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end of the week for us and we don’t have to work tonight. All week long, between Nick and the heat, I haven’t gotten much sleep. Saturday was also a therapy-free day, so she didn’t have to worry about rushing to the rehab center. She hit Nick’s number, and it rang once before she was directed to voice mail.
    “It’s me. Give me a call when you get a chance.”
    Keyed up and positive she couldn’t drop right off to sleep, Carly decided to stop at her mom’s before going home for a nap. The fact that she considered her mother’s house a desirable destination was proof that their relationship was better than it had ever been. As Carly struggled with Nick, knowing that she could talk to her mom about it and lean on her was a bright spot in her life. They used to butt heads about any and every little thing, but when Carly found faith, they reconnected. Now they were in sync, and she found that her mother was dear and wise counsel.
    Mom’s house was still in the process of being remodeled after the fire that destroyed the front half four months ago. A corrupt cop had tossed a Molotov cocktail through the window in an attempt to scare Carly away from an investigation. Carly relished the reality that he was safely behind bars and her mother hadn’t been hurt in the attack.
    No workers were present today, but the waiting-to-be-stuccoed frame of the living room stood as a reminder of the work in progress. Carly blew out a frustrated breath as she did every time she came by. The remodel was taking so long, she worried her mother was being taken advantage of. But her mom wasn’t worried, so Carly kept her mouth shut.
    Since two bedrooms, one bath, and the kitchen were inhabitable, Kay chose to stay in the house while the living room, one bedroom, and one bathroom were being redone. Carly found her mother out on the back patio under an umbrella, drinking iced tea with the next-door neighbor, Jack, and using sign language to discuss projected plans for the remodel.
    “Morning, Mom.” Carly waved at Jack.
    His greeting was a smile and a nod.
    “Good morning. What a nice surprise!” She stood and gave Carly a hug. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at work?”
    I don’t have to say a word; she always knows. “Not at work, but something happened to Christy.” Carly told her mother all she knew about Joe’s wife, which wasn’t much. Kay listened and signed for Jack.
    “I came home planning to nap and then go back to the hospital and see if anything has changed. I didn’t mean to interrupt your discussion.” Carly nodded to the blueprints on the table.
    “Don’t be silly; you’re not an interruption. We were just talking about the addition I want. You know I’d like to have a room available for troubled kids or people needing temporary shelter. Jack has some ideas to help preserve my privacy.”
    Jack pointed to the plans and showed Carly his idea.
    “I agree with Jack,” Carly said. “Adding that wall will give you and any houseguest a greater measure of privacy. Just remember, I want to be able to talk to whoever comes to stay here. And you have to promise—” Carly put her hands on her hips for emphasis—“if I don’t approve, it’s a no-go.”
    Jack signed something to Kay.
    “Jack says you’re being overprotective,” Kay explained with a smile. “But I know your frame of reference, so don’t worry; you get approval rights before anyone moves in.”
    “Thanks.” Carly yawned and rubbed her eyes. She really didn’t like her mother’s plan to be a foster mom but knew arguing would get her nowhere. Carly’s father had died five years before, and she was glad that Kay was far from being a helpless widow. She was taking foster-parenting classes through the county, and she counseled troubled teens at church. Kay’s idea of becoming a foster mom had a lot of support from the church—especially from Jack, who was a deacon. Carly still thought the plan was crazy. The concept of a stranger