Page 23 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Look at me, dodging eighteen-wheelersandterrifying design projects.”

“This is your year, Jilly. I can feel it in my bones.”

On the drive, while they both basked in the freedom that layahead, Jill turned to Devyn from the passenger’s seat, outfitted with softpillows to make the bumps in the road hopefully less excruciating. She shookher head in disbelief. “It’s all still here. Look. The town, the people. In themidst of all I’ve been through, the world kept turning. They’re still livingtheir regular lives.” She waved at an older couple walking hand in hand downthe sidewalk. They waved back with a smile.

“Look, though. They’re happier now,” Devyn said. “The Bay was justwaiting for you to return, so all could be right with the world again.”

That sentiment was confirmed when they turned onto Jill’stree-lined street. This was the part Devyn had been waiting for. ElizabethDraper, along with twenty-five fourth graders holding homemade Welcome Homesigns, began to cheer loudly and jump up and down right there in Jill’s frontlawn. Devyn glanced over happily for her sister’s reaction, which was one she’dnever forget.

“I don’t believe this,” Jill said, covering her mouth as theypulled into the drive. “I’m going to cry. Oh, my God. Yep, crying in progress.Look at these guys. Devyn, these are my kids.”

Devyn grinned at Jill’s happiness. “Well, don’t go leaping out ofthe car. Let me come and help you. We still have to be careful, small people ornot.”

She hurried around the car, and once Jill was safely in her new setof wheels, namely the wheelchair they’d rented, she wheeled Jill over to herstudents, who each took turns covering her in gentle hugs, well-wishes, andlove. In their midst, Jill simply beamed. It was the best medicine possible.

“I’m so glad it worked out,” Elizabeth said quietly, taking herspot next to Devyn as they looked on. She folded her arms across her chest andlet out a happy sigh, wearing a cute pair of denim overall shorts that lookedgreat on her. “The kids were thrilled to welcome her home.”

Devyn held out a hand in Elizabeth’s direction. “All the creditgoes to you. I had my doubts about putting you guys on call without knowing theexact time we’d be discharged, but you did it. This just made her day. Heryear. I can tell.”

“You doubted me?” Elizabeth’s jaw dropped playfully. “I had thosekids occupied with art supplies and pretty much any and every Hostess producton the market. I’m no rookie.”

Devyn laughed. “I won’t doubt you or your company ever again.” Shefrowned. “I forget its name.”

“On the Spot. You should write that down. In fact, here’s abusiness card. We have a fantastic website you need to take a look at, too.Tell your friends. We’re getting busier by the day.” Elizabeth lit up when shetalked about On the Spot. She clearly took pride in her work, as random as thework might be.

“And how much do I owe On the Spot for this particular task?”

Elizabeth balked. “No, no, no. This one was for Jill. On thehouse. Plus, it was my idea. I’m not gonna hire myself.”

“Then allow me to make a donation.” Devyn pulled a handful ofbills from her pocket and thumbed through some twenties.

“Put that away,” Elizabeth said, swatting at it playfully. “We’reall squared away here. Jill is happy. The kids are happy. And you and I arehappy. There’s no need for money to change hands when the world is at peace.”With that, she flitted away to wrangle the kids with Devyn staring after herand those overalls.

She might not have been much of a businessperson, refusingpayment, but Elizabeth’s actions spoke to her character, and Devyn couldcertainly not fault her. She also came with a certain lighthearted optimism. Itwas…nice, and maybe “nice” deserved more credit than she’d previously assignedit.

Three hours and a lot of slow maneuvering later, Devyn had Jillcomfortably on the couch with an audiobook and her pain medication administeredon schedule. Now she needed to figure out dinner and the near future beyond.“So, what’s on your list of requirements for an at-home nurse? I mean, if wewere to hire your perfect Mary Poppins.”

Jill pressed pause on her phone and turned from her spot on thecouch. “What do you mean?”

Devyn found a bag of heat-and-serve frozen pasta to pop onto thestove for the two of them. Perfect. “I’ll do the legwork to make sure they sendus the right person, but since you’re the patient, you should get a say in whatthey’re like. What qualities are you looking for?”

“I don’t understand. Why do we need a home nurse?” Jill stared ather quizzically. “You’re here and doing a great job. Don’t second-guessyourself.”

Devyn paused mid-bag-rip. “It’s just that I’ll be heading back toPhiladelphia soon.” She was already pushing it. Her team was doing the bestthey could with Twenty-Four Walker and had sold six units, but that put themway behind schedule.Shewas the closer andshewas the one the other brokers wanted to do business with.

Jill took a moment. “What are you talking about? You’re leavingalready?”

“I figured you understood that I’d have to get back to work.”

Jill nodded but didn’t say anything. The best way to describe thelook on her face was distant and devastated.

Devyn hated that. “I’m sorry. I thought we were on the same pageabout that.”

“It’s just that there’s just so much rehab ahead of me still, andI can barely get myself off this couch.” Now she just looked terrified.

“That’s why we get you the best home health nurse possible.”

Jill shook her head in sad disbelief. It was clear her copingskills were taxed, and who could blame her? “I just can’t imagine having a strangerin my house, doing those kinds of personal things for me.”

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