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Her Fresh Start Family

By Lorraine Beatty

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Chapter 1

A warm morning breeze blew a strand of Nina Johnson’s hair across her eyes. She pulled it away, her gaze riveted on the building in front of her. The two story brick structure had an abundance of windows and a recessed entry that allowed for shade to cover the lower windows. It looked fairly new. Had the cab driver made a mistake and left her at the wrong place? Pulling her phone from her purse she brought up the address. 557 E. Warren Ave. Her spirits sagged. She should never have agreed to come here. But then where else would she have gone? Kathryn Harvey was her closest friend. She’d been there for her since college, through the marriage and the dark days afterward. When she’d asked her to come down to Hastings, Mississippi and take over her psychology practice while she and her husband took advantage of a job in Spain for the next few months, she hadn’t been able to refuse. Her position as a corporate psychologist at Duncan and Stone had been eliminated. The call from her friend had been a blessing. Until now.
“Can I help you?”
Nina started at the sound of the deep voice close beside her. She stepped away, glancing at the man. Her gaze lifted until she found his startling green eyes lit with a smile. “No I’m fine. Thank you.”
“You looked lost.”
The man was inquisitive for a stranger. She moved away a little more. “No just surprised. The building is so small.” He frowned and she realized she might have insulted him so she hastened to explain. “My previous job was in a high rise. Twelfth floor.”
“Ah. Not too many high rises around here. But I assure you this building is big enough to house seven thriving businesses. I should know. One of them is mine.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bret Sinclair.”
With her hands full of her purse, briefcase and a satchel full of books she thought she might need, she could only stare back at him. She wasn’t used to strange men boldly introducing themselves. And shaking hands was even more pushy. He didn’t seem to be the least bit put off by her non response.
“Sorry. Let me help you.”
He took the briefcase from her grasp before she could react.
She had little choice but to introduce herself. “I’m Nina Johnson.” His large hand swallowed hers wrapping around her with solid strength that gave her an uneasy feeling. Yet she was strangely reluctant to pull her hand away. The stress of the trip down here to Hastings, Mississippi must be getting to her.
A big smile spread across the man’s olive toned skin revealing a row of straight white teeth and an angled jaw line that was very attractive.
“Kitty’s friend. She told us you’d be filling in for her. Nice to meet you. Let me show you to your office.”
She retrieved her briefcase from the man. “Kitty?”
“Yeah, we all call her that. Kathryn didn’t suit her personality.”
Nina mulled that over as she entered through the door the man held open. When had her friend taken the nickname? But then she’d allowed their friendship to fade over the last few years and she’d admittedly been surprised when Kathryn had asked her to take over her practice for a few months. Nina had closed her private practice years ago and gone into corporate psychology. She’d loved it. The job allowed her to help others while not getting personally involved with patients or become emotionally attached. Things she’d vowed to avoid.
The man, Mr. Sinclair, walked briskly toward the end of the hall and she had a hard time keeping up with him in her four inch heels. The floor was slippery too. He was chattering about something, but all she could think of was getting to Kathryn’s office and closing the door.
“Anita owns the Tranquility Spa. She does it all from hair and nails to facials and those crazy body wraps. You’ll have a full service business when you want to get dolled up.”
Was he suggesting she needed a makeover? She gritted her teeth and tried to keep up. Was he deliberately trying to be offensive? She’d been to a spa once and found it anything but relaxing. She glanced at her host and found him smiling still, his unusual green eyes held a twinkle as he looked down at her. She looked away, something about the man made her uncomfortable. No doubt his overly solicitous attitude was the source. This Sinclair guy was far too friendly for her liking.
He pushed the button beside the elevator door and waited while she entered first.
“You’re office is on the second floor.”
He continued his diatribe throwing out names and businesses as if she were interested in the other occupants of the building. Stealing a glance at her host she sorted through her people cubbies to find a good slot in which to file him away. On the surface, he seemed nice enough, but he was trying too hard to be helpful, and that usually meant he’d attempt to insert himself into her life. The last thing she wanted. When the elevator opened she stepped out briskly hoping he’d point out the right door and then go away.
“I’m right across the hall.”
Nina pulled her attention back to the man.. “Excuse me?”
His grin deepened exposing a dimple on the right side of his mouth that she’d failed to notice before. It was a nice dimple.
“At the moment the only businesses on the second floor are yours, mine, and David Ellis, the photographer. The last office is empty and back there is the break room.” He pointed to the door to his right. “That’s my company. Phase II. We help veterans with training and job placement, and whatever else they might need when they’re ready to reenter the workforce.”
Nina’s heart lurched. “Soldiers?”
