Road to Passion by Piper Davenport Page B

always canceled tours if there was a
death... it never looked good for a potential client to check out the facility
after losing a patient.
    She shook her head. “In about an
hour. The coroner’s just finishing up.”
    “Of course. Not a problem.” I
grimaced. “I actually have something to speak with you about.”
    “What’s up?”
    “I’m leaving.” I set my
resignation letter in front of her. “Here’s my two week notice.”
    She sighed. “Please tell me it’s
because of something fabulous.”
    I smiled. I adored my boss, but
not quite enough to stay. “I wrote a book and it’s kind of taking off.”
    “Shut up. You did?” She sat back.
“Please tell me it’s something sexy.”
    I laughed. “Um, yeah, it is
actually, but I honestly didn’t expect you’d read that.”
    “Oh, honey, I love a good
romance. Did you write it under your name?”
    I shook my head. “No, I wanted a
little anonymity. I wrote it under D.W. Foxblood.”
    “Forbidden Pleasures?” she
whispered.
    I gasped. “Yes. Did you read it?”
    “Hell, yeah I did. I loved it.
That’s you?”
    I giggled. “Yes, it’s me.”
    “Are you going to write another
one?” she asked. “Please tell me you’re going to write Miller’s book.”
    “I hope to. I’ve kind of started
the second in the series, but haven’t had a whole lot of time lately. And yes,
it’s Miller’s book.”
    “Well, honey, you get right on
that! I’ll buy whatever you write.”
    “Thanks, Eleanor. I appreciate
it. Do you think I could still come back, maybe once a week? I don’t think I
can go cold turkey on my checkers game with Mr. Akerman.”
    “You’re welcome anytime and you
know how much we love our volunteers.”
    I smiled. “That’s very true.”
    A knock came at the open door and
I craned my head to see Mike, one of the orderlies. “Coroner’s done. Just needs
you to sign.”
    “Thanks, Mike.” Eleanor rose to
her feet. “Don’t change until after the tour, if you don’t mind, Darien. You
know the drill.”
    I smiled. “No problem.”
    Eleanor followed Mike down the
hall and I pulled out my phone. I had a reprieve of sorts, so fired off a quick
text to Mack. He’d called me back the night before, but I was so tired, we’d
barely gotten to talk for ten minutes before I had to sleep. I missed him and I
wouldn’t see him tonight because it was “Church,” the club’s weekly meeting.
    I was surprised when my phone
rang just as I pressed send on my text. I smiled. “Hi, honey.”
    “Hey,” Mack said.
    “I’m surprised you’re awake.”
    He chuckled. “Had no one to keep
me up all night.”
    “Oh, you’re funny,” I retorted.
    “Feel like stayin’ at my place
tonight? I’ll drop you into work tomorrow.”
    “That sounds amazing. You don’t
mind?”
    “No. Miss you, baby.”
    I smiled again. “Miss you too.
Want me to come down right after work, or meet you after church?”
    “Church got pushed back an hour,
so come here after work and we can eat, then I’ll go.”
    “Perfect. Just have to drop by
home and grab the dog and then I’ll be there.”
    “Sounds good, honey. I’ll see you
then.”
    “Love you,” I said.
    “Love you too.” Mack hung up and
I slipped my phone into my pocket.
    I headed out to the front and let
the receptionist know I’d be in the day room and that I was expecting a
potential client.
    I was pleasantly surprised to
find Mr. Akerman in the day room and he waved me over to the Checkers board.
“Let me beat you, honeygirl.”
    He’d been so sick lately and we’d
all been sure it wouldn’t be long before he passed away, but today he appeared
to be rallying.
    I giggled and sat across from him.
“You think you can?”
    “I’m sure gonna try.”
    “You’re on.”
    We managed four games (three of
which he “won”) before I was called up for the tour. “I’ll try and come back in
a bit, Mr. Akerman.”
    “Okay, honeygirl. I’ll be
waitin’.”
    I smiled and made my way to