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imaginary call, and Mr. Ballew was promising to
keep his schedule open for her, when she found the terrace.
    The brick and stone
terrace was appended to the western end of the house. It was semi-circular and
paved with large flat stones. Waist-high brick walls and brick columns with
big, round concrete balls bordered it. Access to the house was through a room
that was also curved and appeared to be constructed mostly of glass. Dirty
glass, of course, and a few panes were cracked, but it snared her interest.
    Rachel did a slow spin.
The woods began many yards away to the east and west. Between the forested
areas a broad expanse of green carpet sloped down, far down, to the river. The
wide sweep to the river had been hidden by the angle of the house and woods, not
to mention that she’d been staring at the ground and talking to an imaginary
Mr. Ballew. Here and there, a few colorful shrubs created islands of red and
pink.
    The ground sloped over
a distance and appeared to drop off abruptly. Below the drop off, the James
River flowed past.
    The beauty drew her.
Did she have time for a walk down to the river? Tingling began between her
shoulder blades. That watched feeling. She shook it off along with the scenic
distractions. Back to business. It was time for the live show.
    The receptionist
answered the phone. She said Mr. Ballew wasn’t in.
    Rachel sat on the top
step. Not in. She hadn’t anticipated that. “But I have an interview scheduled
with him this morning.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I was
about to contact you. Mr. Ballew was called out-of-state on an emergency late
last night. I’m canceling and rescheduling his appointments for the next few
days.”
    “Next few days?”
    “Yes. He doesn’t know
how long he’ll be gone. When he returns, shall I call you to reschedule?”
    Rachel sagged, flat as
a blow-up snowman with a bad leak on a cold morning.
    What was she supposed
to do? Stay in a hotel? Four years of college for Jeremy weren’t cheap, plus
she’d paid the deposit and fees for the upcoming graduate program.
    No need to panic.
Focus on the important part. The rest will become clear.
    Rachel put on her
professional voice. “Yes, that will be fine. May I call you in a day or so and
see if there’s an update on his schedule?”
    “Certainly, Ms. Sevier.
You’re welcome to call me. My name is Carina.”
    “Thanks.”
    Disconnect.
    She dropped her face to
her knees.
    Now what? Rachel
wrapped her arms around her knees and head. If she could’ve curled up in a ball
like a roly-poly bug, she would’ve. She emptied her mind and regulated her
breathing. This would be okay. It would work out. An answer would come to her.
    “Are you sick?”
    Rachel peeked sideways
and saw his paint-splattered, rundown loafers. The slacks looked better than
yesterday’s jeans. She raised her head and smoothed her hair.
    “I slept well. Thank
you. And thank you for your hospitality. I don’t remember whether I expressed
my appreciation to you yesterday.”
    “No problem. Mike’s
Towing called. They’ll be here soon.”
    “Thanks.” She looked
away. She wanted him to leave, knowing she couldn’t hide the despair in her face
or voice.
    After a pause, he
nodded and walked away.
    ****
    Mike’s Repair and
Towing arrived mid-morning. Rachel saw the big, flat-bed tow truck through the
window. As it stopped next to her car, a youngish blond-haired man jumped out
of the passenger seat and strode up the steps and into the house. Another man,
a bit older, exited more slowly from the driver’s side. Rachel went straight
out to the porch.
    “Hi. I’m Rachel Sevier.
I guess you’re Mike? Thanks for coming.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Mike
Mills. Wynne told me the car won’t start?” He popped the hood. “What happened?”
    “I don’t know. I know
nothing about cars.”
    “Well.” He looked
around the open hood and said, “It’s a good idea to keep the cables connected
to the battery.” His expression was curious.
    “What are you