“Yes. You have something against soldiers?”
He asked the question with a teasing tone in his voice. She cast a stern look in his direction. “Only when they fail to do their job and people die.” Clearly caught off guard he frowned and rubbed his forehead. The smile left his face, calling attention to the sharp angle of his jaw and the high cheekbones. The clear green eyes had darkened to a dull forest color.
Thankfully she spotted the plaque on the wall beside the door on the left. Kathryn Harvey Psychologist. Nina fished out the key Kathryn had sent, but before she could use it, Bret opened the door, and smiled down at her. “You have a key to this office?”
“To all of them. I own the building. Which makes me the landlord. But don’t worry I don’t enter anyone’s business unless it’s an emergency.”
“Is that what this is?”
He chuckled as if she’d said something funny. The sound sent a quick ping along her nerves. “No. I’m the welcome committee. I promised Kitty I’d help you settle in. When you get a free moment I’ll introduce you to the others. We all try and look out for one another.”
Nina stiffened her spine. She needed to squash this overly helpful greeting right now. “That’s very kind, but I don’t need any help and I doubt I’ll have much time for socializing.”
She squared her shoulders and marched into the small reception area, striving for an air of supreme confidence that would deter any further help. But she caught her heel in the overly plush carpet and tripped quickly regaining her balance. Heart racing, she placed her belongings on the desk and turned to face him. “Thank you for your help. I can take it from here.”
His hand was out as if he’d intended to steady her. “Those shoes are dangerous. You could hurt yourself.”
First a makeover, now her shoes? This was too much. She raised her chin. “Mr. Sinclair, I have a lot of studying to do before I see my first patient. I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t have time to visit?”
He stared at her for a moment as if offended by her rebuff. So be it. She was here to fill in for Kathryn and reacquaint herself with working one-on-one with private patients, not to get chummy with the natives.
“Okay then. If you need anything or have any questions I’m right over there.” He gestured to the office across the hall.
She grasped the door knob and started to close the door. The puzzlement in his eyes deepened and brought furrows to his brow, before he nodded and grinned.
“Sure thing.” He started out the door but stopped it from closing with his hand. She couldn’t help notice it was a very attractive hand with long blunt fingers at the end of a muscled forearm. She pressed her lips together. She was more stressed than she thought. The man was smiling again.
“Dottie will be here shortly. She knows everything there is to know about Kitty’s patients. Except the private stuff of course.”
Nina managed a stiff smile and pushed on the door again. Finally the man left and she leaned against the door taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. Silence. Alone. Now she could think and process.
As she turned around, she caught sight of him entering his office and he lifted his hand in a wave. To her dismay she could see a great deal of his offices through the row of glass windows. Great. Reaching up, she closed the blinds, restoring her sense of stability.
Her gaze took in the tastefully decorated area furnished with a reception desk, half dozen comfortable chairs, and a coffee table piled with magazines. To the right of the desk was a door which she guessed led to her friend’s office. To her surprise the room was very calming. Given Kathryn’s bubbly personality she’d expected a frilly feminine décor, but the room had been decorated in calm and soothing tones of green and eggshell, perfect for helping patients relax.
She was surprised at how much over stuffed furniture there was. A large sofa, two arm chairs and several smaller padded chairs scattered around the room. Kathryn’s desk sat at one end of the room in front of a wall of shelves holding countless books. A tall file cabinet stood nearby.
A quick check of the other doors revealed a small bathroom and a door leading to a tiny lunch room. The arrangement suited her. She could come to work and never have to leave the office until the end of the day. Perfect.
A folder with her name on it rested in the middle of the desk. She sat down and opened the cover and read the letter inside. Kathryn began by apologizing for not being there to help her get settled. The job in Spain had opened up sooner than expected and they’d had to leave. She explained that she had transferred the most critical patients to other qualified professionals. The rest she had assured her were mainly in need of weekly talk time and reassurance. She’d tried to make Nina’s transition back to private practice as painless as possible.
In addition, Kathryn had given her a schedule, a patient list and all the information she’d need to do her job. But the last item on the list sent her heart into her throat. Once a week she would be counseling a group of widow’s who were working through the changes in their lives as they started to move beyond the initial grieving period and transition into a normal life.
Nina touched her finger tips to her lips. No. she couldn’t possibly counsel widows. She was a widow and she’d avoided dealing with her loss for the last several years. It’s why she’d closed her private practice and gone to work for Duncan. Her job consisted of interviewing potential employees and assigning them to the best positions. It was all superficial and didn’t require her to become emotionally involved.
