A Place to Heal by Allie Pleiter

Author:Allie Pleiter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-26T14:49:21+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The following Tuesday, Dana watched Mason walk up the sidewalk to the front steps of Theo Anderson’s architectural office just off the town square. She tried to fight her grin at the fact that Mason was wearing a shirt and tie. Up until now, she’d never seen him in anything but work or casual clothes. Since this was a business meeting, however, his choice of dress made an endearing sort of sense. She ignored the small surge of attraction she felt toward him in the spiffy attire—Mason Avery cleaned up very nice. She’d found him handsome in his more rugged attire, but she wondered if he knew what a stunner he was dressed up. Naturally, it wasn’t for her, but for the business nature of the meeting. She’d gone for a crisp pantsuit herself, wanting to make a good impression—on Theo, of course.

Despite the storm of nerves in her own stomach, Dana thought she caught a hint of admiration as Mason took in her wardrobe choice. They were learning new things about each other, that was for certain.

She clutched her file like a shield against the loud drum of her pulse. “You’re sure?” She had to ask again. Agreeing to this meeting with an architect to draw up preliminary plans felt like such a huge leap forward.

“If I’m honest, no,” he said, offering a shrug. “But I’m ready to think harder about it. And I know Theo.” Mason pulled the entrance door open for her, waving her inside. Dana couldn’t remember the last time anyone at the precinct opened a door for her. Equality on the force was a good thing, but there was something to be said for good old-fashioned manners in North Springs.

Mason’s familiarity with Theo had to be a good sign, right? Theo was on her side, and Theo could help convince Mason. If this meeting went the way she hoped it would, it was entirely possible that all the necessary paperwork could be submitted by next week. Next week! The possibility of that lit a fire in her.

As they headed down the hall to Anderson’s office, Dana asked “How’s Charlie?” before they reached the door.

“I haven’t had a call from the vice principal or Mrs. Booker,” Mason replied. “I call that a win. And we sit out by Franco every night after dinner.”

She raised an eyebrow in his direction. “Franco?”

Mason nodded. “Evidently the frog has a name now.”

The idea made Dana absurdly happy. She ran her thumb along the tab of the file that said “Camp True North Springs.” Names were important. Names made things real, and yours.

Theo Anderson was a tall, tan man with neat blond hair and serious-looking glasses. “Mason,” he said, extending a hand. “Good to see you.” He turned his gaze to Dana. “Miss Preston. The lady with the plan. You certainly meet my appetite for details.”

She shook his hand, suddenly worried about the multiple files she’d emailed over. “Too much?”

Theo led them to a small conference room. “No such thing in my business.

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