Page 44 of Blessings in Disguise

“Sure.” They sat.

Harlan opened the book. The first new drawing was of the two of them. They were standing arm and arm, in front of his house.

“Harlan, this is so good. The house, me, you. The subjects are depicted so well.”

“Thanks. Wait for it, though.” He turned the page. Gemma’s face stared out at him. Instead of charcoal, he’d drawn her in living color—the russet of her hair, the green of her eyes. He even got the peach sundress right. “I’m speechless.”

“Aw.”

When he found his voice, he asked, “Can I have this one?”

“Eventually. I’ll tell you why when you finish.”

There were five more pages. Some of people—Maisy and Jackson—one of a dog that Caleb thought might bark right off the page. Freddie. Then some landscapes. But no dragons or weapons.

“Wow. You’re a fantastic artist. Tell me why I can’t have Gemma’s portrait now.”

“Her and me talked about my future. She asked if I could have any job I wanted what would it be. I said an artist. Pathways trained me in a trade—welding—but since I have a place to stay,I thought maybe I could pursue my art. For a while at least. Gemma had some ideas how.”

“All this is fine by me.”

“We went online and there are some art classes in Syracuse for more formal training.”

“I could drive you there. Or you could get your license and take the car.”

“Thanks, Caleb. There’s also some intern assistants wanted right here in Westwood. She texted links to me. She said I was in a good enough place to go after them myself.” A big grin. “So I’m going to call them today.”

Caleb felt his eyes mist. “Oh, Harlan, this makes me truly happy.”

“I figured it would. There’s one more thing. I want you to know that it’s your house and Gemma can move in any time before the wedding. I’m a big boy and know the ways of the world.” He laughed at his own phrasing.

“I hear you. Though we’re planning to get married soon. We don’t want any fanfare, just close friends.”

“Congrats, Rev.”

“Thanks, son.”

* * *

After things settled down at Pathways, Pax received a call from Jackson Kane to come in for a meeting. He’d packed up the Syracuse clinic with great sadness and was thinking about his next move. He missed medicine already.

He climbed the steps to the administration building and walked into reception. A big guy with bright red hair looked up from the desk, then stood. He came around to the front. “You must be Dr. Barry.”

“Pax.”

“Harry.” They shook hands. “Jackson’s waiting for you.”

He led Pax to a door and it opened to an office. “Hi, Jackson. Pax is here.”

Jackson stood and came around the desk, too. “I’m glad you came to see me, Pax.”

“Of course.” It wasn’t like Pax had a lot of options these days. “You’re all dressed up.”

Jackson wore a crisp white shirt, open at the top, with a taupe blazer and pants.

“Yep. I’m in a wedding this afternoon. Let’s sit over here.” Before Jackson joined him, the intercom buzzed. “Maisy’s on the phone. She told me not to bother you but you said to patch though any calls from her.”

“I’ll talk to her,” he said as he was connected. “Hey honey. Everything’s okay…Yeah, yeah, I got it. I won’t forget.”

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