didn't need a man to make her happy.She had her fairy tale romances, her book boyfriends, and wild adventures every night.Stories of pirates and tropical seas, gallant knights in shining armor clashing swords for the love of a fair maiden...fantasy worlds that lit her imagination and warmed her heart.

It was one reason she loved books so much.They could take an ordinary girl to extraordinary places, let her be anything she wanted to be, fly to the moon and back and have dashing men at every street corner.She and Jason would never work, they were much too different.While she craved adventure, he needed stability.

She would help him to unite Henry and Nicole, but after that she was out.Travel was her game plan not falling in love.

.The front door opened, and her pulse skipped.Had Jason returned to confess his undying love?She laughed at the idea, but was slightly disappointed when Henry walked in.

"What were you doing a few minutes ago, staring at the window?"Henry didn’t bother hiding a grin."Looked like you had your nose stuck to the glass."He chuckled."Couldn't be my handsome nephew, huh?"

"No, but isn't it strange that he's not married?He should be.Jason needs a nice woman to come home to after working all day saving lives."

Henry raised a brow."Who says he doesn't have one?"

Her cheeks burned as she faced her boss."Hope he does.I'm not pining for him, if that's what you think."

"Yeah, well staring out the window is a waste of time.For twelve bucks an hour you could be dusting the rows of books or sweeping the floor.Doing an honest day’s work."Henry unleashed Charlie who ambled toward the office sniffing for treats.

"Right.I'll get the broom and make the place sparkle."She hid an eye roll.

"Now, there's a good girl."Henry turned away."You and Jason went out a long time ago.Back in the days before...oh, never mind.It's over with now."

"What days?"she asked, hoping he'd say more.

"When Nicole was still sweet and full of laughter and mischief.Before she discovered drugs."Shoulders hunched over, Henry whistled to his dog who followed him to his office.

Stephanie went to work.Momma had taught her the value of rolling up her sleeves to get the chore complete—sooner begun, sooner done.She hummed along with the Christmas songs playing on the shop radio as she dusted the rows of books, arranging them in proper order.She swept the white frosting around the small tree.Place was perfection when the boss ventured out of his office a half hour later.

"Well, well, well.Nice job."Henry stuck his hands into his mustard-colored corduroy pants, held up by suspenders."I’m going next door for pastries.You want something?"

"Sure.Maybe one of those raspberry chocolate croissants?"

He looked her over."How come you're so darn slim?"

Steph laughed."It's all the work I do.Keeps me in great shape."She flexed her arms and gave him an impish smile."Besides, I usually skip breakfast.Let me get some money.My treat today."

"Naw.That's all right.I was just busting your chops earlier."Henry took off his eyeglasses and polished them with a tissue from his pocket."I'll grab us a couple of sandwiches, maybe turkey and cheese?And your fancy croissant, of course."

"Thanks Henry."She gave him a small smile."Know something?You're really not so bad after all."

"Got you fooled.I'm a mean son-of-a-gun, just have a taste for bakery goods, that's all."Henry winked."Sell some books while I'm away."He and Charlie ducked outside into the cool weather and shut the door behind them.

Without any customers around she had a few minutes to herself.She pulled out her cell phone and Goggled hospitals in Albany.There were dozens, but she ignored the larger ones, searching for something with a fine history.Perhaps a hundred years old or more, an exterior with mossy red bricks, blackened over time.But something kept bringing her back to a modern building with a large fountain in front, and lovely shaded trees with park benches to rest or enjoy a coffee break.

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