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a good one. Why don’t you and I work together for Jack? Who knows fabrics better than me after all my years in retail? I helped customers make selections all the time and then taught them to quilt or sew. You and I could be a design team. Furniture, fabric, wallpaper, paint colors. You know I love doing all that. And as for the customers, I’ll meet and greet and ease you in with each client so you won’t get buried.” Her hands tightened on mine. “I’m seventy years young, my dear, and have more energy than some women half my age. I can help you with this, Claire. And maybe help you with other things too.”
    Barbara Anderson had always been a dynamo, and she knew her daughter well. She knew I was shyer and would rather work behind the scenes. I had to force myself into a sales persona while she’d never met a stranger.
    Judy got on the bandwagon, proffering insane ideas. Mom and I could each decorate half a house. Or Mom could work with the husband, and I’d work with the wife. The artistic gene had definitely skipped her. Between the two of them, I didn’t know what to think or what to do. I walked to the back door and looked through the glass panes, seeing the studio just beyond the garage. I’d accomplished quite a bit since I’d first entered it again, but of course, everything there centered on Kayla. I’d had calm hours there, productive hours, and I didn’t want to leave.
    But Jack needed me. I knew the business. But my life at Barnes Construction wouldn’t be calm. Did I owe him a try?
    I turned to my two loving ladies. “Mom, you’ve worked your entire life and finally have a chance to play. I can’t ask you to give that up. You’ve earned a fun time.”
    “Claire, my dear Claire, you’d do the same for your daughter if she needed you because that’s what mothers do. They help out whenever they can.”
    She was right, of course, but I told her I’d think about her generous offer. I couldn’t make snap decisions, no matter how tempting. And I needed to take baby steps. Jumping into a critically important expansion, even with Mom, scared me. It was too huge a commitment.
    Judy had the last word before leaving for her job. “So, you’ve got some choices to think about, Clarabelle. Four months is a short time. Of course the grieving is still fresh; in fact, it’s fresh for all of us. If you think you need counseling, there are support groups right here in the city for parents who’ve lost a child. On the other hand, maybe Jack’s right, and you should get back out into the world and interact with people. You can even do both. Your call. However, the bottom line is that you cannot continue to hide in the house or in the studio.”
    “I’ll think about it.” But they didn’t understand. I wasn’t hiding from the world. I simply enjoyed working in the studio, which wasn’t anything new. They were right about a couple of other items, however. Like my hair. Like my weight. It didn’t matter what I looked like, did it? I sure didn’t deserve to look good or feel pretty, but I picked up the phone and made an appointment with Juanita. One baby step that would make everyone else feel good.

Chapter 5
     
     
    CLAIRE
     
    “I’ll drive,” said Jack a week later as we stood at the kitchen counter, drinking coffee. He pocketed his keys.
    “No, let’s take both vehicles.” We were heading for the office. It was my first day back, and I wanted the ability to come and go in my own reliable sedan. He drove a long-bed pickup. I rinsed my cup and reached for my purse.
    “Planning an early escape?”
    Only if I had to. “It’s a baby step, Jack. Just like I told you. I’ll do my best, but my brain is jumpy. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to focus.”
    “And you’re afraid I won’t drive you home?”
    Guilty as charged. “You might be too busy.”
    He placed his hand over his heart. “I promise to take you if you want to leave early.”
    Man, he was pushing it. Sighing, I