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"Just one more," I say to the woman on the weight bench, her face scrunched in effort as she pushes the bar over her chest one more time.
I catch the bar and set it back on the rack. "Great job. That's really impressive for your first training session."
My client, Henrietta Sullivan, sits up and smiles serenely. "You're a great trainer." She gets to her feet. She's probablyabout my parents' age, maybe a little older. And she's tougher than she looks.
There's something oddly familiar about her. I don't know anyone in town with the last name of Sullivan, but maybe I've seen her around. With that pink hair, I should be able to place her.
"The trainer can only work with what's already there. You must do something to stay so strong."
"I'm a botanist by trade," she says. "Professor of botany, actually. It involves a lot of pulling weeds and moving around big plants with heavy root balls."
"That explains it. Would you like to come over to the counter and schedule your next session?"
She winces. "I actually don't live in town, Asher. I'm sorry for the subterfuge, but I needed to get to know you without you knowing who I am."
I stare at her, utterly confused. "Why do you need to get to know me?"
"My last name isn't Sullivan." Her cheeks pink and she holds out a hand. "It's Weston. Henrietta Weston."
That's why she looks familiar, she has Clover's smile.
I shake her hand, not sure whether to be angry or amused. "Why did you lie to me?"
She sits on the weight bench and gestures for me to do the same on the one across from her. "I'd offer to buy you coffee or lunch, but I'm meeting Honey and Dani in fifteen minutes and I don't want them to know where I've been."
I sit. "You don't want them to know their mother is an undercover operative?"
Her laugh is just like Clover's and it surprises me so much it takes me a moment to catch up with what she's saying. "I worry about all my girls, but I worry about Clover the most. She's gota tough exterior, but the tenderest heart. I needed to find out if you're taking advantage or manipulating her."
"And you could learn that from a training session with me?"
Henrietta shrugs. "I married a con artist, and I've learned to be a pretty good judge of character so I don't ever fall for anyone's bullshit again. You listened to me and tailored my workout accordingly. There were several interruptions and you didn't stop paying attention to me or act like training me was a chore. I'm not sure you're good enough for my Clover, but you aren't a total asshole from what I can tell."
"I'm definitely not good enough for Clover." I mean every word. "I count myself lucky any time I get to be around her."
Henrietta smiles and stands. "Pretty words, Asher. Now make sure you back them up with actions. Will I see you at the race tomorrow?"
My heart stutters. "I thought Clover decided not to race."
Henrietta presses a hand to my shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. Clover's not running, but several of her cousins have signed up to run in her place. I'm not sure if the owner here will accept anyone but Clover beating you, but our cousins are sure going to try."
"I was on the fence about running tomorrow, since Clover won't be racing, but now it seems like I've got something to prove."
Henrietta pats my shoulder. "With that attitude, you'll fit right into our family. Thank you for taking care of my baby, Asher."
"Of course." I stand with her. "Can I walk you out?"
"I can handle it," she says with a smile. "Thank you for the session."
She heads out and I re-rack the plates she used.
"Was that Henrietta Weston?" Russ asks.
I straighten and turn to him. "It sure was. You know her?"
"I knew her a long time ago." He rubs a hand over his face, looking nervous. "I've got some news for you, Asher, and I'm not sure how I feel about it."
"Did something happen?"