But it was the P.S. at the end that sent a new rush of anxiety through her veins. “I left my car parked behind the building and the keys are in the drawer. I know you probably won’t use them, but just in case you do.” Nina’s throat closed up. Why would Kathryn think for one moment she would use those keys? The thought of getting behind the wheel of a car turned her blood to ice. At least that was one area she didn’t have to worry about. But how was she going to deal with a group of widows needing guidance and direction when she had nothing whatsoever to offer them?

##
Bret retreated into his office taking a seat in his worn leather chair and swinging it around so he could stare out the window. He could see the historic Saint John’s church steeple from here and the sight normally grounded him. But at the moment his mind was churning with confusion. Nina Johnson wasn’t what he’d expected. Kitty had described her friend as sweet and compassionate, a born nurturer with a heart for others. Kitty had mentioned that Nina had experienced great sadness in her life, but she hadn’t elaborated. Kitty would never reveal personal information about her patients or her friends.
But the woman in her office now was cool, distant and might as well have worn a sign that read stay away. Yet Bret had seen her true emotions reflected in her blue eyes. They’d been filled with anxiety as she’d stared at the building before she’d quickly masked it behind her cool demeanor. Later he’d seen regret and anger dart through her eyes when he’d explained about his company. Her comment about soldiers didn’t set well either.
Kitty’s depiction of Nina Johnson didn’t match the exterior of the woman either. Without those ridiculous high heels she probably stood about five foot four with a slender build. Her rigid posture and the gray suit and white blouse she wore did little to accentuate her bright blue eyes or her rich chestnut hair which she wore clipped back behind her ears.
Yet her eyes revealed something different. He suspected her prim image was a shield for her deep vulnerability. He’d seen similar behavior in the veterans he worked with. Many of them chose to stuff their feelings and fears instead of dealing with them. He and Kitty used to tease each other that he provided the external tools with his job placement and training programs, and she provided the internal tools by showing them how to confront their fears and overcome them.
He spun in his chair and glanced toward Kitty’s office. He couldn’t see it from here, but he was familiar with the space and he was having a hard time seeing Nina fitting in. Kitty was easy going, fun loving and had a way of making everyone feel special. She was also a strong supporter of his goal to provide help and assistance for the soldiers. If Nina had issues with veterans she might find herself in a difficult situation. And would Kitty’s replacement be able to connect with her new patients? He hoped so. He knew how hard Kitty worked to help her clients. He hoped Nina wouldn’t inadvertently set them back.
Not his concern. Still, he’d promised Kitty he’d look after her friend, and something about the new therapist drew him. Those big blue eyes in the pretty oval face had lodged into his mind, and the sweet flowery scent she wore still lingered in his nostrils but was at odds with her closed off attitude. She reminded him of his little Olivia. At eight she was smart and funny, but away from the family she was painfully shy. It took time for her to assess the situation before she’d step into the action. Maybe all Miss Nina needed was the same amount of space and a little time to figure out her new environment.
And maybe he could help her along. For the sake of her patients of course and Kitty’s reputation. He had a sudden desire to see the lady with her hair down. Figuratively speaking.
Rapid tapping on his door broke into his thoughts. His friend and business partner, Alan McKay strolled in, sitting on the edge of the desk.
“So I hear the new lady is here. Is she pretty? Single? Looking for a handsome guy to show her around?”
If Alan was half as attractive as he thought he was he’d be dangerous. “She’s attractive in a business kind of way.” He wasn’t about to give his friend any ammunition by telling him about the odd attraction he’d felt when he saw her standing in front of the building. She’d looked like a little girl who’d lost her way. When he’d looked into her eyes, he’d realized she was a woman fighting to get through the next moment without losing it. The same way he was. The realization rocked him. Was that how people saw him, dull, scared, keeping a tight rein on his emotions, afraid to let his heart free?
He put on a good show. He was friendly, and jovial, but inside he was battling to hold it together. So what was Nina Johnson’s story?
“I’m going to go over there and say welcome.”
Bret’s protective instincts kicked in. “Alan I don’t think that’s such a good idea. It’s her first day and she seemed really nervous. Give her some time to settle in before you go throwing your charm around.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. But be sure and invite her to the monthly birthday party tomorrow. Then we can all meet her and welcome her into the family.”
“I will, but I don’t think she’s the sociable type. She might not want to be buddies with the other business owners.” The idea saddened him. He had a feeling Nina was more comfortable by herself. Kitty had spent much of her free time visiting the other tenants. He had a feeling getting Nina to join the fun would be a tough job. A surge of determination grew in his mind. He wanted her to be part of the group as well. He wouldn’t stop until he knew her story and had her firmly integrated into their family. He’d been the outsider once and the people here had given him back the sense of belonging he’d lost when his wife walked out.
