The Single Dad Finds a Wife Read Free Page B

time volunteering with Common Ground. She had also learned that she couldn’t make people’s problems disappear the way she could with an illness. A bandage, shot or lollipop could not and did not solve the troubles the clinic’s patients faced once they left Common Ground.
    Not able to bear hearing any more, she hurried out the doors toward her car.
    They obviously needed help, and she was glad she’d used the ploy of giving the Common Ground business card to the child. Handing it to a child patient eased any potential embarrassment of the parent while still getting the necessary contact information into the parent’s hands.
    Because in addition to a toll-free after-hours clinic number, the contact numbers for both the soup kitchen and homeless shelter were on there. She hoped Mr. Camden wouldn’t be too proud to seek the assistance he obviously needed.
    She sat in her car for a moment, tears inexplicably welling in her eyes.
    She had been blessed with so much. And there were people like Mr. Camden and Jeremy who were just struggling to make it. The
News & Observer
, the daily newspaper out of Raleigh and Durham, was filled with stories about families who’d lost everything in the recession, who were victims of layoffs or downsizing. Of others forced into foreclosures or short sales on their homes. She wondered again what category the Camdens fell in, what had happened to them that put their stability in jeopardy.
    I wanna go to our real house.
    â€œNot a hotel,” Spring said, sadness seeping into her bones.
    She started the car, a sensible and dependable late-model Volvo.
    At least Jeremy had a hotel room to sleep in, she thought. That meant they weren’t living in a car like so many of the region’s homeless population were.
    Suddenly not feeling much like an indulgent six-or seven-course gourmet dinner with her friends, Spring pressed a button on her dash panel and told the car phone system to “Call Cecelia.”
    She’d cancel on the Magnolia Supper Club tonight and just go home. A bowl of soup, some tea and a good book would suit her just fine.
    As she drove out of the parking lot, she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Mr. Camden emerge from the clinic holding Jeremy in one arm, the Common Ground Free Clinic tote in the other.
    Seeing that made her feel a little better.
    Shelby had somehow gotten him to take the bag of supplies, samples, coupons and information that every new client received.
    The car’s remote phone system connected. “This is Cecelia Jeffries,” a husky voice said.
    â€œHey there, Cecelia. It’s Spring.”
    â€œOh, for goodness’ sakes,” her friend said. “You’re calling from that car phone again. I didn’t recognize the number and thought one of my students had somehow gotten my personal cell. What’s up, girl?”
    Spring smiled, her friend’s voice lifting her spirits. “I’m going to have to cancel on the supper club tonight.”
    â€œCancel? It’s already canceled. Didn’t you get the messages?”
    â€œMessages? No, I’ve been at the clinic. We had a late walk-in.”
    â€œThere was a break-in at the store. Gerald is falling apart.”
    â€œIs he okay?” Spring asked, alarmed. Gerald Murphy did not do well with deviations from the norm. “I can head over there right now.” Spring turned toward Main Street instead of the street that would lead to her house across town.
    â€œHe’s fine,” Cecelia said. “You know how he is. Richard has been dealing with the police.”
    Spring made the left onto Main Street and the downtown district where Step Back in Time Antiques was located.
    â€œI see the police squad car in front of the store,” she reported.
    â€œCome over when you leave there,” Cecelia said. “I’m making a quick chicken potpie, so at least you’ll have a hot meal since you probably just had a