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“Okay. Thank you. I’ll think it over.”
“Good. All I can ask.”
Laverne held out her hand to me. “Let’s go, sweetheart. I have a few things to check on and could use the company.”
“Oh, if you’re busy, I don’t want to impose.”
“I have a feeling you don’t impose on anyone. You deserve space just as much as anyone. Besides, I hear from Clay you’re a wonder at organizing big parties. I’d love to bend your ear.”
I blinked, surprised at the topic. “I guess you could call charity functions an excuse to do a party.”
“That’s exactly what it is.” Rachel laughed. “And I don’t miss a bit of it. You two enjoy.”
“Go find that husband of yours. He’s probably been texting you for the last hour.” Laverne hooked her arm through mine.
Rachel checked her phone and winced. “He has been blowing up my phone.”
“Field trip,” Laverne chirped happily.
Chapter14
Helena
The Fixer
I grabbed my purse and let Laverne lead me out of the room and down the hall to the winding staircase. When we got to the second landing, I spotted Clay looking around, then he glimpsed Rachel. The smile on his face and the way she seemed to be the only person in the room for him hit me as it did at the wedding.
It was softer this time, but it still left an ache in my chest.
Would that ever be something that happened to me?
Rachel rushed down the stairs into his arms. She snugged right under his arm as if she was made for him.
As if she fit with him perfectly.
Laverne patted my arm, which she still gripped. When I glanced her way, she gave me a knowing look.
Maybe it was better for me to go home. There were too many reminders here of what I didn’t have. Things I mightneverhave.
As we got to the bottom of the stairs, a harried blond came running toward Laverne.
“What’s wrong, Cara?”
The young woman was wringing her hands, her gaze darting everywhere. “Oh, Laverne, I messed up, I think.”
“Well, tell me what it is, and we’ll fix it.”
“I don’t know how it happened. I swear it. I’m so careful with bookings and this one is…” Her bluebell eyes filled and spilled rapidly.
“Okay, okay.” Laverne rushed forward. “Nothing is that bad.” She turned back to me. “I’m sorry, Helena. I need to deal with this.”
“It’s quite all right. I’ll just go back upstairs.”
“No. Why don’t you go outside and walk the grounds? It’s beautiful out there. No need to be cooped up.”
The urge to withdraw was so huge that I made myself do the opposite. “You’re right.”
“I’ll be out to find you as soon as I can.”
