Page 42 of Free to Fall

Bailey pulls back. “Why’s that?”

“Because it was your last week of school and our first week together. Therefore, that deserves a celebration,” Laura replies simply.

Bailey hugs her again. “Thank you, Laura.”

Laura presses her cheek to the crown of Bailey’s head before gently pulling back. “Unfortunately, I have to go.”

Before I can thank her, protest, or suggest she celebrate with us, Laura’s already at the front door. She calls out, “Have a good weekend, Bailey.”

“You too, Laura.”

I follow her to the front door and lay my hand on her arm to halt her departure. “Laura.”

“Yes?”

“Stay. Celebrate with us.” I glance over my shoulder to find Bailey’s wheeled herself over to the box and is enraptured by the decorations world-famous baker Corinna Freeman did just for her.

“I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”

I’m about to ask her why not when aqua blue eyes highlighted next to flushed cheeks meet mine. “Enjoy your weekend, Liam.” With that, she leaves, pulling the door closed behind her.

Later, as Bailey and I both devour the luscious dessert she was surprised with, I wonder if the good doctor makes house calls.

I seem to have developed an ache I suspect only she can heal.

Chapter

Nineteen

My hands are trembling when I lay yellow roses on Karimat’s grave while I tell her all about Bailey Payne. I leave nothing out, including my mixed emotions about why I took the job. Dashing tears away from my eyes, my voice warbles when I admit, “She kind of reminds me of you. She calls me on my crap constantly.”

In my mind, I hear Karimat’s laugh.

My finger traces over the upraised flowers that adorn her tombstone. “I know why Alice sent me there, Karimat,” I admit. “She sent me there because she knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my heart closed off from a little girl who was as affected by that night as we were.”

A breeze lifts my hair off my neck. A silent acknowledgment from my friend.

My hand presses flat on the stone. “How could she know I’d planned to close it off? I’d only accepted that myself.”

A long ago conversation with Karimat comes to my mind.

Alice winks a quick hello to the two of us as she passes by with Dr. Moser in the hospital cafeteria. The two of them are talking in low voices.

Karimat leans in. “Wouldn’t you give up your salary to know what they’re discussing?”

“Hmm. Probably budget stuff. She is the head of her department.”

Karimat flung her napkin in my face. “Come on, Gore. Have a little more imagination. He could be telling her all his deep, dark, dirty secrets.”

I snort. “Give me a break. Do you think a man like Moser—no, let me rephrase—a doctor like Moser would lower himself to talk to a shrink?”

“Probably not,” she admits. Then she tossed back her tight black curls before she addressed me head on. “But Alice is like a sorceress. She has an innate understanding of where pain sources are and has to fix them. Lost a patient? Alice somehow knows. Rough day? Go talk to Alice. Broken heart? Alice is there ready with her never ending supply of chocolate.”

“Do you think it works?”

“If your heart is open to it.” She leans forward and beams. “Don’t worry, Gore. If you ever have to go see Alice on a professional level, I’ve got your back.”

“Gee, thanks.”

---