Page 41 of Love Me Sweet

They both turned at the sound of a door opening.

“What kind of business is that?” Cole asked, as his gaze focused down the main hallway.

“O’Shea Sports.” Andrew couldn’t recall the last time he’d had to explain about the business. Back in Boston, the O’Shea family was well known.

“No way.” Cole might have said more, likely would have said more, but at that moment the women stepped into view.

Women, as in Sylvie and three friends. One must have been Cole’s wife, Meg, if the hug and kiss he gave her was an indication. The public display of such affection was foreign but unlike his parents, Andrew didn’t find it distasteful or unseemly.

Meg was tall and willowy with a mass of auburn hair and a face sprinkled with freckles. Her wide mouth held humor and her eyes had sparkled the instant she’d spotted her husband. Josie Campbell, the bride-to-be, watched Meg and Cole with an understanding expression on her face.

Sylvie’s gaze had gone instantly to Andrew.

He smiled and she crossed the waiting room to him, Josie at her side.

“I take it your luncheon has concluded?” he asked, widening his smile to include Josie.

“I hadn’t seen the clinic since it was complete.” Josie answered before Sylvie had a chance to speak. “Meg offered to show us around.”

“I was surprised to see the van outside.” Though Sylvie didn’t look overly happy to see him, he sensed she wasn’t bothered by his presence.

Andrew supposed he should take that as a positive. After all, had he really expected her to move into his arms like Meg had done with Cole? “I was at Hill of Beans grabbing some lunch and Cole asked if I wanted a tour.”

“What do you think?” The husky voice had Andrew glancing to his right. Meg Lassiter extended her hand and introductions were exchanged.

“It has everything a doctor needs.” Andrew thought of the clinics in various church basements. “Back in Boston I helped out in what we called ‘pop-up” clinics. We were lucky to have an exam table. Compared to those places, this is the Ritz.”

“We’ll have to discuss those clinics sometime in more detail. What other communities are doing to meet the needs of the working poor are of real interest to me, and many others in Jackson Hole.” Meg pushed a hand back through her thick, curly hair, and he saw in her eyes the same passion he’d seen in Sylvie’s whenever she mentioned creating a special cake. “But I promised Josie and Sylvie a tour. I’ve got a therapy scheduled in an hour so the clock is ticking.”

“I can show them around, Meg,” Cole offered.

Josie exchanged a glance with Sylvie.

“Fine with me,” Sylvie said.

“Let me show you the therapy area.” Meg grabbed Josie’s hand. “There’s even a space for a massage table. Right now, we just have a chair.”

“It’s a good start.” Josie followed Meg down the hall.

Sylvie glanced around. “This place is really nice.”

“Get Andrew to tell you about his pop-up clinics in Boston,” Cole said to her. “I’d like to hear more about them myself.”

“Pop-up clinics?” Meg lifted a brow, apparently already done with the brief tour. “Tell me more.”

“Since you’re pressed for time now, perhaps we can all get together another time. I’d be happy to tell you all you want to know.”

“Noah and I want to come, too,” Josie said. “I’m interested.”

Meg cocked her head, her gaze settling on Sylvie. “Book club is next Tuesday at my house. If we can get Sylvie to agree to come, that’d be a good time.”

Andrew frowned. This conversation was jumping around so much, he was having difficulty keep up. “Book club?”

“I’ll explain later. Just put Tuesday night in your calendar.” Cole leaned over and brushed a kiss across his wife’s lips. “See you soon.”

Meg gave him a wink, told her friends good-bye then sauntered off.

After the tour, Josie ended up taking Cole back downtown, while Sylvie climbed into the van with Andrew.

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