Alan leaned forward with a grin. “So do I detect some interest on your part? Did the lady capture your attention?”
Bret shook his head and turned his attention to the computer screen. “I have no desire to get involved with anyone.”
“Dude, you need to get your nose out of this job and start noticing women again.”
“You’re the ladies’ man around here. Not me. My two little girls are the only women I need in my life.”
“Bret, old buddy. I’ve known you since we were on the football team in high school and I know you’re a family man to the core. You don’t do well single. You’re happiest when you’re part of a couple. Married.”
Bret punched the enter key with more force than necessary. His friend was right but he wasn’t going to risk his heart again or those of his little girls. “I tried that remember. It didn’t work out. Dad and I are doing okay raising the girls.” Alan exhaled an exasperated breath. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation.
“Don’t you think you deserve another chance? Maybe with the right woman things would be different.”
“And maybe they wouldn’t.”
“One of these days you’re going to have to let go of those black bags of guilt you’re still carrying around and allow yourself to be happy again. Lay it at the cross man. Lay it at the cross.
I got to go. I got to see a man about a donation.”
Alan’s uninhibited personality was a huge asset to Phase II. He had a way of loosening purse strings and opening wallets and getting donations that kept the business afloat. “Hope it’s a big one.” While they charged for many of their services the donations allowed them to keep the cost of classes and training manageable for the veterans on tight budgets. Their main goal was to acquire a government contract that would cover expenses on a permanent basis. So far no luck in that department, but he felt sure Alan’s bulldog determination and his attention to detail would get them a contract this time around. “How’s it going on that contract application?”
“Good but I want to make sure I cross every “T” and dot every “I” before I submit it. How about you? How’s the veteran’s event coming along?”
“I have a Chamber of Commerce meeting tomorrow. I’m not hopeful of them planning anything different this year.”
“You mean like throwing up a few tents and handing out flyers? That didn’t generate much interest last year. We need publicity. Radio, TV word of mouth and we need to make it a fun family day.”
“I agree. Now we just need to convince the members to let go of some money to make it happen.”
Bret was relieved when Alan left the office. His friend meant well, but he didn’t fully understand the heavy burden he carried deep inside. He’d tried to reconcile his failures, but nothing had eased his guilt in the last three years and he doubted anything ever would. All he could do was try to make up for it with his company and help as many veterans as possible.
No time to think of that now. He had a class to prepare for. Six vets had signed up for computer classes this afternoon and he hadn’t even prepared the class room.
He stood and walked through the office, his gaze darting to the front door and the office across the hall. How was Nina getting along? Hopefully her secretary, Dottie, would ease her transition, but something told him Nina had more than just nerves over a new position to contend with. He had a gut feeling that her issues ran as deep as his.

##
Nina leaned back in her chair – Kathryn’s chair – and closed her eyes. Most of her earlier anxiety had faded in the soothing privacy of the office. She discovered a pod coffee maker and made herself a cup. The flavored brew settled her nerves. All she needed now was cup of confidence to go along with it. Her landlord had more than his share of confidence. Normally that was an indication that he was well-adjusted, but he’d overdone the welcome as far as she was concerned. It probably had something to do with his good looks. He knew he was handsome and behaved accordingly.
She had to admit he had a nice smile, and warm friendly eyes. His close cropped brown hair was long enough to hint at a tendency to wave. He’d been blessed with a tall well sculpted physique and a set of broad sturdy shoulders.
What was she doing? She set her cup down and shoved her thoughts of Bret Sinclair aside. She had no time to think about anything but her reason for being here. Her goal was to come to the office, meet with her patients, help them in any way she could and keep them on track until Kathryn and her family returned home. When she wasn’t at the office she would keep to herself. Alone. Quiet. Avoiding the past.
Carrying her cup out to the reception area she peeked out into the corridor separating the various offices. Sinclair had said there were seven businesses in the building and he’d seemed eager to introduce her to the owners. She’d have to make sure she was too busy to spend time shooting the breeze with the other tenants. Hopefully they would be too occupied with their own businesses to pay attention to her.
Movement across the hall pulled her attention. The offices of Phase II took up the whole west side of the second level. Wide windows on either side of the main entry afforded a clear view of the reception area. A young woman sat at the desk, while people moved back and forth. She wondered about his business. What did he do for veterans? Would they be coming and going all day? The thought twisted a small spot under her breastbone. She wouldn’t think about that.
