Page 32 of Blessings in Disguise

“How have you done it?”

“We’ve kept going even though it was hard. But the city makes these decisions. I fought them, but to no avail.”

“I’m sorry. What will you do?”

“I have no idea.” At least he had the money in his 401K plan. And savings, from when he’d been rich.

Jackson took out his card and handed it to Pax. “When you’re through here, give me a call. Maybe I can help you.”

Nobody can help me. “Sure, I’ll do that.”

Jackson stood. “We’d like to take Harlan back to Westwood with us. We have a med center at Pathways to take care of him.”

“You’ll need to stay a couple of more hours. And then, an ambulance has to transport him. He’s still critical.”

Jackson stood. “I can arrange that.”

Pax remembered whenhe’dhad that much power.

“I’ll come with you. I want to check to see if he’s well enough to travel, even by ambulance.”

“Of course.”

When they walked back into the cubicle Jackson asked, “He’s asleep again?”

Pax put in, “Probably the loss of blood is causing that.”

Jackson spoke to the very pretty woman and the man who waited with her. “Dr. Barry said we can take him home in a few hours. I’ll arrange for an ambulance. We’re going to get him back to Pathways’ Med Center and work with him.”

Chapter 5

Gemma sat in her office, totally drained. Yesterday had been exhausting. With worry over Harlan and being in constant company of Caleb, her nerves were shot. Sighing heavily, she stared out her office window blankly.

“Hey, there.”

Gemma swiveled her chair around. “Maisy. How nice to see you.”

“You, too.” Maisy crossed to the desk, adorable with her baby bump and the freckles on her cheeks that the sun had brought out. “Can I sit?”

“Of course.”

“I came over to see Harlan but he keeps falling back to sleep. So I stopped to see you.” Her gaze narrowed on Gemma’s face. “You look awful.”

Gemma touched her face. “I feel that way. Yesterday was a nightmare.”

“Caleb told me some of it. The added stress of being thrown together with my brother probably made things worse.”

“I’m sorry to say that’s true.” She felt emotion rising inside her and struggled to quell it.

“He said you haveirreconcilable differences.”

“I don’t see it that way. He broke our relationship off. I’m afraid I can’t say more, Maise. It’s his story to tell.”

“Yeah. I know.” She sighed. “Grab your purse.”

“Why?”

“I’m springing you from here. We’ll go for a short walk then eat lunch. We won’t talk about Caleb.”

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