The Aries Libra Connection (Opposites In Love Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

response. Nan might be right. A complaint to the Labor Board might be the only way to go. Somehow, that seemed like an admission of failure to her.
    She crushed the container and tossed it in the trash. Would Eric know anything? Maybe she… She shook her head. She couldn’t ask him or even see him again. Their date last week had been a mistake and had filled her with yearning and grief.
    “Would Chuck want you to lead a nun’s life?” Megan had voiced a dozen variations on the theme.
    Jenessa had no idea what her husband would have wanted. There’d been no time for that kind of discussion. She had known him forever, but they had been strangers.
    With a groan, she pushed away from the counter and strode to the desk. The middle-aged unit secretary motioned. Her fingers fluttered furiously. What minor problem had baffled Mrs. Sikes? The woman’s usefulness for the crisis centered ICU bordered on zero.
    “Mrs. Robertson, Ms. Wallace just called.” The woman’s nasal voice rose to an ear-piercing pitch. “There’s been a sick call for nights. Someone has to stay until eleven. You tell them. They’ll yell at me.”
    The whine in Mrs. Sikes voice made Jenessa’s head ache. “Why doesn’t Bev handle this? It’s her job.”
    “She left at noon to take some comp time.”
    Or to avoid an unpleasant duty. Five minutes later, Jenessa assembled her co-workers at the desk. “Sick call for tonight. Someone has to stay until eleven.”
    A panicked look crossed Pam’s face. “Again? Wonder who’s using their sick time before they resign?”
    Claire twisted a strand of brassy blonde hair around her finger. “Aren’t I the lucky one? I worked ‘til eleven last night.”
    “I’m doing an extra tomorrow.” Rachel rested a plump thigh against the desk. “If they give me tomorrow off, I’ll stay.”
    Jenessa reached for the over-time book. “Let’s see who’s up.”
    “Don’t bother.” Pam’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s me. What am I going to do with my kids? My sitter refuses to stay after eight thirty and I can’t afford to lose her.”
    “I’ll stay.” The words were out before Jenessa realized she’d decided to volunteer. As a single mother, Pam should be exempt.
    “Bless you...Wait a minute. Aren’t you and Megan going to Shadow Lake after work?”
    Jenessa nodded. “No problem. If she doesn’t want to wait, she can go up with her brother.”
    “I hate this place,” Rachel said. “Guess the float pool’s signed with X-tra Hands.”
    “What’s that?” Jenessa asked.
    “Where have you been?” Claire stood with her hands on her hips. “It’s a staffing agency.”
    “They run a mini-van to the city,” Pam said. “If they had child care, I’d sign on in a minute.”
    Was the staffing agency responsible for the recent spate of resignations? Even with a decent contract, could the hospital compete? She reached for the phone and called Megan’s unit.
    “Jen, what’s up?”
    “Can you hitch a ride with Alex?”
    “Sure. Are you backing out again? You’ve got to face being there some time.”
    “I’ll be there. I’m working until eleven. Sick call.”
    “Then I’ll see you in the morning. You can help me with Johnny while my brother is golfing.”
    Jenessa laughed. “You mean run after your nephew while you work on your tan. Bring sandwiches. I’ll bring the drinks.”
    By eleven, Jenessa felt drained. As she trudged across the street, she considered waiting until morning. Inside the apartment, she tripped over her duffel. A note from Megan was pinned to the strap.
    “Packed what I thought you’d need. The beach at nine. The kid and I will be waiting. Don’t chicken out.”
    She lifted the duffel and headed for the car. Megan was right. Since the night of Chuck’s accident, she’d avoided the lake. The time to face her ghosts had come.
    In the parking lot, she tossed the duffel behind the seat of her red sports car. After sucking in a deep breath, she backed from the