Page 2 of Healing Hope

Now if only he could find a reliable nanny.

Paul settled into the drive, brainstorming requirements for a caregiver.

2

Pulling into the lot of the Healing Home office, Jessamy Swan parked her jeep and slid out, giving a little wiggle to settle her shorts over her thighs right. It was sticky hot today in San Diego and she wanted to keep driving just to keep the air moving, even if it felt like a blow dryer was blowing in her face. It was a hot one today. Or maybe it just seemed so hot because she was so tired.

The chill of the AC as she walked into the office was a shock. A shudder wracked her body, but she smiled at the admin. “Hey, Mel. How’s it shaking?”

Mel looked up with a grin. “Fine, mostly. What are you up to, Trouble?”

Jess made a face at the woman. “What? Trouble? Me? Nah…” she laughed.

Mel just shook her head. “No speeding tickets on your way here? Or is there a stray homeless man in your car? Or a cat? I’m afraid to ask where you’ve been this week.”

Jess laughed, leaning against Mel’s desk. “No homeless man today. And I was in New Guinea this week on a date. We went snorkeling.”

Mel rolled her dark eyes, laughing. “Was it a good date?”

Jess shrugged. “Meh. He just wanted a companion he could show off.”

“How do you find these guys?” Mel breathed. “I can’t even find a guy to get pizza with, let alone fly off to an island in the Pacific. It’s an island, right?”

Jess nodded at her questioning look. “It’s about a five-hour flight from Australia, actually. And New Guinea is a country. One of the smallest in the world, but definitely an island.”

Mel stopped and stared at her, shaking her head. Jess tossed her hair over her shoulder and shrugged, grinning. “You asked.”

Shaking her head, Mel moved to the open office door. “Carolina. Your wandering savior is here.”

Carolina George walked out of the office looking buttoned-up and prim in a purple suit, totally opposite of Jess herself. Grinning, Carolina laughed as she looked her up and down, then pulled her in for a hug. “You’re looking deliciously tan, Jess. Come on in.”

Jess returned Carolina’s hug and followed her into her office. “Thank you. Coming from a California girl that’s saying something.”

Jess didn’t feel like she looked any tanner than she normally did. She glanced at her thigh as she crossed her legs, running her hand down to her knee. Okay, maybe a bit. She had noticed that her hair had bleached a little, lighter blond highlights shooting through the tawny brown.

Carolina appeared sun-kissed as well, Jess thought. There was a flush to her cheeks that was a little curious. “Are you okay?”

If anything, her cheeks darkened even more. “Yes, just running late.”

Jess grinned. “Ah… anyone I know making you run late?”

“No,” Carolina snapped, a subtle smile spreading her lips. She reached for a manila folder. “So, about this job.”

“Worst segue ever…” Jess murmured, grinning.

“I had a call from Erin Knox about this job. Paul Jameson is the hospital director for La Jolla Rehabilitation Center. They serve mostly veterans recovering from injury, and he’s a veteran himself. He has recently taken custody of his daughter but there were some guardianship issues. No details about that in here, but Erin says he’s floundering a little. The transfer of guardianship was sudden and he’s scrambling to get the girl settled. She is about to turn five.”

Jess gave her a look from beneath her brows. “I don’t normally do kids.”

Carolina drew in a breath. “I know you don’t, but we’re in a pickle right now. I have people dropping like flies from my company and we’re all having to adapt.”

“Why do you have people falling like flies?”

Carolina sighed. “I’m not even sure what the deal is,” she complained, throwing a hand in the air. “There are just a lot of relationships developing recently with my contractors. It’s taxing my already small workforce. Even my sister abandoned me.”

“BB?” Jess questioned.

“Yes,” Carolina said with an eye roll. “She fell in love with the Navy SEAL I sent her to work with. So,” she said, giving Jess a significant stare, “no relationships! I shouldn’t have to tell you, because I know how you feel about long-term relationships, but I’m still putting it on record. Sleep with him if you must, just don’t abandon me.”

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