Her Fresh Start Family by Lorraine Beatty

Author:Lorraine Beatty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-03-08T14:08:16+00:00

Chapter Eight

Nina’s good spirits carried her the next few days. She was starting to feel like her old self, and she liked the feeling. She walked out of her office Thursday, thinking how strange it was to see Dottie at her desk. She’d switched her work days due to a doctor’s appointment.

Dottie motioned her to her desk, smiling in delight. “You have two new patients. One is a single mom who just moved to town, and she’s looking for a good therapist. She’s a widow, as well, and is in need of some help during her move here. The other is a mother and son who need help learning how to communicate before their relationship deteriorates any further. I’ve scheduled them both for next Thursday.”

“Did you tell them I’m a substitute?”

“I did. They weren’t concerned.”

Nina bit her lip. She hadn’t anticipated growing her friend’s practice. But she was starting to gain patients of her own, and it was a scary thought. Kathryn had files and notes on all the people she’d counseled, which had given Nina a clear understanding of each one before she met with them. But these new ones were coming to her like blank pages. She’d have to evaluate, analyze and determine their treatment on her own.

A surge of confidence swelled inside. Maybe when she went back home, instead of looking for a new job, she could start her practice again. It would take a while to get it up and running, but it might be worth it. In the midst of her losses, she’d forgotten how much satisfaction she derived from helping others.

“Kitty will be so proud of you.”

“Are you sure she won’t be upset? I don’t want her to think I’m taking over her practice.”

“Nonsense. She was hoping your time here would help you get out of your rut and start living again.” Dottie’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes filled with regret. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”

“Did she really think I was in a rut?”

Dottie pursed her lips. “Well, weren’t you?”

The truth stung. But she couldn’t deny it. She hadn’t thought of it as a rut, but she had sensed on some level that she needed to get up and move again. She’d been stagnant too long. “I suppose.”

“And look at all you’ve accomplished since coming down here with us. You’re more relaxed, you’ve made friends, you have a nice young man to spend time with and you’re keeping Kitty’s practice running and growing.”

“Oh, well, some of that might be true, but the part about the young man isn’t. There is nothing going on between me and Bret.”

“Why not? He’s a great catch.”

“I’m sure he is, and he’s a nice man, but I’m not looking for any kind of relationship.”

“Maybe it’s looking for you?”

Nina arched her brows. “Then I’ll keep the door shut.”

Dottie chuckled. “You can try, but when love comes knocking, it won’t walk away so easily. You’ll see. In fact, I’d be willing to predict—”

The office door suddenly whooshed open, and a large man entered, his angry gaze scanning the two women.

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