Page 19 of Blessings in Disguise

Gemma added, “And now your brother’s helping out.”

“He is?”

Apparently, Caleb kept his counseling of Harlan to himself.

“Didn’t you know?” Gemma answered. “It’s not a secret. He’s signed on to help a particular boy who wanted a male counselor.”

“Jackson didn’t tell me, but I’m surprised Caleb didn’t.”

“It’s only been a couple of weeks.”

Annie asked, “Will you enjoy working with Caleb?”

“I will. We’ve become good friends.” Very good. She had a flash of him in bed, leaning over her, talking naughty.

“That’s great.” This from Maisy. “He’s had such a hard time.”

Gemma nodded. “I know.”

Lara said, “I do too. But he must be doing better.”

“He is.” Gemma spoke up before she realized it was Maisy’s place to answer.

Maisy eyed her. “Have you gotten…closeto him?”

Gemma wasn’t comfortable sharing the details in front of strangers. So she said jokingly, “I’d like to change the subject, please.”

Maisy let it go. But when they parted ways after lunch, and Gemma got in her car, she was surprised when Maisy slid in the other side. “Do you need a ride?”

“No. Did you really not want to answer my question about you and Caleb?”

“Actually, I’m dying to have someone to talk to about it. But I don’t know Lara very well.”

Maisy’s eyes lit with mischief and she turned fully in her seat. “Dish.”

“I pushed him to share his feelings about his past before I realized he couldn’t do that.”

“Heshouldtalk about it.”

“Since then hehasshared some things with me. And, well, he came over for dinner and we talked. Things went further than either of us planned.” She sighed. “A lot further.”

Maisy watched her. She went red-faced. Then she burst into tears. Sobs.

Gemma grabbed her friend’s hand. “Maisy, if that displeases you this much—”

“I-I’m not displeased.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m elated.” She wiped her cheeks. “I didn’t think he’d ever let himself care enough to be intimate with a woman again.”

“Whew. That’s a relief.”

Maisy gulped back the emotion. “So, is he happy?”

Gemma couldn’t help but smile. “He’s happy, Maisy.”

“Thank you so much. Now when can we have you two over for dinner?”

---