Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

Mason Creek has one doctor, and he’s everything from the OB/GYN to caring for the elderly. A man’s specialties can only go so far, so after ruling out some possibilities, such as lupus and Lyme disease, Tucker was referred to a specialist in Billings.

There, the doctor did some more tests, and Tucker had an MRI of his brain that we are waiting for the results.

I’ve gone over a ton of research on multiple sclerosis with him, and the doctor really did help ease his mind on the potential diagnosis, making it clear that it’s not a death sentence. If the tests show it is MS, then there is treatment, especially since we caught it early enough.

So, now, we wait.

And the waiting is killing me.

My phone rings with my boss calling, so I answer, glad to have the distraction.

“Hello, Susan.”

“Hello, Justine. We’re in the middle of planning our annual give-back event, and Connie, our head event planner, was just put on bed rest due to complications with her pregnancy. Corporate wanted me to give you a call to see if you could step in. You did such an amazing job with the last one, and we all think you’re the perfect person to take over.”

My heart instantly sinks.

When I moved here, I had no intentions of staying, but lately, I haven’t even thought about moving back. Knowing the guys were caught, there’s really no reason for me to still be here in Mason Creek.

Except for Tucker …

Susan was very understanding about my situation and allowed me to work remotely, and I don’t know why I never thought this might come to an end.

I’m not sure how to respond as I sit with my mouth open, absolutely drawing a blank.

“Are you there?” she asks, snapping me out of my shock.

“Yes. Sorry. I just—”

“Don’t worry, Justine. I’m not saying you have to come back full-time. It was merely a question to see how you were and what your plans are. You have been doing well, working from there, so please don’t stress. I know you’ve been through a lot.”

I close my eyes and let out a sigh of relief and then another one of guilt. Yes, what I went through to bring me back to Mason Creek was traumatic, but that’s not why I’m staying now.

I think about my goals, the path I’m on, and how Susan is grooming me to take over her spot. If I stay here, there’s no way that will continue. Yes, they might allow me to work remotely, but I’ll never be able to climb the ladder, like I planned.

I’m still not sure how to respond, so I blow right over it. “I appreciate you giving me this opportunity. I can definitely do my best to help out, even from here.”

“Yes, some of the stuff you can do from there,” she says, but I can hear the apprehension in her voice, “but we should set a schedule to have you come back at least for a day or two, if we keep you working remotely. I think it’s good for camaraderie within the staff and keeps you part of the team.”

An easy smile graces my face. “I can do that.” And I mean it. For the first time, going back doesn’t make me sick to the stomach. I smile, feeling more comfortable with our conversation. “So, tell me more about this event.”

“It’s a dinner with live entertainment that we’ll broadcast on various social media channels with a telethon feel, so people can call in and donate. It will be the first time we’ve done anything like this, but we’re hoping we can get big money donations to the dinner here in New York and then get more donations from all over the world through social media.”

“What a great way to get more people involved to really bring awareness to the cause.”

“Yes! So, obviously, we’ll need you here at least the week before the event, if not more. We’ll cut back on your writing duties, so you can focus more on this. Since this is a bigger event, they’ll have a professional event crew helping you, but you’ll be the official point person from the magazine,” she says.

“I’m super excited. Please tell them thank you for having faith in me.”

“I will. I think it’s well deserved. The only issue is the entertainment. They had Jack Longwood signed up, but rumor today is, he just checked himself into rehab for self-care, so confirm with Connie, but I’d say he’s going to cancel. We’ll have to get someone else lined up quickly.”

Instantly, Adam pops into my head. It’d be a good fit for him and Sarah to show off the lighter stuff they’re doing together as well, open up to a broader audience.

“Okay, I’ll get working on it right away,” I say.

“Perfect. Connie will be available to answer any questions you might have. A lot of the other details should be set. It’s just the last-minute stuff that she’ll need help with. The recipient this year is the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, so do all the research you can to tie the event to the cause as much as possible.”

I sit back in my seat in surprise, though I know I shouldn’t be. I’m a huge believer that there are signs everywhere that you’re doing exactly what you should be doing at any given moment; you just have to pay attention to notice them. If this isn’t a sign that I should be with Tucker, then I don’t know what is.

“I love the idea. Coincidentally, I’ve already been doing a lot of research about multiple sclerosis, as I have a friend who is showing symptoms of the disease. We’re waiting for the results of the tests now.”

“Wow. What are the odds?” she says in disbelief, and I couldn’t agree more. “Then, it’s settled. Start by reaching out to Connie, and then we’ll talk more soon.”

“I will. Thank you, Susan.”

“Have a great day, Justine.”

We hang