Catching Serenity by Joann Durgin Read Free Book Online Page B

of the church. Wow. When he ended the prayer and she raised her head, she felt the stares focused on her. Well, to be fair, none of the regulars had ever witnessed her in prayer before. More than likely, it’d start a whole new thread of speculation and gossip. At least it’d be about something positive.
    “ We should probably discuss decorating your office,” she said. That was the purpose of their meeting, after all. “Why don’t you tell me some of your ideas?”
    Jackson was even more attractive when a slow smile spread across his face, revealing a small but deep dimple on the left side. A similar smile framed by two dimples had been her undoing, so she should tread with extreme caution. This man jumpstarted her pulse unlike any man since Danny, and she needed to stick to business.
    Pulling her notepad from her purse, Serenity listened as Jackson began to share his vision for a kid-friendly but functional office. “I brought most of the furniture I had in my Chicago office, but I need to update it. Throw some pillows on the chairs, a rug or two on the floor, liven it up. It’s all pretty plain and boring, and that’s why I need your help. The goal isn’t to put my patients to sleep, but to stimulate their imagination so they’ll be at ease and comfortable.” He grinned. “I have animals, though. That’s what saved me before.”
    S erenity raised a brow. “Animals? Are we talking live or inanimate?”
    “ Let’s save that for when you visit the office.”
    “ Okay. What are the floors made from?”
    “ They’re hardwood. Oak, I think. Maybe maple. Sorry, I’m not sure.”
    She made a notation. “I’ll take a look. Northern red oak was used in a lot of the buildings near where your office is located. Are the floors in good condition?”
    “ Seem to be,” Jackson said. “It’s not my intent to cover them up, but to enhance them or whatever.”
    In-between bites of cheesecake and sipping coffee, she posed her prepared list of questions. Jackson seemed at ease with himself and his world, as much as anyone she’d ever met. If he’d experienced heartache in his life, he’d buried it deep inside where no one could see it on the surface. He intrigued her. Dr. Ross is a client. Don’t start speculating on his personal life.
    Jackson lowered his fork and crossed his arms on the table. “After listening to me babble for the last ten minutes, I’d like to hear your thoughts for decorating my home-away-from home.”
    “ If it’s a second home, then maybe we should start with a portable cot?”
    He ran a hand over his chin. She’d meant it to be amusing, but he appeared to take the question seriously. “Using my practice in Chicago as a guideline, it might come in handy. Sometimes I lose track of time and spend hours researching case histories, that kind of thing.”
    “ Workaholic tendencies or an abundance of clients?” Serenity swallowed, hoping he hadn’t taken offense. Should have stuck with her prearranged questions, her “script.”
    The muscles in Jackson ’s jaw twitched. “I prefer to call it attention to detail.” Leaning back in the chair, he crossed his arms. “Your turn.”
    She glanced at the notes she’d taken. “I’m envisioning light, bright, fun and colorful.” As she shared her ideas, Jackson nodded on occasion and made a comment here and there. From his remarks, he seemed pleased with the majority of her suggestions. The vertical line that surfaced between his brows clued her in to the ones he didn’t particularly like, and she scratched them off her list.
    “ Sounds good,” he said when she finished, “but I have a make-or-break question.”
    Her pulse escalated. “What’s that?”
    “ Do you think you can find a giraffe for my office?” When her eyes widened, he laughed. “Strictly a cute stuffed animal. My first patient in Croisette Shores tells me it’s a personal favorite, and I aim to please.”
    S erenity slowly eased out her sigh. If nothing else,