Page 37 of Blessings in Disguise

He glanced over at the door. “Dr. Kendrick.” Even his voice was stronger now.

“Hey, there, young man. How are you feeling?”

“Weak.” He frowned, deeply. “Stupid.”

“Don’t go there, Harlan. You were sad, too sad to deal with life.”

“I don’t know what to do now.” He swept the room with his gaze. “I can’t stay here.”

“I think the plan is for you to do just that until we have a place for you.”

He closed his eyes. “I got nowhere to go.”

“Nonsense. Pathways will take care of you.”

He gave her a look so full of doubt and her heart sank.

A knock on the door. From a seat next to the bed, Gemma saw Caleb standing in the archway. “Hey, Harlan.” He gave Gemma a smile. “Hi.”

“Hello, Caleb.”

He took a chair on the opposite side of the bed. “Tell me how you’re feeling, Harlan.”

“Better physically.”

“I can see that. What about emotionally?”

Tears came to his eyes but he didn’t speak.

Gemma answered for him. “He thinks he has no place to go. I told him we wouldn’t abandon him.”

“Include me in that, buddy.”

“It’s no use. Nobody wants me.”

Caleb straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I have an idea. And I got a chance to run it by Jackson. I want you to come home with me. I have a huge house and I’m all alone in it unless Freddie stays over.”

Gemma forced herself not to gasp.

Harlan’s face blanked.

“I’m saying that I want you to come to live with me for as long as you want to.”

Now tears clouded his eyes. “I don’t…I can’t…you’d really do that for me?”

“I would and I am. As a matter of fact, Jackson and I already packed your suitcase. It’s in my car.”

Gemma bit her lip. It was then that she realized she was in love with Caleb Shepherd.

Chapter 6

“Boy, this is a big room, Dr. Shepherd. And really nice.”

“Thanks. Maisy and I remodeled the whole place.” Caleb didn’t take his eyes off Harlan. “And since you’re going to be living in my home, you can call me Caleb. Like Freddie does.”

“Okay.” Harlan sniffed. “What’s that smell?”

“Maisy brought over potpourri. If it’s too strong for you, I can remove it.”

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