Free The Aries Libra Connection (Opposites In Love Book 1) by Janet Lane-Walters

and grow. We’ll vote next time. Do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting?”
    Before Eric had a chance to speak, a motion was made and seconded. He remained slumped in his chair until the last Board member left. How had Bishop learned about the strike vote?
    Why hadn’t Jenessa mentioned it during their brief meeting? He could have prepared to counter the Board president’s arguments. His files were filled with stories about the effects of strikes on hospitals. Right now, he felt as though he was riding the leading edge of a hurricane and was being swept into a situation where he had no control.
    “Eric.”
    He turned and saw Sam in the doorway. “I’ve been a fool again.”
    Sam leaned against the wall. “How so?”
    “By trusting Jenessa.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “She knew Bishop would change the agenda. She never told me about this strike vote.”
    Sam sauntered from the Board room. “How did she know? The man’s predictable. He’s known for changing the agenda to suit his needs. Man’s after something.”
    “What?”
    “That’s why you’re here. What were you doing during the discussion?”
    “On a bad trip in the past.” Anger at himself slowly seeped into his thoughts. He had to put the past to rest. He remembered what Jenessa had said. “Hiding from the past doesn’t solve anything.” She’d been right.
    Sam slapped his hand on the wall. “Know what we did tonight? Granted Bishop discretionary powers. If the nurses walk, we gave him the right to deal with them anyway he pleases.”
    So that was the subject of the vote he’d missed. “Will they strike?” Eric rubbed his hand over the ornately carved chair back.
    Sam shrugged. “Simone says the committee’s divided with several members bouncing from one side to the other.”
    “Jenessa?”
    “Man, she’s not Gail. She’s not out to gain points from using you.” Sam rubbed his short clipped dark hair. “She’ll fight for a decent contract. She’s not part of the strike party.”
    The winds of relief brushed over Eric. “Who?”
    “I vote for Claire Stone. She and Sandra are great buddies.”
    “Have the nurses made an offer?”
    “Five months ago. Jenessa marched into a Board meeting and distributed copies. Like he did with your agenda tonight, Bishop collected all but the one Wallace shoved in her bulging briefcase. Dumped them in the trash.”
    Eric reached for the cart holding the silver coffee and tea service used at Board meetings. “I’ll ask Sandra for her copy.”
    “You’d be better off asking Jenessa. Has Wallace been more cooperative lately?”
    “Hardly. She resents my presence.” Eric pushed the cart to the door. “Her actions puzzle me. I don’t understand why she didn’t resign when she didn’t get the job.”
    “A lot puzzles me,” Sam said. “First Bishop tries to push her into your seat. Then he backs down after the Board saw your qualifications. What do you know about her?”
    “Very little. All I found in her file was a letter from Bishop.”
    “Around here, that’s all it takes.” Sam turned out the lights. “How about heading to the Cove with me?”
    Eric grinned. “Can’t. Have a date at nine thirty.”
    Sam raised an eyebrow. “Jenessa? Thought she brushed you off at the lake.”
    “Long story.”
    “I have time.”
    Eric parked the cart beside the elevator. “I met her three years ago. She didn’t remember me until last Tuesday.”
    “Sounds like a great start.”
    “Not true. I assisted with her husband’s code. Not something I wanted to remind her of.”
    Sam rapped his forehead with his knuckles. “For sure. What happened?”
    “She remembered and stopped by to thank me.”
    “And... Forget I asked.”
    Eric opened the stairwell door. “Forgotten. Any idea where I can get the tapes of the board meeting minutes?”
    “Not the tapes. Since I’m officially the secretary, I inherited boxes of typed minutes from the last one. Why?”
    “Something Dr. Carter said.