Love at First Kiss by Marianne Evans

Author:Marianne Evans [Evans, Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-03T16:00:00+00:00

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Gabe sat in front of Susanna’s desk at Wellsprings of Grace completing paperwork to assume a volunteer position at the center. A metal and vinyl chair wasn’t exactly comfortable against his tall, muscled frame, but it suited him well enough as he scribbled his name and personal information on form after form.

“Did I just sign away my pension? The rights to my firstborn child? Did you sneak a home purchase agreement in here somewhere?”

Susanna shot him a sassy look. “Don’t be a baby. All you’ve done is sign a standard waiver, a confidentiality agreement, then there’s the routine background check authorization and a personal information sheet, so we have appropriate contact material on file.”

“Even though I’m basically a temp who’s not drawing a salary?”

“Mm-hmm. Rules are rules.”

Gabe waggled his brows, continuing to sign. “Well, I’m nothing if not accessible.”

“I found that out firsthand.”

Her flirty comment inspired him to look up and offer a wink. Finally, he signed on the last dotted line. “Am I done?”

Susanna stretched back in her squeaky rolling chair, reviewing the paperwork. Her office was small, but neatly maintained. Her scratched but sturdy desk struck him as comforting. Durable.

She tucked the forms inside a manila folder then launched to her feet. “All set. Now you get the tour. Maybe I’ll work you into a late morning counseling session so you can see how we operate.”

Gabe staggered to his feet, clutching his chest. “Finally—a paperwork reprieve.”

“Ha-ha, funny man.”

Susanna led the way down a long hallway. They passed classrooms, conference rooms, and even a few dormitory-style living spaces with doors decorated by wipe-off boards, colorful cutouts of celebrities, world destinations, and even a few book, movie, and Bible quotes. Occupant names were printed out and posted as well, acting as room markers. Gabe soaked it all in.

Wellsprings of Grace had struck a chord within him the instant he drove up. He admired the clean lines of the sprawling, single-story facility crafted of sandy brick. Welcoming touches abounded—white wooden fences, ample trees and a lay of rolling land dotted by the last of the season’s heartiest flowers. Lines of thick green shrubbery led the way inside where Wellsprings featured exceptionally clean and bright quarters—an inviting haven to kids who found themselves in the midst of nightmares.

That left him wondering about Jane Doe. Since he had signed his way through all the necessary clearances, he wanted to find out more about the youngster who had caused Susanna such angst.

“…we have staff members who are licensed teachers. Education and counseling are the two strongest pillars of the rehabilitation process.”

Gabe homed in on the conversation at hand, matching strides with Susanna.

“Right now, three members of our facility are in what I refer to as lockdown,” she said. “That’s a level of probation enforced by my entire staff that restricts the ones who need it most. They can’t leave the grounds—even to go home. They’re required to successfully complete grade-level class work and earn the right to their freedom via fulfilled probation and consistently good behavior.

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