Husband by Choice

“Yes,” Jenna said. She’d tried the tea. Didn’t like it all that much. The milk made it too heavy. But she’d sip it. Slowly. Because she could tolerate pretty much anything as long as she didn’t focus on it going down.

For now, her cup sat in its delicate china saucer on the walnut claw-footed table beside her.

“What did you study?”

“Various things. How about you, do you have a degree?”

“Yes.”

She’d been at the Stand a little over twenty-four hours and it hadn’t taken her that long to realize that no one knew much about the managing director. After Lila’s visit to her room the night before, she’d done a bit of quiet asking around.

“What did you do before coming to The Lemonade Stand?”

Lila’s gaze was pointed as Jenna’s question lay between them. Jenna expected a prevarication. Just as she wasn’t being completely honest with her. Such a contrast to the day she’d had, sharing lunch with women who told their stories openly. Dams bursting and releasing the hell of terror they’d experienced in one form or another.

“I was a school teacher,” Lila said conversationally.

From school teaching to managing a shelter for battered women?

“Do you miss it?”

“No.”

Because Lila was satisfied with the life she was leading? Fulfilled by it?

Meredith Bennet knew about living a fulfilling life. And so Jenna knew. But that wasn’t for her to dwell on. Not on that or anything else that would take away focus and strength from the task at hand.

She’d been called to Lila’s suite for a chat. So she chatted. “You didn’t like teaching?”

“Yes. I liked it very much. But it was time for a change.”

Lila’s gaze wasn’t piercing anymore. It was...assessing. And warm. In a motherly sort of way.

Jenna took a sip of tea. Admired the rose silk flower arrangement on a side table.

“What about you?” Lila asked. “Do you have a career?”

“I’m a speech pathologist.”

Lila’s brows rose and she asked, “What’s your specialty?”

“Pediatrics.”

“Are you willing to donate some time while you’re here?”

A slippery slope if ever there was one. They wouldn’t find a license for Jenna McDonald. But, if she could have even a small piece of her real life back, just enough to remind her how great it had been, to keep her strong while she prepared to face down the evil spirit in her life....

If she could help others while she was protecting Max and Caleb....

Lila’s stare was intense. It was as if the woman could read her mind. And her mind was the one thing no one got close to unless she invited them in. Max and Caleb were her only guests. Ever.

She’d fought too hard, for too long, regaining control of her mind from Steve, to give it up again.

“I’m willing to help out anyplace I can.” Innocuous words. She’d see where they took her.

?

??I’m assuming you have certification? A state license to practice?”