Page 43 of Protecting Gina

She laughed, then bumped his shoulder. “Thank you for letting me come live here. I checked my email and saw that I have four interviews next week. I may not be working in geriatric nursing, but I will get a job in nursing easily.”

“Do you want to stay in that kind of nursing? You know, with people you know will probably die?”

She nodded, then shrugged. “It’s sad. I see people die all the time, and I don’t like that aspect of the job, but someone has to do it, and it’s rewarding in a way. I know for sure I don’t want to work on the other end of the spectrum, in pediatrics. That takes a special kind of person. I can’t deal with sick kids.”

“Yeah. When we experience children on our missions, it’s so much worse.”

She turned to him, narrowing her gaze. “That would be awful.”

He nodded. “I can’t talk about details, but those are the things that stick with me.”

She locked arms with him and rested her head on his shoulder as they watched Cass enjoying her time running all over the beach.

After a few more minutes, Cass ran over to them, laughter spilling out. Her smile was huge, and Gina laughed with her.

“That was so much fun. Oh gosh, how does anyone get anything done in this city? Why aren’t more people out here?”

Wave laughed. “People have to work to afford to live out here. They come out on the weekends if the weather is good.”

Cass spun with her hands lifted above her head. “This is the perfect place.”

Wave nodded. “It really is. I love it out here. I need to come more often.”

“I’m sure I’ll drag you out here more than you want.”

“It will be good for me,” Wave said. “Are you two about ready to head home and make dinner?”

Cass took off running. “Just a few more minutes,” she called out over her shoulder.

Wave shook his head. “I hope she doesn’t want a dog any time soon.”

Gina watched as Cass ran around with one of the dogs, laughing and playing with them. It was good to see Cass so happy. The girl had been through a lot, and she needed good things in her life.

“On Friday you’ll meet Willa and Pen. You’ve already met Blakely.”

“We didn’t have much time to talk, but she seems very nice.”

“I don’t really know her. But Jump likes her.”

“So your buddies, what are their names?”

“There’s Bang, Cy, T, Jump, and Foster. T and Bang aren’t with anyone that I know of. Of course, something could have happened while I was gone, but it’s doubtful.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”

“They may seem intense, but they are good guys.”

She nodded. “I believe you.”

He glanced over at her and smiled. “Why do you take my word?”

She shrugged. “I feel like I can trust you.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I feel like I can trust you.”

Warmth spread through her. “Thank you.”

He threw his arm over her shoulder. “I like you a lot, Gina.”