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“That’s right. Garrett, Kellan, and I were all for the idea, but when it comes down to it, Lucas is the most qualified of the three of us to run the program. Who better to understand the challenges some of the vets will be facing than someone with a PT degree and a background in adaptive sports? Each of us will be using our own talents to help the program succeed, but Lucas is still the mortar to our bricks. Without him, I’m not sure where the program stands.”
“So even if the Wakefields sell you the land, the program might not happen if Lucas is found guilty?”
“It’s not about the land at this point, even though Lucas would say otherwise. It’s whether he will be a free man. And Robert and Tuuli know that. I wouldn’t be surprised if the sale of the land does go through that there’s a provision in the contract that will make it void if Lucas is found guilty. They know he’s the force behind the program.”
So everything really does come down to the trial. Lucas’s freedom. His long-term goals. Our marriage. Our ability to grow old together. All of it is dependent on the jury’s decision.
Knowing this feels like a kick to the solar plexus. And I just want to…want to…knee someone where it will hurt. What the hell did Lucas do to deserve this?
We drive to the woman’s house where I’m picking up my order of handcrafted picture frames. After that, we go to the mall so I can pick up a few other items I need for the subscription boxes.
“There’s just one more place I want to visit before we leave.” The real reason I wanted Troy with me. I direct him to the extended care center near the hospital. “Lucas told me that the Veterans Center hires temporary staff through this place. Have you or your brothers looked into his replacement, Jodi, yet?”
“I’ve met her once there, but I’m guessing that’s not what you mean.”
“You’re right. I’m just curious why she was picked to replace him. Her boyfriend lives in Maple Ridge, so that’s her motive for wanting the job.”
“Who’s her boyfriend?”
I open the truck door and jump down. “I have no idea. Some guy named Rick.”
Troy flashes me an amused glance. “That doesn’t exactly narrow things down, even for a small town.”
“I know, but it’s the best I’ve got.”
We walk up the path to the glass doors and enter the building. Inside, a light disinfectant odor lingers in the air, and I wrinkle my nose. This isn’t a hospital, but it has the smell and feel of one. Death and pain and forgotten memories haunt the sterile hallways.
Troy and I walk to the front desk, and I smile at the receptionist, a blond girl who could be in her mid-twenties. “Hi, I was wondering if you can help me. Do you know if the extended care center places physical therapists in rural locations, like, for example, Maple Ridge?” I know the answer to this, but I want to see how much she knows about the inner workings of the place.
“Er, I have no idea. I can direct you to the rehabilitation unit. They might be able to help you.”
She tells us how to get there, and we head down the brightly lit hallway toward another reception desk. My heels click lightly on the polished floor.
“I need you to flirt with the next receptionist,” I say to Troy.
“Flirt?”
“You know, that thing you and your brothers do that turn women all starry-eyed. Especially that sexy smile the four of you’ve perfected.”
A wry smile flickers on his face, one part charm, two parts patting me on the head like I’m his little sister. “I know what flirting is. But why do I need to flirt with the receptionist?”
“You’ll see.”
This time when I ask the next receptionist the question, Troy smiles at her. She stares at him, momentarily dazed—which is what I’d counted on.
Troy, Lucas, Kellan, and Garrett are all hot. A smile from one of them is like truth serum. Women are willing to divulge all their secrets. It’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Even when they were kids, one of those smiles could easily get them out of all kinds of trouble. It had been the same for Aiden, too. Grannies were the most susceptible to their smiles back then.
Now that the four brothers are adults, Troy’s smile seems to be the most potent. Which is what I was counting on when I invited him on this mission.
I clear my throat. That’s enough to snap her out of whatever spell she’s under.
“Yes,” she says, her attention still on Troy. “We aren’t responsible for all the centers, but we do have contracts with some of them.”
“If one of them needs a temporary replacement because of an extended leave of absence, you can assist them with that?” I ask.
“That’s right.”
“Is the Maple Ridge Veterans Center part of that list?” Troy’s voice is deep and rumbly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she just came in her panties.
