Free Sugar on Top by Marina Adair

even though the words burned her throat coming out.
    Charlotte’s face softened. “You have worked so hard on creating this program. I thought it was what you wanted.”
    More than anything.
    Outside of Brett, Glory didn’t have many friends after the scandal. Homeschooling only made her feel more secluded and alone. So when her grandmother’s doctor mentioned that the hospital was in desperate need of a junior aide to help with the long-term patients, Glory applied. It was better than the alternative—sitting at home all day. Plus, it gave her the chance to show a different side of herself, the kind that people could be proud of.
    Later she learned there was no such program, just an astute doctor who saw Glory’s need to belong. Dr. Blair changed Glory’s world because what started out as a way to earn a few extra bucks a week ended up becoming the thing that changed her life.
    “It is,” she admitted. “But I missed yesterday’s midterm, which means I’ll have to ace my final if I have any chance of passing. The board is already skeptical about a nursing student heading up an internal program.” Especially since the other three candidates were already hospital employees with stellar résumés and experience under their belts. “When they hear about the Great Tractor Heist, it will give them one more reason to go with a more experienced candidate.”
    “Glory,” Charlotte said, her Southern lilt thick with emotion, “I believe in your idea. Not only is it the best use of the grant money, it is the perfect solution for this hospital and this community. But I agreed to put my name on the proposal because I believe that you are the perfect person to head the program.” Charlotte rested her hand on Glory’s. “You’re driven, amazing with kids, and have a huge heart. More importantly, you understand how powerful this kind of program can be for the patients as well as the volunteers. This hospital would be lucky to have you, not the other way around.”
    Glory swallowed, uncertain what to do with the praise. Those words coming from someone as accomplished as Charlotte were humbling.
    “So, if you still want this, and I think that you do, then all that matters is if you ace that final and make sure your proposal is ready for presenting at the end of the month.”
    “It will be.” She would make sure of it. “But—”
    Charlotte squeezed her hand. “Let me worry about the board and don’t give Jackson a second thought. He’s a good guy, Glory, he’ll come around. You’ll see.”
    Glory wasn’t so sure. She’d been waiting for that good guy everyone spewed on and on about to show himself for over a decade with no luck. “And if he doesn’t? Because he’s so pissed that he can’t get me on tractor theft he’s threatening assault charges.”
    “Assault charges?” Charlotte’s tone was one of humorous disbelief, but her expression confirmed Glory’s biggest fears. If Jackson got his way, Glory would lose everything she’d worked for. Because even with a Holden stamp of approval, there was no way any medical board would hire someone who had an assault charge on their police record. Let alone put them in charge of minors.
    “Then let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that.”

Chapter 5
    T he next morning, Cal stared at the blueprints. Strategizing the build for the new pediatric ward at Sugar Medical Center was a safer alternative than demanding to know what the hell his teenaged daughter was thinking. Because the strips of flimsy fabric and lace held together by spaghetti straps and suction that Payton was sporting as “back to school” wear were enough to make him consider homeschooling.
    She was already going elsewhere for advice. He didn’t want to give her more of a reason to shut him out. So he hung his head as Payton fussed over his breakfast, recalculating the dimensions for the foundation. For the third time that morning.
    “Thank you, baby,” Cal said when Payton set down a cup