His girlfriend was the sweetest thing in the world, though.
Constance was a photographer and worked at the wildlife rehab facility just outside of Bear Pass.
She was sunshine to Odin’s cloudy day.
“You want a job?”
I blinked. “Um, what?”
“Odin’s taking over Dr. Pendelton’s practice,” Constance explained. “He doesn’t like working with incompetent people, and that’s how he feels about Dr. Pendelton’s entire staff. He’s trying to find people that won’t bother the shit out of him.”
My lips twitched. “I can’t promise that I won’t bother the shit out of you.”
“At least you’d be aware that you could bother the shit out of me,” he grumbled. “I also asked Creed’s sister, Bernice, to come in. I’m still keeping my job with the medical examiner’s office. Bernice is a nurse practitioner. Between the three of us, I think we could putz around until we have it all figured out. Hire more staff as needed.”
I thought about the farmer who wouldn’t have a doctor if it weren’t for him. Then I thought about how much I hated the ER.
“What’s the pay?” I found myself asking. “And the hours?”
“Competitive with what the hospital pays,” Odin answered.
“I’m contracted out as a travel nurse, so I doubt that you can pay me that,” I admitted. “But I’d be willing to take a pay cut to stay.”
Anywhere Gentry was, I’d be, too.
This was the first time in years that I’d felt completely safe, and that had everything to do with Gentry.
I wouldn’t leave him.
The safety was worth it.
I could sleep. I could go to the store. I could go to work.
Never once did I worry that I would die.
“Then less than what you’d get paid travel nursing, and about the same as you’d get paid if you worked at the hospital,” he said. “I want permanent staff. So it’ll be a competitive pay with yearly raises. Plus, you’re Gentry’s. It’s nice to have family around.”
Family.
Gentry’s.
Was that what I was?
I didn’t feel like I was.
I felt like I was the reason he didn’t have a family…
“When would you need me to start?” I wondered.
“As soon as possible.” He took a sip of his beer. “When does your contract end with the hospital?”
“Four days,” I answered. “You saved me from having to apply at the hospital that I hate.”
If I would even get that job after today…
“Then it all works out.” He paused. “Can’t bring that dog, though. Constance has a little girl. I can’t risk it.”
I nodded. “He’s getting better, but he’s not there yet. He may never be there. I wouldn’t bring him around adults, let alone children.”