Sophie's Path by Catherine Lanigan Page B

not even doing that much.” Fear grabbed her by the knees and threatened to take her down.
    â€œI’d say raising money for them to continue is grounds enough. I’m not saying you should stay off the phones or stop putting up posters, but I’d be, well, more discreet.”
    Sophie’s shoulders slumped. She felt deflated. “I see.”
    He put his hand on her shoulder. “Look, Sophie. It’s not just Emory. I know you. You don’t do anything in half measures. You’re already starting to seem tired. I can see how much you love working in the ER. So do I. But with the Alliance on top of that, you could be in danger of spreading yourself too thin. Don’t let that happen.”
    â€œI’ll be okay,” she tried to assure him, but she saw the wariness in his eyes.
    â€œI’m just trying to warn you. That’s all. Forewarned is forearmed. Okay? And you and I never had this conversation. What you do on your free time is no concern of mine. By the way, I have an envelope with my own donation in my office. Anonymous. Give it to Eleanor. ’Kay?”
    Sophie felt her smile rise from her toes. Her chest inflated. “Thank you, Doctor.”
    â€œYou bet,” he said and winked. She’d escaped the extracurricular police.
    * * *
    J ACK PEELED OFF the plastic lid from the cappuccino that Maddie Barzonni had made for him and chuckled. Today she’d drawn a sunflower in the thick foam because he’d told her yesterday that sunflowers were his favorite summer bloom. He shook his head and walked toward Carter and Associates’ massive window wall, which overlooked downtown Indian Lake.
    That’s what he loved about his new home in this small town. Little things. Thoughtful things that friends did for friends. Maddie’s café had the best cappuccino Jack had ever tasted, bar none. The best barista Chicago could boast didn’t hold a candle to Maddie, and she was teaching young Chloe Knowland to follow in her footsteps. Except when Chloe was running to acting classes, of course.
    Jack was amazed by how quickly he’d become attached to so many people in town. Mrs. Beabots was now his client, as well as Sarah and Luke Bosworth. Liz and Gabe Barzonni, too. Maddie had recently bought a policy for her entire franchise of cafés in Chicago.
    He passed Aleah’s desk and stopped. Her parents had requested all her personal items and Jack had packed them in a box and mailed them himself. He had kept her nameplate. It was identical to the ones they all had. He liked uniformity. He believed clients sensed subconscious impressions. Katia wanted their clients to think of Carter and Associates as family. Jack wanted them to feel protected.
    Jack picked up Aleah’s brass nameplate and held it.
    He wasn’t sure if he felt her presence any more strongly by keeping her nameplate. Most bosses would throw it away once they’d hired a new assistant.
    But Jack wouldn’t do that. He’d keep her nameplate in his desk drawer—not to keep his guilt close, but to remember her as the bright young woman she’d been and hope that he could find another assistant even half as enthusiastic.
    Jack’s eyes slipped over to Melanie who was taking down an insurance application over the phone. Owen was setting up appointments. Katia was on the phone with a new corporate client.
    They didn’t need him right this minute, but as soon as they were off their respective calls, they would.
    His thoughts about Aleah faded as he sipped his coffee, blowing on the surface. Something outside caught his eye. Rather, some one .
    Still dressed in her scrubs, Sophie stood at the corner, watching the traffic. She pulled a huge clip from her hair and let her waves tumble down. Sliding her fingers to her temple, she smiled as if relieved.
    Pretty smile. Pretty woman. He hummed a few notes of the song.
    She adjusted the shoulder strap on her black purse and the