Winthrop was definitely a charmer. But he didnât make her heart race or her pulse beat fasterânot the way Michael did.
âBehave yourself, Bradley. You were away on one of your little sailing adventures when Amanda arrived. Otherwise, youâd have met her sooner.â
âIf you had told me your old school friend had such a beautiful daughter, I would have cut my trip short and come home.â
âIgnore him, Amanda. Instead of taking over his fatherâs business, sometimes I think Bradley should have gone on the stage.â
âIâm sure he would have done quite well,â Amanda said, grinning at Bradleyâs pained expression.
âAnyway, Iâm ashamed to admit that I havenât called this dear child in months to even see how sheâs been getting along. When you and I talked last, I believe you said you were taking some sort of classes.â
âYes. Refresher courses. At the University of New Orleans. Iâm hoping to take the state exam this fall and get my license to practice in Louisiana.â
âPractice?â Bradley asked. âAre you a doctor?â
âA child psychologist,â Amanda explained.
âAmanda worked for a very reputable firm in Boston before her marriage,â Martha informed her nephew.
âYouâre married?â Bradley asked, his show of disappointment almost comical.
âDivorced,â Amanda said, hating the failure the word implied.
Bradley brightened. âIn that case, I hope youâre planning to stay in New Orleans for a while.â
âI am, provided I can get on with one of the clinics.â
âMaybe Aunt Martha can help. She sits on a number of the hospital boards. Donât you, Aunt Martha?â
âBradleyâs right, dear. And of course, Iâd be glad to send a letter of recommendation for you,â Martha added. âDo you have a particular clinic in mind?â
âNot at the moment.â Although she appreciated the offer, Amanda didnât want any favors. That had been part of the reason sheâd come to New Orleans. Here she was simply Amanda Bennett, not Ambassador Bennettâs daughter or somebody importantâs wife. And any job she got was going to be on her own merit, Amanda vowed.
âWell, let me know if I can help. Iâd be happy to put in a word for you,â Martha said.
âThanks. Iâll keep that in mind. But right now, Iâm concentrating on getting through the next four weeks of classes. Then Iâll have to wait until the fall to take the exam.â
Bradley grimaced. âI certainly donât envy you. Iâm sure youâll be glad to get all that behind you and start working again.â
âYes, I will. But, actually, I am working now. With a group of children at Saint Margaretâs. Of course, itâs only in a volunteer capacity, but I enjoy it.â
âSaint Margaretâs.â Martha took a sip of her wine. She drew her brows together. âI donât seem to recall any Saint Margaretâs clinic or hospital. Where is this place located?â
âItâs uptown. But itâs not a clinic or a hospital. Itâs a Catholic grade school. Iâve been doing some counseling there a few afternoons a week.â
Marthaâs face paled. âThe little school off of State Street?â
âYes. Thatâs it.â
Marthaâs hand shook slightly as she set her wineglass down on the table. âDo you work with all of the children there?â
âNo,â Amanda responded, puzzled. âJust the ones whose parents or teachers have recommended them for counseling.â
âYou mean, the problem kids,â Bradley said, scorn in his voice.
âI wouldnât call them âproblem kidsâ,â Amanda informed him, frowning. She wondered then how she could have thought him charming. âSometimes the children are just afraid or they might be having trouble
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