hospital bed was now set up. “Are you busy with your practice?”
Jeremiah sat down and chuckled. “Busy? No. I have a couple cases from the county, and believe it or not, a motorcycle gang has been referring me. I worked with the president’s son, and they all sing my praises. It makes a rag-tag clientele list, to be sure.”
Gabriel nodded and leaned forward. “I have a proposition for you.”
Jeremiah waited, not drawing any conclusions on what type of proposition Jamison’s boss could toss his way. There was no way he was leaving Hollister.
“In conjunction with Frank Marshall, I’m building a small rehab center on his ranch. In our line of work, injuries happen, usually in battlefield conditions. My people deserve the very best chance at recovery I can give them. I’d like to put you on retainer to work with my people as they transition through the facility.”
He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. “What type of caseload are we talking about?”
Gabriel sighed and shook his head. “We’re expanding quickly because of the current events around the world. I couldn’t give you a number. That will depend on operations. There will be other clients that I’d like assessed to make sure they are competent to continue work. Jamison used to handle those.” The man glanced at the shut door and sighed. “He told me you were the man for the job.”
Jeremiah sat back. “What you propose sounds interesting. When would you like to start?”
“The contractors are putting the finishing touches on several structures. They should finish the clinic by spring.”
“Send me the contract. I can give you my address.”
Gabriel lifted a hand. “I can get it. I’ll send you the contract and the compensation package. Congratulations, by the way. You and Eden are having a boy, right?”
Jeremiah blinked and sat back. “How did you know that? We’ve told no one the sex of the baby.”
Gabriel stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “I work for the world’s largest security firm. You were vetted and so was your wife. I don’t hire people I can’t trust or those who have secrets that could be used against them.”
Jeremiah stood. “Rather intrusive, isn’t it?”
Gabriel smiled. “Perhaps, but in the long run, it pays off.” He turned and walked to the closed door where Jamison rested. “I look forward to working with you, Jeremiah.” He opened the door and walked in.
Jeremiah leaned back and stared at the shut door. The man’s confidence should probably put him off but didn’t. If he was honest, he was running out of things to do to fill the days between patients. He had plenty of money. That had never been an issue, but the desire to work, to help, had been getting stronger. So, yeah, unless this Gabriel sent him a hack of a contract, he’d take on the patients that went through the little rehab center on the Marshall ranch.
He’d let Jamison know, too. For some reason, the man had wanted him to talk to Gabriel. He was glad now he could put Jamison’s worry to rest.
The door opened again, and Gabriel came out. He motioned toward Jeremiah. “He’d like to see you again. I don’t think…” Gabriel shook his head and swallowed hard.
Jeremiah bolted into the room. Marge sat on one side of the bed. Tears streamed down her face as she held Jamison’s hand. He moved up to the bed and took the man’s other hand.
“Jay, honey, Jeremiah’s here.” Marge tapped his hand softly.
Jamison opened his eyes partially. “Take care. The Shadows. Promise.”
He looked at Marge and she shook her head. She did not know what he was talking about. Jeremiah leaned forward and gently squeezed Jamison’s hand. “You have my word. I’ll take care of all of your shadows. I promise.”
Jamison’s body relaxed. He reached back and pulled the small stool over so he could sit down. Marge spoke to him. “He loves you. To him, you are the son we never had.”
“I love him the same way,” Jeremiah admitted.
Marge’s eyes filled with tears as Jamison’s labored breath lifted his chest. “Rest now, sweetheart. Everything’s done. You don’t have to worry about anything or anyone.”
They sat silently in the room together, holding Jamison’s hands for the next twenty minutes. When he stopped breathing, Marge reached up and kissed him tenderly. “I will always love you.”
Jeremiah stood and moved over to her, hugging her as her heart broke and their tears fell.
Chapter 24
Eight months later:
“This is a big step for you.” Jeremiah sat across