Temporary Arrangement

ABBY CAHILL breathed in the crisp, pine-scented air, then stepped inside Blackberry Hill Memorial Hospital to start a new chapter in her life.The retiring director of nursing, Grace Fisher-Edwards, met her inside the door with a broad smile. "I was afraid the tourist traffic would slow you down, but you're right on time." She ushered Abby down the hall to her office. "June can be a real bear around here."Abby laughed. "On par with five o'clock rush hour in Detroit, except the scenery is much, much prettier.""If you can see past the vehicles, that is." Grace snorted as she settled behind her cluttered desk and shifted a stack of files to one side."During the summer, our population triples.""And I think every last one of those tourists is on Main right now." Grinning, Abby searched through her shoulder bag for her notebook and a pen. "I sure wish I could've come a few days earlier, but our nursing students'graduation was on Saturday and then I still had to pack.""You must be exhausted.""No...though I do look forward to settling into my new place." Abby sat back in her chair and uncapped her pen.Grace's eyes filled with concern. "I gather you haven't stopped by the Hawthorne Apartments.""Not yet." Abby flipped open the notebook, her pen poised over its pristine surface."Meeting with you was my biggest priority, believe me.""The manager tried to call you yesterday. He even called the hospital, hoping Erin or I would know how to reach you."Abby stilled. "My home phone was disconnected yesterday morning, and I have a new cell. But there shouldn't be a problem -- I've signed a lease.""There was a fire over the weekend.""Oh, my," Abby said faintly. "Was anyone hurt?""No, but half your building was gutted, leaving seven families homeless...and now you, I guess." Grace pushed a piece of paper across the desk. "I've done some checking, but there aren't many apartments in this area. I'm afraid those displaced renters have already taken what little there was.""I'm glad I left most of my things in storage for the summer." Abby considered the situation for a moment. "Maybe I can find a cabin to rent. Or even a motel, until the apartment building's livable.""I'm not sure it ever will be." Grace worried her lower lip. "We've heard rumors for years about the owner wanting to raze the entire complex so he can put up fancy condos."Dread settled in the pit of Abby's stomach. "What are my options?""Even vacation lodging is hard to come by during the tourist season. Most places are reserved months ahead. But I did find a few possibilities." Grace's dubious expression didn't bode well. "And you're sure welcome to stay with Warren and me. We leave on our wedding trip in the morning, but you could stay on through tomorrow night.""You two just got married -- what? -- this past weekend. I'd hate to move in on you." The pink tinging Grace's cheeks made Abby smile."Especially with you getting ready to leave.""I wish I could offer you more, but my house has been sold and the contractors start on Warren's place Thursday morning. Once they tear up the plumbing and old wiring, I'm afraid it won't be habitable until they finish in July.""Please, don't even give it a thought. I'm only here for a few months, so I can make do with just about anything."She scanned Grace's list. A motel along the lake with weekly rates. Several small resorts with cabins. A furnished house for rent.But the bigger issue was her new job and the fact that Grace -- the person best suited to groom her temporary successor -- was leaving town tomorrow."I'd rather spend as much time as I can with you. I can figure out my housing problems later.""Are you sure?" Grace sounded doubtful."With your background, you should have no difficulty taking over. Erin tells me you were a top student when you two were in training together. And your article in theJournal of Hospital Nursinglast year was amazing.""PsyRustand, Roxanne is the author of 'Temporary Arrangement ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373713622 and ISBN 0373713622.