She froze when Bret came into sight. He spoke with the woman at the desk then, as if sensing her staring, rotated and looked directly at her and smiled. Warmth slowly spread through her body. She told herself it was embarrassment at being caught snooping, but she knew it was more than that. The warmth in his green eyes could be felt through the glass. She gave a slight nod and hurriedly turned away.
She didn’t want to give the man any ideas. As she started back to her office she heard the office door swish open. Was he coming to talk to her again? Quickly she formed a plausible excuse to turn him away, but when she looked over her shoulder it wasn’t Bret, but a middle-aged woman with a bright smile, perfectly coiffed light brown hair and glasses on a chain hanging around her neck.
“Hello there. I’m Dottie Patterson. Welcome to Hastings. I’m so excited to have you here. Kitty thinks the world of you.”
The woman’s sincere greeting and her easy manner instantly calmed Nina’s nervousness. “Glad to meet you Dottie. Kathryn told me you had the answers for all my questions.”
“Ha. Sounds like her.” Dottie piled her purse and several bags onto the desk top. “No. I only have a few answers, but I do know where all the bodies are buried.” She waved her hand. “Just joking. I will help you with everything I can. I’m familiar with her schedule and most of her patients, though of course not their issues, but I know enough to detect when they really need to see her or when they just need a kind word.”
The idea of having a filter between herself and her patients was reassuring. “You must have worked for her a long time?”
“Since her boys were babies. Course I only work three days a week now. Monday through Wednesdays till noon. Hubby is retired and I want to spend as much time together as we can.”
“Kathryn doesn’t have a full load of patients?”
“She used to, but a year ago she decided she needed to spend more time with her family so she started pulling back. Now she sees patients early in the week, Thursday is for emergencies or new patients, and Friday she plays hooky.”
“Sounds like a nice job, but I prefer to be busy. I don’t do well with time on my hands.”
“I hope you don’t go stir crazy here then. We aren’t very busy. Kitty has transferred her most serious patients to other qualified doctors. You’ll be working mainly with the run of the mill neurosis and phobias.”
“I wasn’t aware there were any of those.”
Dottie chuckled. “Sorry. You know what I mean. At any rate. I’ll help you all I can and of course you’re welcome to take on any new patients if you like. In your spare time you can discover Hastings. It’s a very historic town. We have dozens of antebellum homes, a cemetery dating back to the settling of this area, and several notable museums.”
Dottie turned on the computer then planted her hands on her hips. “Did you read the letter Kitty left?”
“Yes. It all seemed pretty simple.”
“Good. The only really important item is the Widow’s Walk Club. That’s every Tuesday night at 6:30.”
Nina’s palms began to sweat the one thing she wished she could avoid. “I’m afraid I haven’t had much experience in group therapy. I’m more comfortable with one-on-one sessions.”
“Oh don’t worry about that. These ladies have been meeting for years now. They’ve been through it all together. All you have to do is listen and make sure they’re being honest with themselves.”
“Any chance we could suspend the group until Kathryn returns?”
Dottie raised her head and frowned. “Goodness no. Those women depend on that weekly meeting. For a couple of them it’s all that’s keeping them grounded.”
Dottie must have seen her alarm. She came and gave her shoulders a warm squeeze. “Don’t worry. The women are all sweet as pie and they’ll bring you up to speed. They are looking forward to meeting you.”
“Good.”
“Well now, let’s get you settled in.”
The next few hours were spent going over everything with Dottie. They sorted the patient files to coordinate with each appointment so Nina could read them before they met. The only bump in the road was the patient scheduled for this afternoon. Dottie had tried to reschedule but was unable. Nina wasn’t prepared to counsel someone this soon but she had no choice. She’d come here to shake herself out of her rut so jumping in with both feet might be a good thing.
Thankfully the patient called and cancelled at the last minute. All she wanted to do now was get to her hotel, take a long bath, and study the files for the next day. She had five appointments during the day, and the Widow’s Walk group tomorrow evening. It was going to be a long day.
After placing a call for a cab, Nina gathered her belongs and headed downstairs. She stepped out the front door of the building and into the heat. It must be eighty-five degrees, much too hot for a wool suit. Maybe she’d shed the jacket tomorrow. Late March in Chicago was still cold, damp, and snowy. Here in southern Mississippi the sun shone and the flowers were blooming. It was a nice surprise, but she prayed there wouldn’t be too many more. She liked things predictable, controlled. Her fist day had been anything but.
Glancing at her watch then up the street, she willed the cab to arrive. She was tired, cranky, and hot, and all she wanted to do was get to her hotel room and shut out the world and everyone in it.
Bret Sinclair’s grin flashed through her mind. He was someone she definitely wanted to block out.

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