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“Well, I sure don’t want the works. That includes a shave, doesn’t it?” I ask, sharply.

“Chill, I have to ask. Some people like a change now and then, which is all good for business,” Thorn grins at me through the mirror.

“Not for me right now, thanks. I have enough changes going on in my life.” I grin back at him. Andy finishes the guy in the next chair, and there’s just the three of us left in the shop.

“Any progress on the Jamie front? I was surprised when I heard that you two had gone your separate ways.” His genuine tone of concern stopped me from living up to my name and getting myself into a fury.

“We didn’t go our separate ways, Thorn, I blew it. I couldn’t see the wood for the trees when it came to having a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t stop and think. If I had, I would’ve listened to my heart and not my head.”

“What was the difference, if you don’t mind my asking?” Thorn gives me a questioning look along with his question.

“My head told me she was too good for me. My heart knew she was the one. I know now that my head was basing its decision on past shit. Shit that I should have let go of years ago. Stuff that had no place in my life anymore. My heart knew it was onto a good thing, and that was all that mattered. I can’t begin to tell you how I wish this had all turned out differently.” Shaking my head has him stop what he is doing for a moment, then he continues snipping. “I can’t tell you how to run your life, Thorn, but if you want to take anything from my shitshow of a life right now, I’d say this. Think long and hard about what Ghost has told you. Stop concentrating on those years you were alone. Look at everything you have right now and then listen to what your head and heart are saying. I guarantee you’ll come to the right decision for you.”

“We’ve just spent a week together and I don’t think I heard a word he said. All I did, Fury, was shut him down. He was losing it with me when we came home, and thinking about what you’ve just said, I can understand why. You should be a relationship counselor,” Thorn says with conviction.

I burst out laughing and nearly lose an ear in the process. “Oh, hell yeah. I can just see that as an advertisement. Relationship guidance from a man who’s never had a serious relationship, lost his mother at an early age. His father was a drunk, abusive asshole who hasn’t been in his life for years. I’ll have clients flocking to me for advice in their hundreds.”

“Well, you’d have to work on how you market your brand if you put it that way,” Thorn laughs along with me.

I continue the conversation. “You know something else? I saw a guy today driving an old junker. I thought he was familiar, but it’s probably a déjà vu thing. He could’ve been my father if he hadn’t had such long hair and a beard. He may have been a drunk asshole, but he always hid it well by being smart and presentable.”

Thorn hums before speaking again. “I’m glad you came in for a tidy-up today. Our talk has given me a different perspective on my father. Maybe I should give him a call and see if he wants to give me a second chance this time. I think I’d like that.”

“You go for it, kiddo. I wish mine was as simple as a phone call.” We shake hands and it feels good. I can’t remember the last time I shook hands with anyone.

“We’ll see how my call works out before I throw a party, but if there’s anything I can do, Fury, you only have to ask.” Leaving Thorn sweeping my trimmings from the floor, I head back to the SUV.

At this time of day, there’s only one destination left for me. Back to the clubhouse. If they all want to carry on with their digs and comments, let ‘em have at it. I feel pretty good compared to how I’ve been lately. Maybe I’ll surprise them all and just sit there grinning as I imagine the shiny brass plaque on my office door…Fury, Relationship Advisor.

Chapter 12

*~* Jamie *~*

“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to work I go,” singing that song aloud, I have to rethink my happy thoughts. It brings back memories from when I was a kid and my dad would sing that to me before he left for work. Only he had his own words.

“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to work I go, with a bucket and spade, and a hand grenade. Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho.”

Good grief, I can’t walk into work singing that. They’d say I was still suffering from my concussion and ban me for another three days! Well, Molly would for sure.

I can’t wait to be back and doing something productive again. It feels like months since I was last at the practice. I know everyone will have done everything needed and probably gone the extra mile to ensure I don’t walk into any problems, but I can’t help feeling a little apprehensive. After all, I haven’t left my business in anyone’s hands but my own before, and as much as I trust them all, it’s still a worry.

I examine all my aches and bruises when I get out of the shower, and I feel surprisingly good about myself. I don’t hurt like I have been, and I bet that’s all my hormones being released because I’m on cloud nine this morning. My happy levels are sky high and I’m walking in the air, like that snowman in the cartoon movie. “We’re walking in the air, we’re floating in the moonlit sky.” Oh, wow, my mind is certainly in musical mode. Now I can’t get that song out of my mind.

Eating breakfast and drinking my second coffee of the day, I wonder if Molly will let me do a full day’s work on my first day back. I doubt she will. I wouldn’t if I were her and it was someone else’s welfare I was looking out for. My normal day would likely be, open up at eight and lock the doors at six. It’s past eight already, so nine to five could be on the cards, if I behave and don’t get myself in trouble with the boss.

Now that I’ve loaded the dishwasher which I’ll not switch on until after I’m home later, and have had something for my evening meal, I’m ready to go. Grabbing my jacket, I throw it over my arm, snatch up my purse and keys, and yes, I’m taking my truck. I may get to do a couple of house calls if she’s outside in the lot, handy for a quick getaway. Some of the older patients can’t always get to the practice even if they aren’t suffering from anything serious.

A brief flash of visiting Mr. Phillips rolls through my mind, but it’s nothing scary or worrying. It doesn’t tell me anything I haven’t already remembered about that day, either.

“Working nine to five, what a way to make a living,” I softly sing as I lock the door. I turn toward my truck when a quiet voice beside me makes me jump and squeal.

“You are most certainly not working nine to five, young lady. I knew you’d try to slink into work and do a full shift straight off the bat.” Molly scowls at me, and I feel like a schoolgirl trying to play hooky getting caught by one of her teachers. She sang the words working nine to five and I use that to try to deflect her train of thought.

“What a way to make a living. Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving…Jump in with me, girl…They just use your mind…”

“Don’t think you’ll get out of it that easily. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”

“Not your first rodeo, huh?” I try to speak in an old cowboy western voice, but even I have to cringe at myself.