Free Healing Touch by Jenna Anderson Page B

light up as it locked on
something behind me. My gut dropped.

    “Jerewee!” He ran a few steps and flung
himself into the air. I didn’t have to turn to know he had been
safely caught.

    I pretended not to notice the reunion behind
me. I prayed to God that Leah was making her way across the crowded
room to complete her task. I’d be minus one sister if she failed.
My heart pounded as I paid for the drinks and told the girl to wrap
up three chocolate covered donuts and two apple fritters.

    “Tracy.”

    I ignored him with all my might.

    “Tracy, look at me.”

    My billfold suddenly needed
straightening.

    “Tracy.”

    “Mommy! Jerewee is trying to talk to you!” My
toddler had a very loud voice when he wanted to be heard.

    I spun to look at the two of them the same
time everyone else did. “Oh, hi Dr. Nelson. I can take him from
you. We were just on our way out.”

    Jeremy leaned in and whispered, “Try not to
look angry. This will be over in a couple minutes.” He turned to
face the crowd. “Hi everyone. I’m glad Cody got your attention. I
have an announcement.”

    “Wait! What the hell…” I hissed but gave up.
It was too late.

    My sister looked at me helplessly from her
position. She failed and my glare let her know it.

    “How’s Parker, Dr. Nelson?” someone from a
group of men asked.

    “Oh, the burns aren’t that severe. He’ll be
out the rest of the football season but should be fine by the time
basketball starts.” Dr. Nelson apparently knew what some town
people put at the top of the importance list.

    A few nods and sighs of relief rippled
through the crowd.

    The doctor continued. “Most of you have heard
by now that I have decided to stay in Cherryville permanently.”
This prompted a round of applause and a few rental offers. I wished
will all my might that he’d put Cody down. People would get the
wrong idea.

    Cody loved the attention and hung on Jeremy’s
every word. After hearing this last statement, the little guy gave
him a big hug. A heartfelt “Aww” flowed through the bakery. By this
time I had made my way over to Leah with our tray.

    Through smiling, clenched teeth I said, “I am
going to fucking kill you.”

    “Cherryville is a fantastic town and I have
been given such a warm welcome I want to stay.”

    I thanked god that was over and elbowed Leah
to make her move to deliver my message. But she didn’t get a
chance.

    Looking directly at me he said, “I have
another announcement to make.”

    His words came back to me and suddenly made
sense. “Try not to look angry. This will be over in a couple
minutes.”

    “Oh shit.”

    “I normally don’t share my personal business
but this time I think it is important to lay things out on the
table.”

    My face pleaded him to stop. He ignored
me.

    “Tracy Campbell and I are dating.”

    I turned beat red and gave the crowd a
sheepish grin. I would have backed out the door but my sister had
hold of my shirt.

    Mrs. Larson looked astonished. I’m sure she
had high hopes for Dr. Nelson and Tanya Beckford. A genuine smile
crossed my face when I realized I foiled her plans.

    A little voice rose above the murmurs.
“Wait.” Cody held Jeremy’s face in his little hands. “Do you like
my mommy?”

    The town folks of Cherryville laughed and
sent out another round of “Awws.”

    “Yes, Cody. I like your mommy, a lot.”

    The little guy was so excited he screamed
across the room, “Mommy, Jerewee likes you!”

    I joined the two guys staring at me and
added, “I like Jeremy too honey.” The doctor smiled at me knowing
he accomplished what he set out to. People were talking and
murmuring all around us. The news would spread like wildfire
through the town and hopefully die down just as fast.

    “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jeremy
gave me a squeeze and Cody wrapped me in a head locking hug of his
own. For once I didn’t care who saw us.

    “It was absolutely horrible.”

    He chuckled. “I like