Page 2 of Safe With Me

“The storefront.”

“I’ll be glad to be outside.” Jackson sighed. “I covet that, these days.”

“The paint’s by the door, and there’s ladders already leaning against the building.”

Jackson crossed to Pax. Put a hand on his shoulder. “See, I told you we could do this.”

“We? You’re the one who worked miracles to get this place ready in two months. We’ll meet our open house date of November first easily.” The building and equipment had already passed inspection by the city and representatives of the state medical board. Jackson had pulled a lot of strings. Pathways was still his baby, but it gave him immense satisfaction to help the community. And fulfilled one of his long-time goals.

* * *

Jackson might be glad to be in the fresh air, but Pax wanted to work out here because it was harder to talk to each other. During the planning with the architect, to the ordering of equipment, to the hiring of a receptionist and a nurse, (they still needed a doctor part-time), Jackson pestered Pax to talk about his life.

Pax had managed not to.

They placed the ladders on either side of the door and the sign,Westwood Clinic. Pax had wanted the place to be named after Jackson but the man wouldn’t hear of it.

Jackson talked, regardless of the street noise. And foot traffic. “Who did you invite to the open house?”

“Nobody.”

“Seriously. Tell me why.”

“Jackson, I don’t have any friends and my family’s from L.A. I came to upstate New York to work at Upstate Medical University.” Because it had a reputation where Pax knew he could build one for himself. And he had--he’d become one of the most respected surgeons in the state. In the country.

“You have friends now. Me and Maisy. The guys inside. And you’ll make more with your coworkers.”

Pax shook his head. And was glad when the traffic got heavy and they couldn’t hear each other.

He was grateful. Hewas. But he knew not to count his chickens in life because what you had, what you built up, could be gone in an instant.

Jackson Kane had been among the lucky ones to survive the sharp pain of that sword.

* * *

“Hello. Is anybody here?”

From the back of the clinic, someone called out, “Be right there.”

While she waited, Stephanie Giordano walked around the reception area. And sniffed. The place had been newly painted. She came upon an alcove, done in primary colors with numbers and letters and animal decals on the wall. It was cute.

“Hello.”

She turned.

An attractive, if harried man dressed in paint speckled clothes had come out. “How can I help you?”

“I’m you’re security guard from Investigator Solutions.” Will Kirkland’s business.

His eyes widened. Hell! This happened to her all the time. She tried to compensate for her looks by pulling her strawberry blond hair back into a bun and covering the freckles on her face with makeup. “You sure you were sent by Will?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I was expecting…a guy. I can’t believe you—”

She leapt forward, circled him and pulled his arm behind his back. She was close enough to smell his very masculine scent.

He didn’t say anything.

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